FUNDAMENTAL OF DIGITAL MODULATION

from 2PSK modulation to 128QAM modulation

RING MODULATOR-1

IDEA OF 2PSK MODULATOR (0 -π MOD)

MOD
OUTPUT
DATA RING
INPUT MODULATOR

LOCAL
1 0 INPUT

vco 70MHz
RING MODULATOR-2

LOCAL
MOD
INPUT
OUTPUT

DATA + 1
INPUT
0 +
RING MODULATOR-2

LOCAL
MOD
INPUT
- OUTPUT
+

+ -

DATA + 1 -
INPUT
RING MODULATOR-3

LOCAL
MOD
INPUT
OUTPUT
+

DATA 0 +
INPUT
RING MODULATOR-4

MOD
OUTPUT
DATA RING
INPUT MODULATOR

LOCAL
1 0 INPUT

vco 70MHz

180 (π) 0
VECTOR DIAGRAM
OF MODULATOR OUTPUT [0] [1]
4PSK MODULATOR-1

(1)

0 0 1 1 0 -π
DATA-1
MOD
MOD
P-ch OUT (0)
(1)
P-ch
0 1 1 0 0 -π
DATA-2
MOD

Q-ch
0 1 2 3 (0) (0,0)
φ
Q-ch

70MHz VCO
4PSK MODULATOR-2

(1)
(0,1)
0 0 1 1 0 -π
DATA-1
MOD
MOD
P-ch OUT (0)
(1)
P-ch
0 1 1 0 0 -π
DATA-2
MOD

Q-ch
0 1 2 3 (0)
φ
Q-ch

70MHz VCO
4PSK MODULATOR-3

(1)
(1,1)
0 0 1 1 0 -π
DATA-1
MOD
MOD
P-ch OUT (0)
(1)
P-ch
0 1 1 0 0 -π
DATA-2
MOD

Q-ch
0 1 2 3 (0)
φ
Q-ch

70MHz VCO
4PSK MODULATOR-4

(1)

0 0 1 1 0 -π
DATA-1
MOD
MOD
P-ch OUT (0)
(1)
P-ch
0 1 1 0 0 -π
DATA-2
MOD

Q-ch
0 1 2 3 (1,1) (0)
φ
Q-ch

70MHz VCO
4PSK MODULATOR-5

(1)
(1,1) (0,1)
0 0 1 1 0 -π
DATA-1
MOD
MOD
P-ch OUT (0)
(1)
P-ch
0 1 1 0 0 -π
DATA-2
MOD

Q-ch
0 1 2 3 (1,0) (0,0)
φ (0)
Q-ch

70MHz VCO
16QAM MODULATOR

+3L
+L
-L
+3L
-
0 0 0 0---1 3L
DATA-1 D/A 0 -π
DATA-2 CONV MOD
0 0 0 0---1 +L
MOD
P-ch OUT
+3L +L -L -3L
P-ch
0 0 1 1---1 -L
DATA-3 D/A 0 -π
DATA-4 CONV MOD
0 1 0 1---1
+3L Q-ch -3L
+L
0 1 2 3 - - - 16 φ
-L
Q-ch
-
3L

70MHz VCO
64QAM MODULATOR

+7L
+5L
+3L
8 levels +L
-L +7L
-
3L
-5L +5L
0 0 0 0---1 -
DATA-1 0 0 0 0---1 D/A 7L 0 -π +3L
DATA-2 MOD
0 0 0 0---1 CONV
DATA-3 MOD +L
P-ch OUT
+7L +5L +3L +L -L - -5L -
-L 3L 7L
P-ch
0 0 1 1---1
DATA-4 0 -π -
0 0 1 1---1 D/A
DATA-5 MOD 3L
0 0 1 1---1 CONV
DATA-6 -5L
+7L
Q-ch
+5L -
+3L 7L
0 1 2 3 - - - 64 φ
+L
-L
8 levels -
3L
-5L Q-ch
-
7L
70MHz VCO
128QAM MODULATOR (SDH/MLC)

+11L
+9L
+7L
12 levels +5L
+3L
19 Mb/s 24 Mb/s +L
24 Mb/s
8 streams 7 streams -L
8 streams -3L
-5L
-7L
-9L
-11L
data-1 D/A 0 -π
data-2 CONV MOD
MOD
data-3 SPEED MLC MAPP- P-ch OUT
RFCOH
data-4 & 8 -7 ENCOD ING
INS
CONV
data-5
data-6 D/A 0 -π
CONV MOD
data-7 +11L
data-8 +9L Q-ch
+7L
+5L φ
+3L
+L
12 levels
-L
-3L
-5L
-7L
-9L VCO 70 MHz
-11L
128QAM CONSTELLATION

12 LEVELS
P-ch

Q-ch
12 LEVELS
Shannon's Channel Capacity

Shannon derived the following capacity formula (1948) for an additive white Gaussian noise channel

