Information technology is arguably the most important scientific topic needed for understanding and participating in our increasingly complex technological world. Using simple physical arguments and extensive examples, Information and Measurement, Second Edition shows how this theory can be put into practice. Twice awarded the UK National Metrology Prize by the National Physical Laboratory for his outstanding contributions to measurement science and technology, the author includes the basic mathematical, physical, and engineering concepts required, illustrating their interrelationship in a clear, concise manner. The broad coverage includes topics taught in a variety of courses.
This book will be an invaluable study aid for senior undergraduate and graduate students in physics, electrical engineering, and computer science, specifically studying instrumentation, measurement science, and information science. It will also be a useful reference for practicing scientists and engineers.
Signals and messages
Noise
Uncertain measurements
Surprises and redundancy
Detecting and correcting mistakes
The sampling theorem
The information carrying capacity of a channel
The CD player as an information channel
The CD player as a measurement system
Oversampling, noise shaping, and digital filtering
Analog or digital?
Sensors and amplifiers
Power coupling and optimum S/N
Signal averaging
Phase sensitive detection
Synchronous integration
Data compression
Data thinning
Chaos rules!
Spies and secret messages
One bit more
What have we here?
Time and frequency
Frequency measurement systems
Appendix 1: Solutions to numerical questions
Appendix 2: Programs
Index
Biography
Lesurf, J.C.G