Based on the Fourth International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement and Computing, this volume brings together scientists working in the interdisciplinary fields of quantum communication science and technology. In contrast to the previous conferences in this series, which were mainly theoretical, QCH ‘98 devoted more attention to the experimental aspects. Topics include quantum information theory, quantum computing, quantum communication systems, cryptography, new quantum effects and their experiments, generation and detection of nonclassical light, quantum noise, stochastic processes and filtering, and quantum measurement theory.

This volume presents the logical arithmetical or computational procedures within communications systems that will ensure the solution to various problems. The authors comprehensively introduce the theoretical elements that are at the basis of the field of algorithms for communications systems. Various applications of these algorithms are then illustrated with particular attention to wired and wireless network access technologies.

Provides a complete treatment of algorithms for communications systems, rarely presented together
Introduces the theoretical background to digital communications and signal processing
Features numerous applications including advanced wireless modems and echo cancellation techniques
Includes useful reference lists at the end of each chapter
Graduate students in the fields of Telecommunications and Electrical Engineering Researchers and Professionals in the area of Digital Communications, Signal Processing and Computer Engineering will find this book invaluable.

Recently molecular biology has undergone unprecedented development generating vast quantities of data needing sophisticated computational methods for analysis, processing and archiving. This requirement has given birth to the truly interdisciplinary field of computational biology, or bioinformatics, a subject reliant on both theoretical and practical contributions from statistics, mathematics, computer science and biology.

* Provides the background mathematics required to understand why certain algorithms work
* Guides the reader through probability theory, entropy and combinatorial optimization
* In-depth coverage of molecular biology and protein structure prediction
* Includes several less familiar algorithms such as DNA segmentation, quartet puzzling and DNA strand separation prediction
* Includes class tested exercises useful for self-study
* Source code of programs available on a Web site

Primarily aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students from bioinformatics, computer science, statistics, mathematics and the biological sciences, this text will also interest researchers from these fields.

The approach adopted in Digital Synthesizers and Transmitters for Software Radio will provide an understanding of key areas in the field of digital synthesizers and transmitters. It is easy to include different digital techniques in the digital synthesizers and transmitters by using digital signal processing methods, because the signal is in digital form. By programming the digital synthesizers and transmitters, adaptive channel bandwidths, modulation formats, frequency hopping and data rates are easily achieved. Techniques such as digital predistortion for power amplifier linearization, digital compensation methods for analog I/Q modulator nonlinearities and digital power control and ramping are presented in this book. The flexibility of the digital synthesizers and transmitters makes them ideal as signal generators for software radio. Software radios represent a major change in the design paradigm for radios in which a large portion of the functionality is implemented through programmable signal processing devices, giving the radio the ability to change its operating parameters to accommodate new features and capabilities. A software radio approach reduces the content of radio frequency (RF) and other analog components of traditional radios and emphasizes digital signal processing to enhance overall transmitter flexibility. Software radios are emerging in commercial and military infrastructure.

Image Processing and Jump Regression Analysis builds a bridge between the worlds of computer graphics and statistics by addressing both the connections and the differences between these two disciplines. The author provides a systematic breakdown of the methodology behind nonparametric jump regression analysis by outlining procedures that are easy to use, simple to compute, and have proven statistical theory behind them. Key topics include conventional smoothing procedures, estimation of jump regression curves, edge detection in image processing, and edge-preserving image restoration, to name a few. With mathematical proofs kept to a minimum, this book is uniquely accessible as a primary text in nonparametric jump regression analysis and image processing as well as a reference on image processing or curve/surface estimation.

The Art of Error Correcting Coding provides a comprehensive coverage of the basic techniques of error concealment. It addresses the need for selecting, implementing and simulating algorithms for the encoding and decoding of codes used for error correction and detection. This practical approach uses simple and easy to follow numerical examples to describe the basic concepts of a particular coding or decoding scheme. Basic analysis tools are provided throughout to help in the assessment of the error performance block and convolutional codes of a particular Error Correcting Coding (ECC) scheme for a selection of the basic channel models.
* Provides a complete treatment of important decoding algorithms including errors-and-erasures decoding of BCH and Reed-Solomon codes for any set of consecutive zeros and any length
* Describes Viterbi decoding and the key implementation issues
* Includes soft-output decoding algorithms, MAP, log-MAP, Max-log-MAP, belief propagation and ordered statistics
* Discusses new reliability-based algorithms such as GMD and the Chase algorithm with soft outputs
* Examines turbo codes, both serially and parallel concatenated, as well as low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and their iterative decoders
* Features a companion website providing computer programs written in C language, to help understanding and implementing basic ECC techniques
This volume provides an indispensable tool for understanding and applying ECC techniques in transmission and storage of digital information. Engineers, computer scientists and graduate students alike, will all benefit from such a practical introductory approach.

Nanotechnology, or molecular technology, involves the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules, something the human body already does.In Engines of Creation , Drexler attempts to predict, justify, quantify, and caution us about this important new field in engineering. His book could have been the first and foremost discussion of this fascinating subject. But Drexler strays from the topic with annoying regularity. He devotes too little space to the possibilities of nanotechnology and too much to esoteric and opinionated discussions of philosophy, politics, information science, defense, human relations, etc. Nanotechnology will indeed become a reality, and the public needs to be informed. It is therefore unfortunate that Engines of Creation was not written more clearly or directly. Kurt O. Baumgartner, International Minerals & Chemical

This brilliant work heralds the new age of nanotechnology, which will give us thorough and inexpensive control of the structure of matter. Drexler examines the enormous implications of these developments for medicine, the economy, and the environment, and makes astounding yet well-founded projections for the future.

The virtual chasm between PDAs and robots has been spanned, with McGraw-Hill’s PDA Robotics: Using Your Personal Digital Assistant to Control Your Robot, an easy-to-read guide to integrating these two pieces of technology into a single, remote-controlled powerhouse.
Written
in easy-to-understand language by a renowned software designer and
robotics expert, this unique resource reveals innovative concepts and
designs, helping you to build your own PDA-controlled robot from the
ground up. As a result, you’ll be able to:
- Allow any PDA to communicate with and control your robot
- Establish a wireless RF link between your PDA and robot
- Acquire low-cost, standard, and easily obtainable components
- Learn about special software, control circuits, and interface ideas for creating artificial life forms
- Customize modules easily
- And more!

Perfect
for hobbyists, students of electronics, and engineers alike, this book
is your entr�e into the brave new world of PDA-controlled robots!

Finally, a robots book for people who don’t know the first thing about robotics! Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Robots
is well-written, inviting, and action-packed, with engaging ideas and
fascinating factoids about robots and robot-related arts and sciences.
You are led gently into the intimidating world of robotics, but nearly
400 pages later, you emerge with a respectable knowledge of robot
history, the major fields and “schools” of robotics today, and the
basic skills and resources needed to create hobby robots. By the end of
the book, you will be the proud owner of three bots, the first two of
which demonstrate key robotic principles. The third is a
programmable/expandable robot, which serves as a platform for future
experimentation. And best of all, these robots are built with simple to
get and inexpensive parts - many of which you already have around the
house!

The evolution from network-centric commerce (EDI) to e-commerce and
e-business up to e-enterprise and virtual enterprise is traced and
explained in this discussion of the transformation of a business
enterprise from an industrial into an information model. Addressed are
the strategy and architecture of an e-enterprise, emphasizing the
integration issues and solutions of enterprise information
infrastructure, its applications layer, and the whole enterprise.
Discussed are the benefits to a company of transformation into an
electronic enterprise, such as a better competitive position and
increased profitability and productivity.