Introduction to Communications Technologies: A Guide for Non-engineers

Thanks to the advancement of faster processors within communication devices, there has been a rapid change in how information is modulated, multiplexed, managed, and moved. While formulas and functions are critical in creating the granular components and operations of individual technologies, understanding the applications and their purposes in the business environment only requires a basic scientific background. The third edition of Introduction to Communications Technologies: A Guide for Non-Engineers helps students in telecommunications business programs become familiar with and stay abreast of the ever-changing technology surrounding their industry.

Used in the core curriculum at Ball State University’s graduate professional program in Information and Communication Sciences, this textbook is designed for graduate and undergraduate students who do not necessarily have a high level of technical expertise, but need to have some understanding of the technical functions of information and communication technologies to prepare them for working in a corporate environment.

See What’s New in the Third Edition:

• Significant updates to the following chapters: Modulation Schemes; Signaling Formats, Multiplexing, and Digital Transmission; Packet Switching and Local Area Networks; Mobile Wireless Technologies; Network Security and Management
• Added coverage of OFDMA, Metro Ethernet, 5G pre-standard configuration, ‘apps’ on mobile devices, and VoIP core switching
• New chapters on Big Data and the Cloud

Avoiding complicated equations and the need for calculus gymnastics, this textbook provides non-engineering students with a firm background and a broad understanding of the knowledge necessary to work within the fast-paced and ever-changing communications industry.

Stephan S. Jones, PhD, is the director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, where he is also a professor delivering core technology courses in the graduate-only program. His industry experience is as a field engineer and owner of a telecommunications company providing voice and data solutions for business/commercial systems in the Midwest. In academe, he has published or edited numerous books and texts associated with simplifying complex communication technologies for non-engineering students to comprehend. He is actively engaged in supporting broadband technology deployments to underserved and unserved regions of the country and providing technical support for non-profit organizations with student participation.

Frank Groom, PhD, is a professor in the Graduate Center for Information and Communication Science at Ball State University. His research is concentrated in the areas of high-bandwidth networking, distributed systems, and the storage of multimedia objects. Dr. Groom is the author of seven books, most recently having finished The Basics of Voice over IP Networking and The Basics of 802.11 Wireless LANs. Among his best known books are The Future of ATM and The ATM Handbook. Dr. Groom earned his PhD from the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee in information systems. He is the former senior director of information systems for Ameritech.

Ron Kovac, PhD, is a full professor in the Center for Information and Communication Sciences at Ball State University in Indiana. The center prepares graduate students in the field of telecommunications. Previous to this position, Dr. Kovac was the telecommunication manager for the state of New York and a CIO for a large computing center located on the east coast. Dr. Kovac’s previous studies included electrical engineering, photography, and education. Dr. Kovac has published two books and over 50 articles and has completed numerous international consulting projects in both the education and telecommunications field. Additionally, he speaks worldwide on issues related to telecommunications and holds numerous certifications, including the CCNA, the CCAI, and the almost complete CCNP. Dr. Kovac is also a Fulbright Scholar and loves life, education and technology.