MODULE V: ASK, FSK, PSK & QAM

Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) Working and Applications

The most important and interesting concept in communication is Modulation. It has different types.
Modulation is defined as the improving the signal characteristics amplitude, frequency or phase with reference
of the carrier signal. If the input signal is analog form, then such modulation is called as Analog modulation.
And if the inputs signal is in the form of digital, such modulation is called Digital modulation. Analog forms
of signals are suffered from distortion, noise and interference effects. Due to these three defects, digital signals
are preferred than analog. And in digital modulation, the input signal is in the form of digital-only. It has only
two voltage levels either high or low. But in the analog signal, its voltage is continued and affected by some
type of noise. If the input signal in the form of digital and if you try to increase its amplitude characteristics
concerning the carrier signal, this process of modulation is called as Amplitude Shift Keying. It is also known
as ASK.

❖ Amplitude Shift Keying Theory

This type of modulation comes under Digital Modulation schemes. Here, the word keying has some
importance, i.e. Keying is indicating the transmission of digital signal over the channel. By the amplitude shift
keying theory, we can understand the process of ASK technique.

In ASK, it requires two input signals, First input is binary sequence signal and the second input is carrier
signal. Here the most important point we need to always consider the second input which is the carrier signal
has the more amplitude/voltage range than the input binary sequence signal.

❖ Reason for Choosing the High Characteristics Carrier Signal

For example, if you want to go to some place, you can choose the bus for transportation purpose. Once you
reached your destination you come out from the bus. Here when you reached your destination you are not
considering the bus which helped you to reach your destination. You are using the bus as just for a medium.
Also, to complete the modulation process, the input binary sequence signal using the carrier signals to reach its
destination point.

One more important point is to consider, the carrier signal amplitude is should be greater than the input
binary signal amplitude. Within carrier amplitude range we are going to modulate the binary input signal
amplitude. If the carrier signal amplitude is less than the input binary signal voltage, then such a combination
modulation process leads to over modulation and under modulation effects. So, to achieve perfect modulation
carrier signal should have more amplitude range than input binary signal.
 In amplitude shift keying theory, input binary signal amplitude varies according to the carrier signal
voltage. In ASK, the input binary signal is multiplied with the carrier signal along with its time intervals.
Between the first time interval of input binary signal multiplied with the first time interval of carrier signal
voltage and the same process continues for all time intervals. If the input binary signal is logic HIGH for certain
time interval, then the same should be delivered at the output ports with increment in voltage level. So, the main
aim of the amplitude shift keying modulation is to changing or improving the voltage characteristics of the input
binary signal concerning the carrier signal. The below diagram indicating the Amplitude shift keying block
diagram.

ASK block diagram

❖ At Mixer Circuit Level

When the switch is closed – for all the logic HIGH time intervals i.e. when the input signal having logic 1
during those intervals the switch is closed and it is multiplied with the carrier signal which is generating from
the function generator for the same duration.

When the switch is opened – when the input signal having logic 0, the switch is opened and there is no
output signal will be generated. Because the input binary signal logic 0 having no voltage, so during these
intervals when the carrier signal multiples with it, zero output will come. The output is zero for all logic 0
intervals of the input binary signal. Mixer circuit having the pulse shaping filters and band-limited filters for
shaping the ASK output signal.

ASK modulation waveforms

 ❖ ASK Circuit Diagram
Amplitude shift keying modulation circuit can be designed with 555timer IC as an astable mode. Here, the
carrier signal can be varied by using the R1, R2 and C. The carrier frequency can be instantly calculated by the
formulae as 0.69*C*(R1+R2). A PIN 4 we will apply the input binary signal and at PIN 3 the circuit will
generate the ASK modulated wave.

ASK modulation circuit

❖ ASK Demodulation Process

Demodulation is the process of reconstructing the original signal at the receiver level. And it is defined as,
whatever the modulated signal received from the channel at the receiver side by implementing the proper
demodulated techniques to recover/reproduce the original input signal at the output stage of the receiver.

ASK demodulation can be done in two ways. They are,

• Coherent detection (Synchronous demodulation)
• Noncoherent Detection (Asynchronous demodulation)

Coherent detection which is also called as synchronous ASK detection.

