Book excerpt: Get a Solid Account of Physical Layer Communications Theory, Illustrated with Numerous Interactive MATLAB Mini-Projects You can rely on Fundamentals of Communications Systems for a solid introduction to physical layer communications theory, filled with modern implementations and MATLAB examples. This state-of-the-art guide covers essential theory and current engineering practice, carefully explaining the real-world tradeoffs necessary among performance, spectral efficiency, and complexity. Written by an award-winning communications expert, the book first takes readers through analog communications basics, amplitude modulations, analog angle modulation, and random processes. This essential resource then explains noise in bandpass communications systems...bandpass Gaussian random processes...digital communications basics...complexity of optimum demodulation...spectrally efficient data transmission...and more. Fundamentals of Communications Systems features: A modern approach to communications theory, reflecting current engineering applications Numerous MATLAB problems integrated throughout, with software available for download Detailed coverage of tradeoffs among performance, spectral efficiency, and complexity in engineering design Text written in four parts for easy modular presentation Inside This On-Target Communications Engineering Tool • Mathematical Foundations • Analog Communications Basics • Amplitude Modulations • Analog Angle Modulation • More Topics in Analog Communications • Random Processes • Noise in Bandpass Communications Systems • Bandpass Gaussian Random Processes • Digital Communications Basics • Optimal Single Bit Demodulation Structures • Transmitting More than One Bit • Complexity of Optimum Demodulation • Spectrally Efficient Data Transmission