Quadrature-Amplitude

Modulation (QUAM or
QAM)

A report by: Nikho M. Cubillas

Quadrature-Amplitude Modulation

• Is a form of digital modulation similar to PSK

except the digital information is contained in
both the amplitude and phase of the
transmitted carrier.
• Amplitude and phase-shift keying are
combined.
• This reduces the likelihood or the similarity of
errors occurring.
Quadrature-Amplitude Modulation Applications

• QAM is in many radio communications and

data delivery applications. However some
specific variants of QAM are used in some
specific applications and standards.
• For domestic broadcast applications for
example, 64 QAM and 256 QAM are often used
in digital cable television and cable modem
applications.
Quadrature-Amplitude Modulation Applications

• In the UK, 16 QAM and 64 QAM are currently

used for digital terrestrial television using DVB
- Digital Video Broadcasting.
• variants of QAM are also used for many
wireless and cellular technology applications
8-QAM
 8-QAM

 The incoming data are

divided into groups of
three bits (tribits):
• I
• Q
• C

Each bit has a bit rate

equal to the one-
third( of the total
incoming data rate.
 8-QAM
Ex: (000) I = 0, Q= 0, C = 0
Determine the output amplitude and phase for the 8-
QAM modulator shown in the figure:

I/Q C Output
0 0 -0.531 V
0 1 -1.307 V
1 0 +0.541 V
1 1 +1.307 V
 8-QAM
Note:
Q:
1 – (+) phase
0 – (-) phase

I:
1 – (45º) phase
0 – (135º) phase

C:
1 – 1.848 V
0 – 0.765 V
8-QAM
8-QAM
8-QAM
Bandwidth Consideration:
• The bit rate in the I and Q channels is
one-third of the input binary rate, same
as 8-PSK.
• The highest fundamental modulating
frequency and fastest output rate of
change are the same as with 8-PSK.
• Minimum bandwidth required: fb/3
16-QAM
 16-QAM

The incoming data are

divided into groups of
three bits (tribits):
• Q
• Q’
• I
• I’
As with 8-QAM, both the
phase and the amplitude
of the transmit carrier
are varied.
 16-QAM
Ex: (0000) I = 0, I’ = 0, Q= 0, Q’ = 0
Determine the output amplitude and phase for the 16-
QAM modulator shown in the figure:
16-QAM
16-QAM
Bandwidth Consideration:
• The bit rate in the I, I’, Q and Q’ channels
is one-fourth of the input binary rate.
• The highest fundamental modulating
frequency and fastest output rate of
change are the same as with 16-PSK.
• Minimum bandwidth required: fb/4
• Video
 ‘M’-QAM Comparison

(a) QPSK, (b) 8PSK, (c) 16QAM, (d) 32QAM, (e) 64QAM, and (f)
128QAM
 Human na jud.
Daghang Salamat.