• 1). Coherent ASK Detection

In this way of demodulation process, the carrier signal which we are using at the receiver stage is in the
same phase with the carrier signal which we are using at the transmitter stage. It means the carrier signal at
transmitter and receiver stages are the same values. This type of demodulation is called Synchronous ASK
detection or coherent ASK detection.

Coherent ASK detection block diagram

 The receiver receives the ASK modulated waveform from the channel but here this modulated waveform
is affected with noise signal because it is forwarded from the free space channel. So this, noise can be eliminated
after the multiplier stage by the help of a low pass filter. Then it is forwarded from the sample and hold circuit
for converting it into discrete signal form. Then at each interval, the discrete signal voltage is compared with
the reference voltage (Vref) to reconstruct the original binary signal.

• 2). Non-coherent ASK Detection

In this, the only difference is the carrier signal which is using at the transmitter side and receiver side are
not in the same phase with each other. By this reason, this detection is called as Non-coherent ASK detection
(Asynchronous ASK detection). This demodulation process can be completed by using with square law device.
The output signal which is generating from the square-law device can be forwarded through a low pass filter to
reconstruct the original binary signal.

Non-coherent ASK detection block diagram

Amplitude shift keying is an effective technique to increase the input amplitude characteristics in
communications. But these ASK modulated waveforms are easily affected by noise. And this leads to amplitude
variations. Due to this, there will be voltage fluctuations in the output waveforms. The second drawback of the
ASK modulation technique is, it has low power efficiency. Because ASK requires the excessive bandwidth. It
leads to power loss in the spectrum of ASK.

Whenever to modulate two input binary signals, amplitude shift keying modulation is not preferable.
Because it has to take only one input. So, to overcome this Quadrature Amplitude Shift Keying (QASK) is
preferred. In this modulation technique, we can modulate two binary signals with two different carrier signals.
Here, these two carrier signals are in opposite phase with 90 degrees difference. Sin and cosine signals are used
as carriers in quadrature amplitude shift keying. The advantage of this is, it uses effectively the bandwidth of
the spectrum. It offers more power efficiency than the amplitude shift keying.

Amplitude shift keying Matlab Simulink

Amplitude shift keying Matlab Simulink can be designed with Matlab tool. After initializing the
tool, by following the proper steps we can draw the ASK circuit on the work area. By giving the
proper signal values we can get the modulated output waveforms.
 ❖ ASK Applications
Modulation has an important role in communications. And amplitude shift keying applications
are mentioned below. They are:
• Low-frequency RF applications
• Home automation devices
• Industrial networks devices
• Wireless base stations
• Tire pressuring monitoring systems

Thus, ASK (amplitude shift keying) is a digital modulation technique to increase the
amplitude characteristics of the input binary signal. But its drawbacks make it so limited. And these
drawbacks can be overcome by the other modulation technique which is FSK.

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Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) Working & Applications

The frequency shift keying is the most important digital modulation technique, and it is also known as FSK.
A signal has the amplitude, frequency, and phase as properties. Every signal has these three properties. To
increase any one of the signal properties we can go for the modulation process. Because there are various
advantages of the modulation technique. In those some of the advantages are – the antenna size reduced, avoid
multiplexing of signals, decrease the SNR, long-range communication can be possible, etc. These are the
important advantages of the modulation process. If we modulate the amplitude of the input binary signal
according to the carrier signal i.e. called as amplitude shift keying. Here, we are going to discuss what is
frequency shift keying and FSK modulation, demodulation process along with their advantages and
disadvantages.

❖ What is Frequency Shift Keying?

It is defined as the changing or improving the frequency characteristics of an input binary signal according
to the carrier signal. Amplitude variation is one of the major drawbacks in ASK. So, due to this ASK modulation
technique used in a few applications only. And its spectrum power efficiency also low. It leads to wastage of
power. So, to overcome these drawbacks Frequency Shift Keying is preferred. FSK is also known as
Binary Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK).
 ❖ Frequency Shift Keying Theory
This frequency shift keying theory shows how the frequency characteristics of a binary signal changed
according to the carrier signal. In FSK, the binary information can be transmitted through a carrier signal along
with frequency changes. The below diagram shows the frequency shift keying block diagram.

