Departing from the norm in texts on the block and convolutional codes used in digital communication systems, the author of Convolutional Coding: Fundamentals and Applications (Artech House, 1997) devotes this volume to the theory of error-control block codes and related topics. Assuming a sound knowledge of probability theory, he covers the concepts behind such systems; abstract algebra, vector spaces, and matrices; encoding and decoding of several types of code; transmission of block-coded signals over band-width-constrained channels, and applications of block codes to communication and noncommunciation systems. A first-year graduate course could tackle all the material, while chapters 1-8 and the introduction to Chapter 7 are recommended by Lee (electronics, Macquarie U., Sydney, Australia) for a senior undergraduate course. Appends several statistical appendices. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less