Where
W is the bandwidth of the channel in Hz
S is the signal power in watts
N is the total noise power of the channel watts
Bandwidth Efficiency

Bandwidth Efficiency characterizes how efficiently a system uses its allotted bandwidth and is defined as

From it we calculate the Shannon limit as

Note: In order to calculate n, we must suitably define the channel bandwidth W. One commonly
used definition is the 99% bandwidth definition, i.e., W is defined such that 99% of the transmitted
signal power falls within the band of width W.
Shannon Limits

Average Signal Power S can be expressed as

Eb is the energy per bit

k is the number of bits transmitted per symbol
T is the duration of a symbol
R = k/T is the transmission rate of the system in bits/s.
S/N is called the signal-to-noise ratio
N = N0W is the total noise power
N0 is the one-sided noise power spectral density

we obtain the Shannon limit in terms of the bit energy and noise power spectral density, given by
Shannon Bounds

This can be resolved to obtain the minimum bit energy required for reliable transmission, called the
Shannon bound:

Fundamental limit: For infinite amounts of bandwidth, i.e. n max->0, we obtain

This is the absolute minimum signal energy to noise power spectral density ratio required to reliably
transmit one bit of information.
Spectral efficiency of different Modulation

Spectral Efficiencies versus power efficiencies of various coded and un-coded digital transmission

systems, plotted against the theoretical limits imposed by the discrete constellations .
Spectral Efficiency Classes

As the maximum transmission rate in a given bandwidth depends on system spectral efficiency,
different equipment classes are defined:

Class 1:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 2-states modulation scheme (e.g. 2 FSK, 2 PSK or
equivalent).

Class 2:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 4-states modulation scheme (e.g. 4 FSK, 4 QAM, or
equivalent).

Class 3:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 8-states modulation scheme (e.g. 8 PSK, or equivalent)

NOTE:
In class 3, for design commonality with other efficiency classes, the 16 QAM format is often used.
However, some Class 3 systems are defined only for bands at 50 GHz and above while in modern
applications for lower bands this class has lost practical importance.

Class 4L:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 16-states modulation scheme (e.g. 16 QAM, 16 APSK, or
equivalent).

NOTE :
In class 4L, for flexible implementation trade-off between the actual Radio Interface Capacities (RIC)
and roll-off shaping, the 32 QAM format is also popular.
Spectral Efficiency Classes

Class 4H:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 32-states modulation scheme (e.g. 32 QAM, 32 APSK, or
equivalent).

Class 5A:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 64-states or 128-states modulation scheme (e.g. 64 QAM
or 128 QAM, or equivalent), for cross-polar adjacent channel (ACAP) operation.

Class 5B:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 64-states or 128-states modulation scheme (e.g. 64 QAM
or 128 QAM, or equivalent), for co-polar adjacent channel (ACCP) and frequency reuse through
CCDP operation.

Class 6A:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 256-states or 512-states modulation scheme (e.g. 256
QAM or 512 QAM, or equivalent), for cross-polar adjacent channel (ACAP) operation.

Class 6B:
equipment spectral efficiency based on typical 256-states or 512-states modulation scheme (e.g. 256
QAM or 512 QAM, or equivalent), for co-polar adjacent channel (ACCP) and frequency reuse
through CCDP operation.

Refer to EN 302 217

Capacity Modulation & Channel BW relationship

Capacity Channel BW
Modulation
(Mbps) (MHz)

10 QPSK 7

20 QPSK 14

40 QPSK 28

10 16QAM 3.5

20 16QAM 7

40 16QAM 14

80 16QAM 28

108 32QAM 28

155 128QAM 28
MODULATION & BANDWIDTH

MODULATOR
100MB/s 128QAM
64QAM
supposed that 100Mb/s data is carried by different 16QAM
level of the modulator 8PSK
4PSK
2PSK

-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 F0 +10 +20 +30 +40 +50 FREQUENCY (MHz)
Modulation Efficiency vs RF Bandwidth Efficiency

The assignment of a higher efficiency modem (e.g. from 32 QAM to 128 QAM), while reducing the
radio’s RF bandwidth ~30%, increases its sensitivity to thermal noise and interference,
lowering its TFM and IFM fade margins by more than 6 dB.
Therefore, higher efficiency radio links allow fewer co-channel assignments at a hub site or in a
congested area.
(Sensitivity to Noise and Interference)

30 Spectral Efficiency vs. Interference Sensitivity -

128 QAM An Ineffective Trade-Off for RF Bandwidth
27
Efficiency
CNR or CIR REQUIRED

24 64 QAM
@ 10-6 BER

21 32 QAM
Excludes FEC Improvement
14
16 QAM
7
QPSK
-7
7 6 5 4 3 2 <1 <<<1

MODULATOR’S BANDWIDTH EFFICIENCY, b/s/Hz (3 dB RF BW = Bit Rate/Efficiency)

ADAPTIVE MODULATION

Adaptive Modulation enables automatic switching between different modulations, depending on radio
channel conditions.