FSK block diagram

In FSK, two carrier signals are used to produce FSK modulated waveforms. The reason behind this, FSK
modulated signals are represented in terms of two different frequencies. The frequencies are called “mark
frequency” and “space-frequency”. Mark frequency has represented logic 1 and space-frequency has
represented the logic 0. There is only one difference between these two carrier signals, i.e. carrier input 1 having
more frequency than the carrier input 2.

Carrier input 1 = Ac Cos (2ωc+θ) t

Carrier input 2 = Ac Cos (2ωc-θ) t

The switch (s) of the 2:1 multiplexer is having the important role to generate the FSK output. Here the
switch is connected to carrier input 1 for all logic 1’s of the binary input sequence. And switch (s) is connected
to carrier input 2 for all logic 0’s of the input binary sequence. So, the resultant FSK modulated waveforms have
mark frequencies and space frequencies.

FSK-modulation-output-waveforms
 Now we will see how the FSK modulated wave can be demodulated at the receiver side. Demodulation is
defined as reconstructing the original signal from the modulated signal. This demodulation can be possible in
two ways. They are
• Coherent FSK detection
• Non-coherent FSK detection

The only difference between the coherent and non-coherent way of detection is the phase of the carrier
signal. If the carrier signal we are using at the transmitter side and receiver side are in the same phase while
demodulation process i.e. called a coherent way of detection and it is also known as synchronous detection. If
the carrier signals which we are using at transmitter and receiver side are not in the same phase then such
modulation process known as Non-coherent detection. Another name for this detection is Asynchronous
detection.

❖ Coherent FSK Detection

In this synchronous FSK detection, the modulated wave got affected by noise while reaching the receiver.
So, this noise can be eliminated from using the bandpass filter (BPF). Here at multiplier stage, the noisy FSK
modulated signal is multiplied with the carrier signal from the local oscillator device. Then the resultant signal
passes from the BPF. Here this bandpass filter is assigned to cut off frequency which is equal to the binary input
signal frequency. So, the same frequencies can be allowed to the decision device. Here this decision device
gives 0 and 1 for space and mark frequencies of the FSK modulated waveforms.

Coherent FSK detection

 ❖ Non-coherent FSK Detection
The modulated FSK signal is forwarded from the bandpass filter 1 and 2 with cut off frequencies equals to
space and mark frequencies. So, the unwanted signal components can be eliminated from the BPF. And the
modified FSK signals are applied as input to the two envelop detectors. This envelope detector is a circuit
having a diode (D). Based upon the input to the envelope detector it delivers the output signal. This envelope
detector used in the amplitude demodulation process. Based upon its input it generates the signal and then it is
forwarded to the threshold device. This threshold device gives the logic 1 and 0 for the different frequencies.
This would be equal to the original binary input sequence. So, the FSK generation and detection can be done in
this way. This process can be known for the frequency-shift keying modulation and demodulation experiment
also. In this FSK experiment, FSK can be generated by the 555 timer IC and detection can be possible by 565IC
which is known as a phase-locked loop (PLL).

Non-coherent FSK detection

There are few frequency shift keying advantages and disadvantages are listed below.
❖ Advantages
• Simple process to construct the circuit
• Zero amplitude variations
• Supports a high data rate.
• Low probability of error.
• High SNR (signal to noise ratio).
• More noise immunity than the ASK
• Error-free reception can be possible with FSK
• Useful in high-frequency radio transmissions
• Preferable in high-frequency communications
• Low-speed digital applications

❖ Disadvantages
• It requires more bandwidth than the ASK and PSK (phase shift keying)
• Due to the requirement of large bandwidth, this FSK has limitations to use only in low-speed
modems which the bit rate is 1200bits/sec.
• The bit error rate is less in AEGN channel than phase shift keying.

Thus, the frequency shift keying is one of the fine digital modulation technique to increase the frequency
characteristics of the input binary signal. By FSK modulation technique we can achieve error-free
communication in a few digital applications. But this FSK has finite data rate and consumes more bandwidth
can be overcome by the QAM, which is known as quadrature amplitude modulation. It is the combination of
amplitude modulation and phase modulation.

