Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)

Introduction:

The simplest digital modulation technique is amplitude-shift keying (ASK), where a

binary information signal directly modulates the amplitude of an analog carrier. ASK
is similar to standard amplitude modulation except there are only two output
amplitudes possible. Amplitude shift keying is sometimes called digital amplitude
modulation (DAM).

Mathematical Expression:

Amplitude-shift keying is

…1

where

v ask (t) = amplitude-shift keying wave

v m(t) = digital information (modulating) signal (volts)

A/2 = unmodulated carrier amplitude (volts)

ω c = analog carrier radian frequency (radians per second, 2πfct)

 In Equation 1, the modulating signal [vm(t)] is a normalized binary waveform,

where 1 V = logic 1 and -1 V = logic 0. Therefore, for a logic 1 input, vm(t) = 1 V,
Equation 1 reduces to

and for a logic 0 input, vm(t) = -1 V, Equation 1 reduces to

 Thus, the modulated wave v ask(t), is either A cos(ωc t) or 0.

 Hence, the carrier is either "on" or "off," which is why amplitude-shift keying
is sometimes referred to as on-off keying (OOK).
 Figure 2-2 shows the input and output waveforms from an ASK modulator.
 From the figure, it can be seen that for every change in the input binary data
stream, there is one change in the ASK waveform, and the time of one bit (tb)
equals the time of one analog signaling element (t,).

B = fb /1 = fb

baud = fb /1 = fb

 The entire time the binary input is high, the output is constant amplitude,
constant-frequency signal, and for the entire time the binary input is low, the
carrier is off.
 The rate of change of the ASK waveform (baud) is the same as the rate of
change of the binary input (bps)

Frequency Shift Keying

Introduction:

FSK is a form of constant-amplitude angle modulation similar to standard frequency

modulation (FM) except the modulating signal is a binary signal that varies between
two discrete voltage levels rather than a continuously changing analog waveform.

Mathematical Expression:

 In frequency-shift keying, the signals transmitted for marks (binary ones) and
spaces (binary zeros) are

 respectively. This is called a discontinuous phase FSK system, because the

phase of the signal is discontinuous at the switching times.
 A signal of this form can be generated by the following system:
 If the bit intervals and the phases of the signals can be determined (usually
by the use of a phase-lock loop), then the signal can be decoded by two separate
matched filters:

 The first filter is matched to the signal s1 (t) and the second to s2 (t). Under
the assumption that the signals are mutually orthogonal, the output of one of the
matched filters will be E and the other zero (where E is the energy of the signal).
Decoding of the bandpass signal can therefore be achieved by subtracting the
outputs of the two filters, and comparing the result to a threshold.
 If the signal s1 (t)is present then the resulting output will be  E, and if s2(t) is
present it will be -E. Since the noise variance at each filter output is Eη=2, the
noise in the difference signal will be doubled, namely σ 2 = Eη. Since the overall
output variation is 2E, the probability of error is

 The overall performance of a matched filter receiver in this case is therefore

the same as for ASK.
 The frequency spectrum of an FSK signal is difficult to obtain —this is a
general characteristic of FM signals. However, some rules of thumb can be
developed. Consider the case where the binary message consists of an
alternating sequence of zeros and ones. If the two frequencies are each multiples
of 1/T (eg. f1 =m/T and f2 = n/T ) and are synchronized in phase, then the FSK
wave is a periodic function:

 This can be viewed as the linear superposition of two OOK signals, one
delayed by T seconds with respect to the other. Since the spectrum of an OOK
signal is
 where M(ω) is the transform of the baseband signal m(t), the spectrum of the

Nonsynchronous Detection of the FSK

Introduction:

This section explains the Nonsynchronous Detection for FSK in detail.

Theory:

 Nonsynchronous or envelope detection can be performed for FSK signals.

  In this case the receiver takes the following form:

 The bit error probability can be shown to be

 which under normal operating conditions corresponds to less than a 1dB

penalty over coherent detection. In practice almost all FSK receivers are of this
form.
 In order for envelope detection to be successful, the peaks in the frequency
domain at ω -Δω and ω Δω must be widely separated with respect to the
bandwidth of the baseband signal. This requires 2Δf T > 1.
 A more practical alternative to discontinuous-phase FSK systems are
continuous-phase FSK systems, where a polar binary baseband signal is provided
as the input to a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO):
 In this case the FSK signal can be represented by

 Overly sharp transitions in the phase of the output signal can be restricted by
band-limiting the input to the VCO.
 Note that FSK is not true frequency modulation, and does not provide the
wide-band noise reduction properties associated with FM.

Phase-Shift keying

Introduction:

Phase-shift keying (PSK) is another form of angle-modulated, constant-amplitude

digital modulation.

Binary Phase Shift keying:

 The simplest form of PSK is binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), where N = 1

and M = 2.
 Therefore, with BPSK, two phases (21 = 2) are possible for the carrier.
 One phase represents a logic 1, and the other phase represents a logic 0.
As the input digital signal changes state (i.e., from a 1 to a 0 or from a 0 to a 1),
the phase of the output carrier shifts between two angles that are separated by
180°.
 Hence, other names for BPSK are phase reversal keying (PRK) and biphase
modulation. BPSK is a form of square-wave modulation of a continuous wave
(CW) signal.                                                                                                     
 BPSK transmitter

 Figure 2-12 shows a simplified block diagram of a BPSK transmitter.

