ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the problem of determining the quality of a communication channel; specifically, reliably estimating the signal-to-noise ratio of the channel in a complex multipath propagation environment. It introduces a method for proprietary data transmission and a method of pulse shaping or, more specifically, of generating low-complexity, spectrally efficient pulses for digital communications. The book explores a method of reducing the peak-to-average power ratio and also introduces optimal phase shifters for multicarrier communication systems. It examines a general methodology for optimal selection of the automatic repeat request parameters in quadrature amplitude modulation channels. The book provides a method of performance optimization of multicarrier systems with forward error correction and automatic repeat request. It discusses the procedure of estimating the bit error rate of selfsimilar constellations in Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line systems.