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 Phase Shift Keying (PSK): Types and Its Applications
The term PSK or Phase shift keying is broadly used in a radio communication system. This kind of
technique is mostly compatible with data communications. It allows information in a more efficient way to be
carried over a radio communications signal compare with other modulation forms. Data communication is rising
with different forms of communication formats like analog to digital to carry data along with different
modulation forms. There are different types of PSK where each one has its own benefits and drawbacks. An
option of the optimum format has to be prepared for every radio communication system. To make the correct
option, it is essential to have knowledge of how PSK works.

❖ What is Phase Shift Keying (PSK)?

The Phase Shift Keying is one kind of digital modulation method. This kind of method is used to transmit
data by modulating otherwise changing the phase of the carrier signal which is known as a reference signal. The
digital data can be represented with any kind of digital modulation method by using a limited number of separate
signals. This kind of modulation method uses a limited number of phases where each phase can be assigned
with binary digits. Generally, every phase encodes an equivalent number of bits. Every bits pattern forms the
symbol that is denoted by the exact phase.

The PSK method can be represented by a convenient method namely constellations diagram. In this kind of
communication, the points of the constellation can be selected are generally placed by uniform angular spacing
in the region of circle. So that utmost phase separation can be offered among nearby points & therefore the best
protection to corruption. These are arranged in a circle so that they can all be transmitted by similar energy.

Phase shift keying

❖ Digital Modulation
The digital modulation or DM is one kind of modulation, which utilizes discrete signals to change a carrier
wave. This kind of modulation eliminates the noise of communication and provides superior power for the
signal interruption. This modulation provides additional data capacity and security for high & easy system
accessibility by huge communication quality. So, this kind of modulation has a vast demand than analog
modulation.

❖ Types of PSK
The PSK can be classified into two types which include the following.
• BPSK – Binary Phase-Shift Keying
• QPSK – Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying

• 1). BPSK – Binary Phase-Shift Keying

The term BPSK stands for Binary Phase-Shift Keying. Sometimes, it is also called as PRK (Phase Reversal
Keying) or 2PSK. This kind of phase-shift keying utilizes 2-phases which are separated with 180 degrees. So,
this is the reason to call as 2-PSK.

In this method, the arrangement of constellation points is not a matter where exactly they are placed. This
type of modulation is strong to all the PSKs as it takes the maximum level of noise otherwise to distortion to
make the demodulator attain an incorrect decision. However, it is only able to modulate at 1 bit per symbol and
is not suitable for applications like high data rate.

• 2). QPSK – Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying

The bit rate can be enhanced by adding more bits on one single segment. In this kind of PSK, the bitstream
can be parallelized so that every two incoming bits can be split up & phase shift keying a carrier frequency. One
carrier frequency can be phase-shifted with 90 degrees from the other within quadrature. Then the 2 phase-shift
keying signals are added to generate one of four signal elements.

❖ Some Other Forms of PSK

Some of the more frequently used forms of PSK mainly include the following.
• Phase-Shift-Keying (PSK)
• Binary-Phase-Shift-Keying (BPSK)
• Quadrature-Phase-Shift-Keying (QPSK)
• Offset-Quadrature-Phase-Shift-Keying (O-QPSK)
• 8 Point-Phase-Shift-Keying (8 PSK)
• 16 Point-Phase-Shift-Keying (16 PSK)

The above-listed forms are the main PSK forms which are frequently used in the applications of radio
communication. Each form of PSK includes advantages as well as disadvantages. Generally, the high order
modulation forms will allow high data rates to transmit in a given bandwidth. But the problem is high data rate
which needs a superior S/N ratio previous to the error rates begin to increase & this counter works to improve
the performance of data rate. The form of modulation can be selected by the radio communications systems can
depend on the existing conditions and requirements.
❖ Advantages and Disadvantages of Phase Shift Keying
The advantages of phase-shift keying include the following.
• This type of PSK allows information to be carried with a radio communications signal more efficiently
compare with FSK.
• QPSK is another kind of data transmits wherever 4 phase states are utilized, all in 90 degrees of one
another.
• It is less vulnerable to faults when we evaluate with ASK modulation & occupies similar bandwidth like
ASK.
• By using this, the high transmission data rate can be attained with the help of high-level PSK
modulations like QPSK, 16-QAM. Here QPSK signifies 2-bits for each constellation and 16-QAM
signifies 2-bits for each constellation.

