This book is an entry-level text on the technology of telecommunications. It has been
crafted with the newcomer in mind. The twenty-one chapters of text have been prepared
for high-school graduates who understand algebra, logarithms, and the basic principles of
electricity such as Ohm’s law. However, it is appreciated that many readers require support
in these areas. Appendices A and B review the essentials of electricity and mathematics
up through logarithms. This material was placed in the appendices so as not to distract
from the main theme, the technology of telecommunication systems. Another topic that
many in the industry find difficult is the use of decibels and derived units. Appendix C
provides the reader a basic understanding of decibels and their applications. The only
mathematics necessary is an understanding of the powers of ten
Static electricity is the most ancient form of electricity known to humans. More
than 2000 years ago, the Greeks recognized the attraction between certain mate-
rials when they were rubbed together; indeed, the word electricity comes from
the Greek elektron, which means amber. During the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries, several key experiments were conducted to understand and measure
static electricity. But the discovery of electromagnetism and its formidable break-
through has rapidly outgrown interest in static electricity. Even today, where
the industrial applications of static electricity are not insignificant, they cannot
compare with those of electromagnetism and electrodynamics.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) phenomena have been known to mankind since the Greek
Empire when Thales of Miletus, one of the Seven Sages of Greece, noticed the attraction of
strands of hay to amber, leading to the coining of the word ‘‘electron.’’ In the 17th century,
Gilbert and Cabeo addressed the attractive and repulsive nature of electricity. In the 18th
century, a rapid increase of interest occurred for scientists in the understanding of electrical
physics—Gray, du Fay, Nollet, Musschenbroeck, Franklin, Watson, Aepinus, Canton,
Since electronic equipment was first developed, static electricity has been a
source of problems for users and designers. In the last few years, however,
electrostatic discharge (ESD) has become a source of major problems. This
has occurred because newer electronic devices, such as integrated circuits,
are much more susceptible to ESD problems than previous devices, such as
vacuum tubes. Another trend compounding this ESD susceptibility problem
is the spread of sophisticated equipment into home and office environments
where ESD is quite common.
In the field of electricity, electrostatics, and circuit theory, there are many discoveries and
accomplishments that have lead to the foundation of the field of electrostatic discharge
(ESD) phenomenon. Below is a chronological list of key events that moved the field of
electrostatics forward:
This is a practical book, to be sure, but it is also a book about hope and posi-
tive change. I am quite sincere. The delivery of electricity is deeply rooted
in the principle of universal access; when clean, reliable energy is available it
contributes to poverty alleviation, improved social conditions, and enhanced
economic development. In the developed world, we know this to be true. The
digital fabric of our lives is a testimony to the importance of energy security.
Across the globe, we have seen the vital contributions that electrification has
brought to the development of economies and an enhanced quality of life.
Nonetheless, this supreme engineering achievement has languished, and we are
deeply challenged.
District energy (DE) systems use central heating and/or cooling facilities to provide
heating and/or cooling services for communities. The advantages of district energy
over conventional heating and cooling include improved efficiency, reliability and
safety, reduced environmental impact, and for many situations better economics.
DE systems can be particularly beneficial when integrated with cogeneration plants
for electricity and heat, i.e., with combined heat and power (CHP) plants. One of
the main impediments to increased use of cogeneration-based district energy is a
lack of understanding of the behavior of integrated forms of such systems. This
book is aimed at providing information on district energy and cogeneration tech-
nologies, as well as systems that combine them.
electricity has been chosen as the most convenient and useful form of energy, due
to its ease of transportation over large distances and easy conversion to other
energy forms. The biggest inconvenience with electricity is that it cannot be stored
and must be utilized at the moment of generation. The storage of a large amount of
electrical energy is usually connected with its conversion to other types of energy,
which significantly reduces the efficiency of such processes. The aim of the power
system, often treated as the biggest and the most complex machine ever built, is to
deliver uninterruptible electric energy of demanded quality parameters to
consumers.
Electric distribution networks are critical parts of power delivery systems. In recent
years, many new technologies and distributed energy resources have been inte-
grated into these networks. To provide electricity at the possible lowest cost and at
required quality, long-term planning is essential for these networks. In distribution
planning, optimal location and size of necessary upgrades are determined to satisfy
the demand and the technical requirements of the loads and to tackle uncertainties
associated with load and distributed energy resources.
A revolution in power industries, including generation, transmission and distribution, driven by
environmental and economic considerations, is taking place all over the world. The smart grid allows for
integration of diverse generation and storage options, reduced losses, improved efficiencies, increased
grid flexibility, reduced power outages, allowing for competitive electricity pricing and integration of
electric vehicles and overall becoming more responsive to market, consumer and societal needs. It is
bringing profound changes to both power systems and many related industries.
