Rodriguez, Michael Ernie F.

ECE 41: Principles of Communication

March 10, 2016

BSEE IV

3 MODULATION TECHNIQUES FOR DATA COMMUNICATIONS

1. Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK)
It is the oldest and simplest form of modulation used in modems.
In FSK, two sine wave frequencies are used to represent binary 0s and
1s. For example, a binary 0, usually called a space in data
communication jargon, has a frequency of 1070 Hz. A binary 1,
referred to as a mark, is 1270 Hz. These two frequencies are
alternately transmitted to create the serial binary data. Both of the
frequencies are well within the 300- to 3000-Hz bandwidth normally
associated with the telephone system.
The simultaneous transmit and receive operations that are
carried out by a modem, known as full duplex operation, require that
another set of frequencies be defined. A binary 0 or space is 2025 Hz;
a binary 1 or mark is 2225 Hz. These tones are also within the
telephone bandwidth but are spaced far enough from the other
frequencies so that selective filters can be used to distinguish between
the two. The 1070- and 1270-Hz tones are used for transmitting
(originate), and the 2025- and 2225-Hz tones are used for receiving
(answer).
FSK signals typically occupy a wide bandwidth because of the
multiple sidebands produced by the FM process. Higher orders of
sidebands are also generated by the harmonics contained in the fast
binary modulating signal. Any abrupt signal changes further aggravate
the problem. Several techniques have been developed to improve the
spectral efficiency of FSK. The term spectral efficiency refers to how
well a specific modulation technique produces a maximum data rate in
a minimal bandwidth.
2. Phase-Shift Keying (PSK)
In PSK, the binary signal to be transmitted changes the phase
shift of a sine wave character depending upon whether a binary 0 or
binary 1 is to be transmitted. Recall that phase shift is a time
difference between two sine waves of the same frequency. A phase
shift of 180, the maximum phase difference that can occur, is known
as a phase reversal, or phase inversion.
The simplest form of PSK is called binary phase-shift keying
(BPSK). During the time that a binary 0 occurs, the carrier signal is
transmitted with one phase; when a binary 1 occurs, the carrier is
transmitted with a 180 phase shift.
To simplify the demodulation process, a version of binary PSK
called differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) can be used. In DPSK.
there is no absolute carrier phase reference. Instead, the transmitted

signal itself becomes the phase reference. In demodulating DPSK, the

phase of the received bit is compared to the phase or the previously
received bit.
The main problem with BPSK and DPSK is that the speed of data
transmission in a given bandwidth is limited. One way to increase the
binary data rate while not increasing the bandwidth required for the
signal transmission is to encode more than 1 bit per phase change.
There is a symbol change for each bit change with BPSK and DPSK. So
the baud (symbol) rate is the same as the bit rate. In BPSK and DPSK.
each binary bit produces a specific phase change. An alternative
approach is to use combinations of two or more bits to specify a
particular phase shift, so that a symbol change (phase shift) represents
multiple bits. Because more bits per baud are encoded. the bit rate of
data transfer can be higher than the baud rate, yet the signal will not
take up additional bandwidth.
One commonly used system for doing this is known as
quadrature, quartenary, or quadra phase PSK (QPSK or 4-PSK). In QPSK,
each pair of successive digital bits in the transmitted word is assigned
a particular phase. Each pair of serial bits, called a dihit, is represented
by a specific phase. A 90 phase shirt exists between each pair of bits.
Other phase angles can also be used as long as they have a 90
separation. For example, it is common to use phase shifts of 45, 135,
225, and 315.
3. Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)
It is one of the most popular modulation techniques used in
modems for increasing the number of bits per baud. QAM uses both
amplitude and phase modulation of a carrier; not only are different
phase shifts produced, but also the amplitude of the carrier is varied.
In 8-QAM, there are four possible phase shifts, as in QPSK, and
two different carrier amplitudes, so that eight different states can be
transmitted. With eight states, 3 bits can be encoded for each baud or
symbol transmitted. Each 3-bit binary word transmitted uses a
different phase-amplitude combination.
A 16-QAM signal can abo be generated by encoding 4 input bits
at a time. The result is 8 different phase shifts and 2 amplitude levels,
producing a total of 16 different phase-amplitude combinations. Even
higher data rates can be achieved with 64-QAM and 256-QAM. These
signals are used in cable TV modems, satellites, and high-speed fixed
broadband wireless applications.
CELLULAR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
A cellular mobile communication system uses a large number of lowpower wireless transmitters to create cellsthe basic geographic service
area of a wireless communications system. Variable power levels allow cells

to be sized according to the subscriber density and demand within a

particular region. As mobile users travel from cell to cell, their conversations
are handed off between cells in order to maintain seamless service.
Channels (frequencies) used in one cell can be reused in another cell some
distance away. Cells can be added to accommodate growth, creating new
cells in unserved areas or overlaying cells in existing areas.