 The balanced modulator acts as a phase reversing switch.
 Depending on the logic condition of the digital input, the carrier is transferred
to the output either in phase or 180° out of phase with the reference carrier
oscillator.
 Figure 2-13 shows the schematic diagram of a balanced ring modulator.
 The balanced modulator has two inputs: a carrier that is in phase with the
reference oscillator and the binary digital data.
 For the balanced modulator to operate properly, the digital input voltage
must be much greater than the peak carrier voltage.
 This ensures that the digital input controls the on/off state of diodes D1 to
D4. If the binary input is a logic 1(positive voltage), diodes D 1 and D2 are forward
biased and on, while diodes D3 and D4 are reverse biased and off (Figure 2-13b).
 With the polarities shown, the carrier voltage is developed across
transformer T2 in phase with the carrier voltage across T
 Consequently, the output signal is in phase with the reference oscillator. If
the binary input is a logic 0 (negative voltage), diodes D1 and D2 are reverse
biased and off, while diodes D3 and D4 are forward biased and on (Figure 2-13c).
As a result, the carrier voltage is developed across transformer T2 180° out of
phase with the carrier voltage across T 1.
 Bandwidth considerations of BPSK

Introduction:

This section explains the bandwidth requirement of the BPSK in detail.

Mathematical Expression:

 In a BPSK modulator. the carrier input signal is multiplied by the binary data.
 If 1 V is assigned to a logic 1 and -1 V is assigned to a logic 0, the input
carrier (sin ct) is multiplied by either a or - 1.
 The output signal is either 1 sin ct or -1 sin ct the first represents a signal
that is in phase with the reference oscillator, the latter a signal that is 180° out of
phase with the reference oscillator.
 Each time the input logic condition changes, the output phase changes.
 Mathematically, the output of a BPSK modulator is proportional to

where

fa = maximum fundamental frequency of binary input (hertz)

fc = reference carrier frequency (hertz)

 Solving for the trig identity for the product of two sine functions,
 Thus, the minimum double-sided Nyquist bandwidth (B) is

and because fa = fb / 2, where fb = input bit rate,

Where

B is the minimum double-sided Nyquist bandwidth.

 Figure 2-15 shows the output phase-versus-time relationship for a BPSK

waveform.
 Logic 1 input produces an analog output signal with a 0° phase angle, and a
logic 0 input produces an analog output signal with a 180° phase angle.
 As the binary input shifts between a logic 1 and a logic 0 condition and vice
versa, the phase of the BPSK waveform shifts between 0° and 180°, respectively.
 BPSK signaling element (ts) is equal to the time of one information bit (tb),
which indicates that the bit rate equals the baud.
 BPSK receiver

Introduction:

This section explains the BPSK receiver in detail.

Structure of the BPSK Receiver:

 Figure 2-16 shows the block diagram of a BPSK receiver.

 The input signal maybe sin ωct or - sin ωct .
 The coherent carrier recovery circuit detects and regenerates a carrier signal
that is both frequency and phase coherent with the original transmit carrier.
 The balanced modulator is a product detector; the output is the product d the
two inputs (the BPSK signal and the recovered carrier).
 The low-pass filter (LPF) operates the recovered binary data from the
complex demodulated signal.

 The LPF has a cutoff frequency much lower than 2 ωct, and, thus, blocks the
second harmonic of the carrier and passes only the positive constant component.
 A positive voltage represents a demodulated logic 1.
 For a BPSK input signal of -sin ωct (logic 0), the output of the balanced
modulator is

 The output of the balanced modulator contains a negative voltage (-[l/2]V)

and a cosine wave at twice the carrier frequency (2ωct).
 Again, the LPF blocks the second harmonic of the carrier and passes only
the negative constant component. A negative voltage represents a demodulated
logic 0
Modulation is a very important concept in electronics and telecommunication. It occurs when
we vary one or more properties of a carrier signal with a modulating signal. Modulation is of
different types. When we modulate an analog signal, it is called analog modulation and when
we modulate a digital signal, it is called digital modulation. Modulation mainly occurs when
the characteristics of input signal i.e. amplitude, frequency, and phase are improved with
reference of the carrier signal. For transmission purposes, digital signals are always
preferred over analog signals. This is because of the fact that analog signals may suffer from
noise, distortion and interference effects. However, these possibilities are comparatively less
in the case of digital signals. Digital signals have two voltage levels i.e. either high or low
while in case of an analog signal, the voltage is continued. If the amplitude of the carrier
wave is varied with respect to that of the message signal, then this type of modulation is
called Amplitude Modulation. Amplitude Shift Keying is a type of amplitude modulation in
which digital signal is represented as a change in the amplitude of a carrier wave.

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.

analog-and-digital-signals

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 someplace 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 you helped to reach your destination. You are
using the bus as just for a medium. So, here 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 here, 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 single should have more amplitude range than input binary signal.

ask-block-diagram

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.

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)
We will start the demodulation process with 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 effected 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 only. So,
to overcome this Quadrature Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) 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 90degrees 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.