Received signal

256 QAM
128 QAM
64 QAM

16 QAM
4 QAM Receiver
Threshold

Link throughput Time

170 Mbit /s
155 Mbit /s 99.9%
135 Mbit /s 99.95% Availability
Availability
99.99% Availability
90 Mbit /s
99.995% Availability
45 Mbit /s
99.999% Availability
Basic Facts

Using Adaptive Modulation it is possible to increase the available capacity over the same frequency
channel, keeping the same antennas, during periods of normal propagation conditions.

Using Adaptive Modulation it is possible to decrease the antenna size or channel bandwidth, keeping the
same availability for guaranteed traffic, regardless of propagation conditions.

Adaptive Modulation should be used together with QoS management.

Basic Facts – Increase the capacity

- best effort traffic

Mod Sch - guaranteed traffic

256 QAM
128 QAM 72Mbps@14MHz:
99,9%

64 QAM

16 QAM 42Mbps@14MHz:
99,999%

4 QAM

FIXED MODULATION ADAPTIVE MODULATION

all traffic -> 99,999% The same channel & antenna
Guaranteed traffic -> 99,999%
Best effort traffic -> 99,9 %
Basic Facts – Increase the capacity

- best effort traffic

Mod Sch - guaranteed traffic

256 QAM
128 QAM 72Mbps@14MHz:
99,9%

64 QAM data @
63Mbps@14MHz:
30Mbps
99,95%

16 QAM 42Mbps@14MHz:
data @ 99,99%
21Mbps
4 QAM 21Mbps@14MHz:
data @ 11Mbps 99,999%
voice, synch,… @ 4Mbps
nxE1 for 2G @ 6Mbps
Basic Facts – Decrease the Antenna or Channel

- best effort traffic

Mod Sch - guaranteed traffic

256 QAM
128 QAM 154Mbps@28MHz: 154Mbps@28MHz:
99,999% 99,9%

64 QAM

16 QAM 91Mbps@28MHz:
99,999%

4 QAM

FIXED MODULATION ADAPTIVE MODULATION

all traffic -> 99,999% The same capacity
Guaranteed traffic -> 99,999%
Best effort traffic -> 99,9 %
How does it work?

Modulation switching

Channel status is continuously monitored on the Rx side by measuring the MSE (Mean Square Error)
on the received modulation (average Root Mean Square distance to the nominal adaptive modulation
constellation point). When the receiver, based on this data, detects that the channel condition calls for
next higher or lower modulation, a message is sent to the transmitter on the other side asking for a
higher or lower modulation

Upon receipt of such a request, the transmitter

starts transmitting with the new modulation
(within 5 ms downwards) using a modulation
specific symbol sequence after the FAW (Frame
Alignment Word). At demodulation the receiver
follows the modulation indicated as a slave

To avoid oscillations, a hysteresis on MSE

thresholds is used when switching from lower to
higher modulation Payload Physical
Mode

Physical Mode
Request
How does it work?
How does it work?

ATPC

ATPC and adaptive modulation are fully compatible.

ATPC is working in closed-loop only in the highest configured modulation.

In lower modulations the output power will be set as high as possible, but not higher than Power max.

Protection
Protection switching performance is the same as not using adaptive modulation.
The modulation switches occur earlier (better BER) than the protection switches in a fading situation
In both Working Standby (WSB) and Hot Standby (HSB) the two receivers will exchange information
regarding wanted modulation, and the higher of the two modulations is chosen.
Supported bandwidths/modulations
Planning rules

There are two basic ways of planning for adaptive modulation:

Plan for guaranteed availability (e.g. 99.995%) on lowest modulation.

See what the highest usable modulation will be and what the resulting availability for that modulation
will be.

Plan for guaranteed availability (e.g. 99.95%) on highest modulation.

See what the lowest usable modulation will be and what the resulting availability for that modulation
will be.

Select Radio System that will achieve agreed upon Class of Service

Perform Frequency Planning for Max Modulation and Channel BW.

Advantages

Carrier Grade Adaptive modulation

Adaptive modulation is Carrier grade due to some very important factors, e.g. it is error
free, it has a constant delay, and it doesn’t only handle rain fading but also selective/Multipath
fading.

Error free:
The fact that Adaptive Modulation is Error free is very important, it means that there is no traffic
interruption, nor any bit errors for PDH, Priority Ethernet and ATM when changing modulations.
If it hadn’t been error free it could mean a traffic interruption each time the modulation is
changed as offered by many competitors!

Constant delay:
One of the problems with network sync transport over packet is related to network jitter, also
called delay variation, which in a worst case scenario could lead to loss of sync.
The solution is to secure that you have a constant minimum delay in your adaptive modulation
set up.
This ensures a high quality network synch transport over packet.