12/3/2014

QPSK vs OQPSK vs pi/4QPSK-Difference between QPSK,OQPSK,pi/4QPSK

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Difference between QPSK vs OQPSK vs pi/4QPSK

All these are modulation schemes used in wireless digital communication systems. OQPSK and pi/4 QPSK are variants of the basic QPSK
modulation schemes. They are widely used based on their unique individual phase transition functionalities compare to one another. This
page explain these modulation types and explain difference between QPSK vs OQPSK vs pi/4QPSK.

QPSK

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Fig1. QPSK-OQPSK block diagram

As mentioned Quadrature Phase Shift Keying is referred as QPSK. Here maximum phase shift is limited to about 90 degree.
In QPSK, first input bit stream is split into two bit streams referred as odd and even. These streams are applied simultaneously to the mixers.
Refer BPSK vs QPSK page for power spectrum density of QPSK modulated spectrum.

OQPSK
Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying is referred as OQPSK. Here maximum phase shift is about +/- 90 degree.
In OQPSK, after splitting the bit stream into odd and even, one bit stream is made offset by 1 bit period with respect to the other. After this,
the direct and shifted bit streams are fed to the mixers.
Power spectral density(PSD) of OQPSK modulated spectrum is same as QPSK. Pls. note offset in bit stream will not have any effect on the
PSD.

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Fig.2 QPSK-OQPSK time domain signal waveforms

As shown in the fig.2, as transitions are offset for both the odd and even bit streams at any given time; only one of the bit stream can change
the values.
As shown above in the constellation diagram, phase transition goes through the origin and this results into suddon phase reversal in the time
domain signal envelope. When such signal goes through the nonlinear amplification will result into spectrum widening. To overcome
regeneration of sidelobes and spectrum widening, linear amplifier is employed. But linear amplifiers are less efficient. Hence OQPSK has
been developed. OQPSK prevents phase transition from the origin by shifting one stream by a bit period and allowing only one bit to change
between the transitions.

pi/4 QPSK
pi/4 QPSK modulation scheme is obtained by adding additional /4 phase shift in the phase of the carriers of the symbols.
Input Bits QPSK Phase (k) OQPSK Phase (k)
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QPSK vs OQPSK vs pi/4QPSK-Difference between QPSK,OQPSK,pi/4QPSK

00

O degree

-/4

01
10
11

/2

3/2 or -/2

3/4
-3/4
/4

Table mentions phase output values for different input bit combinations for both the QPSK and pi/4QPSK modulations.

Fig.3 pi/4 QPSK constellation diagram

/4 shifted version of QPSK is referred as pi/4 QPSK. With this modulation compromise between QPSK and OQPSK is done and
maximum phase transition of about 135 degree is achieved.
In the presence of the multipath spread and fading conditions, pi/4 QPSK perform better than OQPSK. This signal is demodulated in
coherent and non-coherent fashion and hence the design of the receiver will be simple. Figure depicts all the possible states of the
&pi/4QPSK constellation.
The table below summarizes QPSK, OQPSK and pi/4 QPSK modulation types.
QPSK

OQPSK

pi/4 QPSK
Maximum phase change of
phase changes of +/- 90 and +/-180 degrees phase changes of +/- 90 exist
+/-45 and +/-135
Requirements of linear amplifier as non
less demands of linear amplifiers, efficient non linear
Phase transitions avoid zero
linear amplifier cause spectral regrowth
amplifier can be employed and they do not cause much
crossing. This will remove
because of abrupt +/-180 degree transitions spectral regrowth, as one of the bits changes the phase at a
design constaints on the
of the both bits change the phase at the
time and occurs twice during the symbol period with half the amplifier, non linear amplifier
same time.
intensity of QPSK
can be employed
Same as QPSK
Same as QPSK
Null Bandwidth is 1.0 X Data rate
Bandwidth containing 90% of power is in
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0.8 X Data rate

Power spectral density falls of as inverse
second power of frequency
99% of power is contained in 1.0 X data
rate
Amplitude variations are of the order of
30dB
Main lobe to side lobe suppression is poor
Main lobe width is 1.0 X data rate

Same as QPSK

Same as QPSK

Same as QPSK

Same as QPSK

Same as QPSK

Same as QPSK

Amplitude variation are of the order of 3 dB

Same as QPSK
Same as QPSK

Same as QPSK
Same as QPSK

Useful Links
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BPSK modulation
8-PSK modulation
QPSK modulation
QAM modulation
BPSK vs QPSK -Difference Between BPSK and QPSK modulation techniques.
QPSK vs OQPSK vs pi/4QPSK-Difference between QPSK,OQPSK and pi/4QPSK modulation techniques
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