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High-speed pulse circuits
396
BOOK REVIEWS
tions of the subject to the less firm layers o f present research, and it is densely interspersed with jewel-like physical arguments. Now, no m a n can predict in what m a n n e r the wave o f the future will break u p o n the shifting sands o f the present and in what direction will flow the current of future development, but it is the responsibility o f a good scientist, nevertheless, to anticipate the future as well as in h u m a n l y possible, to sense quickly rivulets o f change, to uncover rapidly the false channels, to avoid strictly stagnant pools, to discern correctly the m a i n s t r e a m , a n d accordingly ride successfully into the future the tide o f progress. For those involved with linear accelerators - I will even generalize the remark to say for those simply involved with accelerators I can think o f no better preparation for the future t h a n to invest the time this book d e m a n d s .
But who, other t h a n a student has such time? Well, m a y be you have: namely, the days y o u would normally spend at s o m e large conference, but which meeting you must n o w forgo in view o f the current shortage o f research funds. Having just spent a week with the book I can report that 1, at least, gained more in those days than 1 have from m a n y a conference. A n d that brings me to the only unpleasant subject in this report: the price of the book. I d o n ' t suppose m a n y scientists' budgets will be able to support the expense. But perhaps - we can start a p r o g r a m of f u n d i n g agencies purchasing texts for those not attending conferences s o m e t h i n g like the U.S. farm support program. I would rec o m m e n d that the p r o g r a m starts with Lapostolle and Septier's Linear Accelerators. A. M. SESSLER
High-Speed Pulse Circuits, A. BARNA (John Wiley a n d Son Ltd., New York, 1971) pp. 169,£ 6.00.
Non-linear c o m p o n e n t s such as j u n c t i o n diodes, tunnel diodes a n d j u n c t i o n transistors are dealt with in the next three chapters (Ch. 5-7). Starting from a simple model comprising resistances and capacitances the turn-off and t u r n - o n currents are obtained for a n o r m a l p - n diode. C o m p u t e r s are used to analyse a m o r e complete diode model with particular reference to transients. T u n n e l diodes are often f o u n d as threshold elements in fast trigger-circuits a n d sampling gates. It is therefore i m p o r t a n t to avoid ringing in the o u t p u t signal. C o m p u t e r calculated transient solutions are given fol different slopes o f the applied input r a m p current. Bipolar transistors are considered, stressing the analysis of transient response in the emitter follower case. In the final chapters s o m e standard pulse circuits are analysed with special reference to switch transients, loading capability a n d transient response. This field has been treated previously in m a n y text-books. The a u t h o r here provides further material with special application to circuits using s e m i c o n d u c t o r c o m p o n e n t s as building elements. A. WESTMAN
Modern signal processing very often involves operating upon a n d transfering signals having a pulse character using fast pulse circuits. The book is intended as an introduction for researchers and engineers involved in the construction and application o f this type of circuit. Each chapter (ten in all) is accompanied by a n u m b e r o f exercises, s o m e of these complete with answers. The book can therefore also be used by students in the field of circuit analysis and construction. A previous familiarity with the use of Laplace T r a n s f o r m s renders this brief but well written presentation simple to follow. The book is a c c o m p a n i e d by an a b u n d a n t a n d well c o m p o s e d reference list. In the first part of the book (Ch. 1-4) the author treats linear c o m p o n e n t s including impedances, transformers a n d transmission lines. The Laplace T r a n s f o r m technique is used to analyse transients in circuits consisting o f linear c o m p o n e n t s . The transfer function H(s) and the impulse response h(t) are defined in connection with the study of Cascade Circuits a n d Ladder Networks. The problem of calculating the solution using a c o m p u t e r for the case of an L - C Ladder network excited by a step-function is introduced here in a natural way.
BOOK REVIEWS
tions of the subject to the less firm layers o f present research, and it is densely interspersed with jewel-like physical arguments. Now, no m a n can predict in what m a n n e r the wave o f the future will break u p o n the shifting sands o f the present and in what direction will flow the current of future development, but it is the responsibility o f a good scientist, nevertheless, to anticipate the future as well as in h u m a n l y possible, to sense quickly rivulets o f change, to uncover rapidly the false channels, to avoid strictly stagnant pools, to discern correctly the m a i n s t r e a m , a n d accordingly ride successfully into the future the tide o f progress. For those involved with linear accelerators - I will even generalize the remark to say for those simply involved with accelerators I can think o f no better preparation for the future t h a n to invest the time this book d e m a n d s .
But who, other t h a n a student has such time? Well, m a y be you have: namely, the days y o u would normally spend at s o m e large conference, but which meeting you must n o w forgo in view o f the current shortage o f research funds. Having just spent a week with the book I can report that 1, at least, gained more in those days than 1 have from m a n y a conference. A n d that brings me to the only unpleasant subject in this report: the price of the book. I d o n ' t suppose m a n y scientists' budgets will be able to support the expense. But perhaps - we can start a p r o g r a m of f u n d i n g agencies purchasing texts for those not attending conferences s o m e t h i n g like the U.S. farm support program. I would rec o m m e n d that the p r o g r a m starts with Lapostolle and Septier's Linear Accelerators. A. M. SESSLER
High-Speed Pulse Circuits, A. BARNA (John Wiley a n d Son Ltd., New York, 1971) pp. 169,£ 6.00.
Non-linear c o m p o n e n t s such as j u n c t i o n diodes, tunnel diodes a n d j u n c t i o n transistors are dealt with in the next three chapters (Ch. 5-7). Starting from a simple model comprising resistances and capacitances the turn-off and t u r n - o n currents are obtained for a n o r m a l p - n diode. C o m p u t e r s are used to analyse a m o r e complete diode model with particular reference to transients. T u n n e l diodes are often f o u n d as threshold elements in fast trigger-circuits a n d sampling gates. It is therefore i m p o r t a n t to avoid ringing in the o u t p u t signal. C o m p u t e r calculated transient solutions are given fol different slopes o f the applied input r a m p current. Bipolar transistors are considered, stressing the analysis of transient response in the emitter follower case. In the final chapters s o m e standard pulse circuits are analysed with special reference to switch transients, loading capability a n d transient response. This field has been treated previously in m a n y text-books. The a u t h o r here provides further material with special application to circuits using s e m i c o n d u c t o r c o m p o n e n t s as building elements. A. WESTMAN
Modern signal processing very often involves operating upon a n d transfering signals having a pulse character using fast pulse circuits. The book is intended as an introduction for researchers and engineers involved in the construction and application o f this type of circuit. Each chapter (ten in all) is accompanied by a n u m b e r o f exercises, s o m e of these complete with answers. The book can therefore also be used by students in the field of circuit analysis and construction. A previous familiarity with the use of Laplace T r a n s f o r m s renders this brief but well written presentation simple to follow. The book is a c c o m p a n i e d by an a b u n d a n t a n d well c o m p o s e d reference list. In the first part of the book (Ch. 1-4) the author treats linear c o m p o n e n t s including impedances, transformers a n d transmission lines. The Laplace T r a n s f o r m technique is used to analyse transients in circuits consisting o f linear c o m p o n e n t s . The transfer function H(s) and the impulse response h(t) are defined in connection with the study of Cascade Circuits a n d Ladder Networks. The problem of calculating the solution using a c o m p u t e r for the case of an L - C Ladder network excited by a step-function is introduced here in a natural way.