The disadvantages of phase-shift keying include the following.

• The bandwidth efficiency of this PSK is less compared with ASK type of modulation
• It is a non-coherent reference signal
• By estimating the phase states of the signal, the binary information can be decoded. Algorithms like
recovery and detection are extremely difficult.
• High-level PSK modulations like QPSK, 16-QAM is more sensitive to phase differences.
• It generates wrong demodulations as the fault can combine with time because the reference signal for
demodulation is not fixed.

Applications of Phase Shift Keying

The applications of PSK include the following.
• This method is broadly used for bio-metric, wireless LAN along with wireless communications like
Bluetooth and RFID.
• Local Oscillator
• Optical Communications
• Multi-channel WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
• Delay & add demodulator
• Nonlinear effects for WDM transmission

From the above information finally, we can conclude that this PSK is a digital modulation technique which
transmits information by altering the phase of a stable frequency carrier signal. Generally, these modulation
methods are superior to modulation techniques like FSK in terms of bandwidth. These modulation schemes
provide better efficiency. But FSK modulation methods are power-efficient at a given signal-to-noise ratio
(S/N). This method is broadly used for bio-metric, wireless LAN along with wireless communications
like Bluetooth and RFID.

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 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation: Working Principle and Its
Applications
In the amplitude modulation scheme, we can modulate one message signal (input signal) which is in analog
form. It means we can give only one input signal and we can modulate it and transmit to the destination level.
And the effective utilization of channel bandwidth is not up to the level. So, these can be overcome by this
QAM technique.

❖ What is Quadrature Amplitude Modulation?

Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is modulation techniques that we can utilize in analog
modulation concept and digital modulation concept. Depending upon the input signal form we can use it in
either analog or digital modulation schemes. In QAM, we can modulate two individual signals and transmitted
to the receiver level. And by using the two input signals, the channel bandwidth also increases. QAM can able
to transmit two message signals over the same channel. This QAM technique also is known as “quadrature
carrier multiplexing”.

❖ Quadrature Amplitude Modulation Definition

QAM can be defined as it is s a modulation technique that is used to combine two amplitude modulated
waves into a single channel to increase the channel bandwidth.

❖ Quadrature Amplitude Modulation Block Diagram

The below diagrams show the transmitter and receiver block diagram of the QAM scheme.

QAM modulator
 ❖ QAM Demodulator

QAM demodulator

❖ QAM Working Principle

“In the QAM transmitter, the above section i.e., product modulator1 and local oscillator are called the in-
phase channel and product modulator2 and local oscillator are called a quadrature channel. Both output
signals of the in-phase channel and quadrature channel are summed so the resultant output will be QAM.”

At the receiver level, the QAM signal is forwarded from the upper channel of receiver and lower channel,
and the resultant signals of product modulators are forwarded from LPF1 and LPF2. These LPF’s are fixed to
the cut off frequencies of input 1 and input 2 signals. Then the filtered outputs are the recovered original signals.

The below waveforms are indicating the two different carrier signals of the QAM technique.

Input carriers of QAM

The output waveforms of QAM are shown below.

Quadrature output signal waveform

❖ Advantages of QAM

The quadrature amplitude modulation advantages are listed below. They are
• One of the best advantages of QAM – supports a high data rate. So, the number of bits can be carried by
the carrier signal. Because of these advantages it preferable in wireless communication networks.
• QAM’s noise immunity is very high. Due to this noise interference is very less.
• It has a low probability of error value.
• QAM expertly uses channel bandwidth.

❖ Quadrature Amplitude Modulation Applications

The applications of QAM include the following.
• The applications of QAM are mostly observed in radio communications and data delivery applications
systems.
• QAM technique has wide applications in the radio communications field because, as the increment of
the data rate there is the chance of noise increment but this QAM technique is not affected by noise
interference hence there is an easy mode of signal transmission can be possible with this QAM.
• QAM has wide applications in transmitting digital signals like digital cable television and in internet
services.
• In cellular technology, wireless device technology quadrature amplitude modulation is preferred.

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