Amplitude Shift Keying – ASK

Definition: A digital modulation technique in which the amplitude of the carrier wave is altered
according to the modulating signal (bitstream) is known as Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK). It is the
easiest and straightforward digital modulation scheme.

ASK is sometimes known as On-Off keying because the carrier wave swings between 0 and 1
according to the low and high level of input signal respectively.

In ASK, frequency and phase of the carrier wave is kept constant and only the amplitude is varied
according to the digitized modulating signal. It is also referred as Binary Amplitude Shift Keying
(BASK) as its usual operation is associated with only two levels.
However, one can have multiple levels of signal elements also.
In the figure given below, we can see waveforms of amplitude shift keying.

Here, (i) figure represents a message signal represented in the forms of the bitstream, (ii) shows the
carrier wave; whose amplitude is to be varied according to the digital message signal.

The last figure (iii) shows the resultant ASK waveform which is amplitude modulated. It is clear from
the figure that the signal is present only in case of the high-level digital stream. No signal waveform is
achieved when the bit shows a low level, showing on and off behaviour.
Thus, termed as ON-OFF keying.

Generation of ASK Signal

The figure below shows the block diagram representing the process of generation of an amplitude shift
keying waveform.
It consists of a signal generator that produces a high-frequency sinusoidal waveform, a message signal in
digitized form and a bandpass filter.

The switch provided here gets open and closed according to the bits of the message signal. When the
digital bit is of level high i.e., 1 then the switch gets closed. Thus, allows the carrier wave to get
transmitted.

As against, in case of low-level bit i.e., 0 the switch gets open and restrict the carrier wave.
This is the reason why the signal appears at the output in case of a high level. After this, pulse reshaping
is done by the band limiting filter according to the amplitude and phase characteristics of the filter.

Detection of ASK Signal

Detection or demodulation is the process of recovering original message signal from the modulated
waveform.

 Coherent Detection

It is noteworthy in case of coherent detection that the carrier at the receiver must be in synchronization
with the carrier at the transmitter for accurate detection.

The figure below shows the process of coherent detection.

The demodulation circuitry consists of a product modulator along with an integrator and a decision-
making device.

Here, the input to the product modulator is modulated waveform along with the sinusoidal carrier. The
combination of the two is then fed to the integrator that operates successively according to the bit
interval. After which it also executes low pass filtration of the signal.

Then the output of the integrator acts as input to the decision device. Also, a preset threshold is provided
to the decision-making device. The decision device compares the signal at its input with the threshold
value.
 When the signal exceeds the threshold value then bit 1 is provided by the decision device as its output.
However, when the signal deceeds (be less than) the threshold value then bit 0 is achieved.

 Non – Coherent Detection

A coherent detection technique somewhat leads to a complex design as it needs synchronization.
However, the design can be simplified by non-coherent detection that makes use of envelope detector.

The figure below shows the block diagram of a non-coherent ASK detection technique composed of a
bandpass filter and envelope detector along with a decision device.

As it does not require a synchronized carrier thus the method makes use of the rectifier circuit for the
rectification of the signal. After which the signal is fed to the low pass filter.

The output of which is then provided to a decision device that compares the signal value with the preset
threshold value in a similar manner as done in the coherent detection. Thus generates the equivalent
output, which is the original digital bit stream.

Note: As ASK is an amplitude modulation scheme, the modulated wave and the message signal has the
same bandwidth. Here, an abrupt change in the amplitude is noticed according to the respective change
in data bit.

Thus, the scheme allows data transmission in case of low or medium data rate rather than the high data
rate.

Advantages:
 Its generation and detection are easy thus facilitate simple transmitter and receiver sections.

Disadvantages:
 ASK technique is not suitable for high bit rate data transmission.
 Poor bandwidth efficiency.
 Highly susceptible to noise and other external factors.

Applications:
1. Digital data through an optical fiber is transmitted using ASK technique.
2. The technique was widely used in traditional telephone modems.
Frequency Shift Keying – FSK
Definition: A digital modulation technique that allows data transmission by changing the frequency of
the carrier wave according to the digital modulating signal is known as frequency shift keying (FSK).

It is the most straightforward and efficient digital signal transmission scheme.

The simplest form of FSK is Binary frequency shift keying (BFSK). Here, the frequency of the carrier
wave changed between discrete binary values of the modulating signal. Thus, the frequency of the
carrier shows variation according to the binary message signal.

