The book "Wireless Infrared Communications" by John R. Barry, published in 1994, provides a comprehensive overview of the technical challenges and advancements in wireless infrared communication systems. The author, who conducted research at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at the Georgia Institute of Technology, addresses the unique characteristics and limitations of infrared technology, particularly in the context of wireless networking for portable computers. Key topics covered include: 1. **Introduction**: Comparison of infrared and radio communications, history, and high-speed wireless LANs. 2. **Link Analysis and Optics Design**: Focuses on thin-film optical filters, truncated spherical concentrators, and joint optimization of transmitters and filters. 3. **Receiver Design**: Discusses limitations on photodetector bandwidth, current-feedback pairs, optimal filtering, and design procedures. 4. **Modeling Multipath Dispersion**: Explains models for diffuse reflectors and transmitters, multiple-bounce impulse response, and multipath-induced power penalties. 5. **Modulation and Equalization**: Introduces intensity modulation and direct detection, binary and multi-level modulation, and coherent optical communication. 6. **System-Level Issues**: Covers single-cell and overlapping cell architectures. 7. **Conclusions and Future Work**: Summarizes findings and outlines potential future research directions. The book aims to bridge the gap between design engineers and communication theorists, providing a detailed and accessible introduction to the principles of wireless infrared communications. It highlights the potential of optical-based wireless communications for high-performance indoor local-area networks and the challenges that must be addressed, such as signal-to-noise ratio, full room coverage, and intersymbol interference.The book "Wireless Infrared Communications" by John R. Barry, published in 1994, provides a comprehensive overview of the technical challenges and advancements in wireless infrared communication systems. The author, who conducted research at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at the Georgia Institute of Technology, addresses the unique characteristics and limitations of infrared technology, particularly in the context of wireless networking for portable computers. Key topics covered include: 1. **Introduction**: Comparison of infrared and radio communications, history, and high-speed wireless LANs. 2. **Link Analysis and Optics Design**: Focuses on thin-film optical filters, truncated spherical concentrators, and joint optimization of transmitters and filters. 3. **Receiver Design**: Discusses limitations on photodetector bandwidth, current-feedback pairs, optimal filtering, and design procedures. 4. **Modeling Multipath Dispersion**: Explains models for diffuse reflectors and transmitters, multiple-bounce impulse response, and multipath-induced power penalties. 5. **Modulation and Equalization**: Introduces intensity modulation and direct detection, binary and multi-level modulation, and coherent optical communication. 6. **System-Level Issues**: Covers single-cell and overlapping cell architectures. 7. **Conclusions and Future Work**: Summarizes findings and outlines potential future research directions. The book aims to bridge the gap between design engineers and communication theorists, providing a detailed and accessible introduction to the principles of wireless infrared communications. It highlights the potential of optical-based wireless communications for high-performance indoor local-area networks and the challenges that must be addressed, such as signal-to-noise ratio, full room coverage, and intersymbol interference.