In frequency shift keying, the carrier is modulated in such a way that high-frequency signal is achieved
for high level i.e., 1 of binary data input. Similarly, the low-frequency signal is obtained in case of low
level i.e., 0 of the message signal.

The figure below shows the binary frequency shift keying technique:

Here as we can see, that in the figure (i) the modulating signal in the form of the bit stream is present.

Figure (ii) and (iii) shows the high and low-frequency waveform.

The (iii) figure shows the FSK modulated waveform, whose frequency shows variation according to the
digital signal.

Generation of FSK
The figure below shows the generation of FSK modulated wave.
 Here, as we can see that the system consists of 2 oscillators that generate high and low-frequency signal
separately. A binary message signal is provided to the transmitter circuitry. The carrier wave from the
two oscillators and binary modulating signal operates the switch.

In the case when the modulating signal bit is high i.e., 1, the switch gets closed forming a path for a
high-frequency wave to get transmitted that is generated by oscillator 1.

Thus a high-frequency signal is achieved in case of bit 1 of the message signal.

As against when the input bit is level low i.e., 0, the switch now gets closed in a manner to form the path
for the low-frequency carrier to get transmitted. This low-frequency carrier is generated by the oscillator
2.

Hence, it is clear that a low-frequency signal is achieved in case of a low data bit of the modulating
signal.

However, in order to eliminate phase discontinuities of the signal at the output, an internal clock is
provided to the oscillator. Thus, the high or low-frequency signal is selected according to the digital
modulating signal.

Thus, an FSK modulated wave is transmitted and achieved at the output.

Detection of FSK
Detection technique of FSK signal is mainly categorized as coherent and non-coherent detection. As we
have already discussed in the detection of ASK waveform that coherent detection needs synchronization
with the transmitter section.

 Coherent Detection
The figure below shows the block diagram for the coherent detection of BFSK signal.
As we can see that it consists of 2 separate mixers followed by the integrators that form the two
correlators in the circuit. The output of this correlator is then fed to the decision device. This decision
device generates the binary signal which is the original modulating signal.

Here, a BPSK waveform is fed to the mixer along with the two separate carriers that are accurately
synchronized with the carrier waves at the transmitting end. The output generated by the mixer is then
fed to the integrator.

The output of the two separate integrators is then compared by the decision-making device. When the
output of integrator 1 is more than that of the integrator 2 then the frequency of the carrier associated
with correlator 1 generates the bit symbol. Assume, it to be a high-frequency carrier then a logic high is
generated at the output.

Similarly, when the output of the integrator 2 exceeds integrator 1 then the carrier frequency associated
with correlator 2 generates symbol in favour of that frequency. Let us assume conversely that it is a low-
frequency wave then symbol 0 is achieved at the output.

 Non-Coherent Detection
When we talk about non-coherent detection then no any synchronized carrier is required at the detector.

The figure below shows the block diagram for non-coherent detection.

It consists of two separate Bandpass filter that is tuned to two different frequencies. The output of this
BPF is then fed to an envelope detector which generates two separate output according to the signal
achieved from the BPF.

A decision-making device then compares the output of the two envelope detector. When the output of
detector 1 exceeds detector 2 then logic 1 is obtained and when the output of detector 1 is deceeded by
detector 2 then logic 0 is obtained as the output.

Thus the original bitstream is generated by the detector.

The process of non-coherent detection of the FSK signal is somewhat more than the coherent detection
process.

Advantages:
1. FSK provides better noise immunity.
2. The signal transmission through FSK is quite simple.
3. It is suitable for long-distance data transmission.
4. Bit error rate performance is better than ASK.
 Disadvantages:
1. It utilizes more bandwidth as compared to ASK and PSK thus is not bandwidth efficient.
2. Detection of the signal at the receiver is somewhat complex.

Applications:
 The technique is used in the high-frequency data transmission system.
 Extensively used in low-speed modems.

Phase Shift Keying – FSK

Definition: A digital modulation technique that transmits data by varying the phase of the carrier wave
in accordance with the digital modulating signal, is called Phase Shift Keying (PSK).

The easiest form of PSK is BPSK i.e., binary phase shift keying. However, PSK can be extended to 4
level and 8 level PSK that totally depends on the need of the system.

Principle of BPSK
BPSK technique is the simplest among all the PSK techniques. In this, each signalling element is
represented by a single data bit.

Here, the carrier undergoes two phase reversal such as 0° and 180°. In phase shift keying the digital
bit sequence is first converted to NRZ bipolar signal which directly modulates the carrier wave.

Expression for BPSK

Let us consider the carrier wave is given as s(t) = A cos (2πfct)

The peak of the carrier wave is represented as A when the load resistance is assumed to be 1 ohm as
standard, the power dissipated is given as,

A change in phase by 180° is noticed with the corresponding change in the bit sequence.
Assume the carrier for symbol 1 is given as

Similarly, in the case of symbol 0, we have,

: π represents the phase shift of 180°

As we know cos (ɸ + π) = – cos ɸ

Thus, s2(t) can be written as,

Hence, BPSK signal can be written as,

: b(t) will be +1 in case of transmission of binary 1 and

b(t) will be -1 in case of transmission of binary 0.

BPSK Modulation
The figure below shows the block diagram for the generation of a BPSK signal.

As we can see here that the system consists of NRZ encoder along with product modulator and carrier
generator.
The binary message signal is fed to the bipolar NRZ level encoder that converts the Binary data input
into equivalent bipolar NRZ sequence m(t). This bipolar NRZ signal is fed to the balanced modulator
along with the carrier wave.

Thus, the binary signal modulates the carrier wave that generates a phase shifted modulated signal
termed as BPSK signal.

Let us have a look at the figure below that shows BPSK generated waveform with the binary bit
sequence and carrier wave.
Here, (i) represents the binary bit sequence, the next represents the bipolar NRZ sequence m(t) that is
used to modulate the carrier wave represented in (iii). The resultant BPSK signal is then achieved.

Here, as we can see that, the figure shows phase reversal when the bit sequence gets changed either from
1 to 0 or from 0 to 1. When the bit sequence changes from 0 to 1 then we noticed a positive phase
change whereas, when the bit sequence changes from 1 to 0 then a negative change of phase is noticed.

BPSK Demodulation
The block diagram for the coherent detection of BPSK signal is shown below:

Let us consider, the signal at the input of the receiver is

The phase shift ɸ is based on the time delay in between transmitter and receiver.
The signal is then fed to a square law device that provides cos2(2πfct + ɸ) as its output.

Here, only the carrier of the signal is taken into consideration thus the amplitude is neglected.

As we know,

Expanding the carrier as the above mathematical identity,

Or we can write,

: dc level is showed by ½

This signal is then fed to the BPF as we can see in the diagram above. This BPF has a centre frequency
of 2fc, eliminates the dc level hence, generates output as cos 2 (2πfct + ɸ)

This signal is then further fed to a frequency divider unit. As it is frequency divider by 2 thus generates a
carrier with frequency fc.

This carrier is then multiplied with the input signal,

thereby generating the output as,

This signal is then given to the integrator and bit synchronizer unit. The signal is integrated over the 1-
bit period by the integrator by making use of bit synchronizer. It manages the bit duration. After a
completed bit duration, synchronizer closes S2 and the output of the integrator acts as input to the
decision device.

Further, processing continues when S2 gets open and S1 gets closed for some time, resetting the voltage
of the integrator to 0. Then the next bit is integrated by the integrator and the cycle repeats. The decision
device then generates the equivalent binary data, the actual message signal.
 Advantages:
1. It allows more efficient transmission of radio frequency signal.
2. Better noise immunity is noticed in the case of BPSK technique.
3. Less bandwidth is utilized by the BPSK signal in comparison to BFSK.

Disadvantages:
1. Detection of a BPSK signal is quite complex.
2. Phase discontinuity sometimes leads to variation in amplitude of the signal.

Applications:
PSK modulation technique finds its applications in biometric operations, Bluetooth connectivity,
wireless local area networks and in telemetry operations.

COMPARISON OF ASK, FSK, PSK

ASK FSK PSK

1] Information is in amplitude Information is in frequency Information is in phase
variations. variations. variations.
2] Less Bandwidth as More Bandwidth as compared. Less to moderate Bandwidth.
compared.
3] Poor Noise immunity. Better Noise immunity. Better Noise immunity.
4] Synchronization is not Synchronization is not Synchronization is essential.
required. required.
5] Effect of DC is more. Effect of DC component is Effect of DC component is
less. less.
6] More power required. Moderate power required. Less-moderate power required.
7] Low bit rate application Moderate bit rate application. High bit rate application.
8] Simple Implementation. Moderately complex Very complex Implementation.
Implementation.