Digital modulation (ASK, FSK, PSK) in Signal Processing - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)?

ASK is a digital modulation technique where the amplitude of a carrier signal is changed to represent binary data. A high amplitude might represent a '1' and a low amplitude a '0'.

beginner

How does Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) work?

FSK changes the frequency of the carrier signal to represent data. Different frequencies correspond to different binary values, like one frequency for '0' and another for '1'.

beginner

Explain Phase Shift Keying (PSK) in simple terms.

PSK changes the phase of the carrier wave to represent data. For example, a phase shift of 0 degrees might mean '0', and a shift of 180 degrees might mean '1'.

beginner

Which digital modulation technique changes the amplitude of the carrier signal?

Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) changes the amplitude to represent data.

intermediate

Why is PSK often preferred over ASK in noisy environments?

PSK is less affected by noise because phase changes are easier to detect accurately than amplitude changes, which can be distorted by noise.

Which modulation technique changes the frequency of the carrier signal?

A Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)

B Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)

C Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

D Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)

FSK changes the frequency of the carrier signal to represent digital data.

In ASK, what does a change in amplitude represent?

A Binary data (0 or 1)

B Different phases

C Different frequencies

D Signal noise

ASK uses changes in amplitude to represent binary data values.

Which modulation is most resistant to noise?

A Amplitude Modulation (AM)

B FSK

C ASK

D PSK

PSK is more resistant to noise because phase changes are easier to detect than amplitude changes.

What does PSK change to encode data?

A Amplitude

B Frequency

C Phase

D Time

PSK changes the phase of the carrier wave to represent digital data.

Which of these is NOT a digital modulation technique?

A Frequency Modulation (FM)

B FSK

C PSK

D ASK

FM is an analog modulation technique, not digital.

Describe the main differences between ASK, FSK, and PSK.

Think about what part of the carrier wave changes in each method.

Explain why PSK might be chosen over ASK in a communication system.

Consider how noise affects amplitude and phase.

Practice

1. Which digital modulation technique changes the amplitude of the carrier wave to represent data bits?

easy

A. Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

B. Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)

C. Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)

D. Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand modulation types

   ASK changes the amplitude of the carrier wave to represent data bits, while FSK changes frequency and PSK changes phase.

2. Step 2: Match modulation to description

   The question asks for the technique that changes amplitude, which is ASK.

3. Final Answer:

   Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Amplitude change = ASK [OK]

Hint: ASK changes amplitude, FSK frequency, PSK phase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing ASK with FSK or PSK
• Choosing PCM which is not a modulation technique
• Mixing phase and amplitude changes

2. Which of the following is the correct Python syntax to generate a Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) signal using numpy arrays for two frequencies f1 and f2?

easy

A. signal = np.sin(2 * np.pi * f1 * t) + np.sin(2 * np.pi * f2 * t)

B. signal = np.cos(2 * np.pi * f1 * t) + np.cos(2 * np.pi * f2 * t)

C. signal = np.sin(2 * np.pi * f1 * t) * np.sin(2 * np.pi * f2 * t)

D. signal = np.sin(2 * np.pi * (f1 if bit == 0 else f2) * t)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand FSK signal generation

   FSK uses one frequency for bit 0 and another for bit 1, so the signal switches frequency based on the bit.

2. Step 2: Check syntax for conditional frequency

   signal = np.sin(2 * np.pi * (f1 if bit == 0 else f2) * t) uses a conditional expression to select frequency based on bit, which is correct for FSK.

3. Final Answer:

   signal = np.sin(2 * np.pi * (f1 if bit == 0 else f2) * t) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Conditional frequency selection = signal = np.sin(2 * np.pi * (f1 if bit == 0 else f2) * t) [OK]

Hint: FSK switches frequency based on bit using conditional [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding two sine waves instead of switching frequency
• Multiplying sine waves which is incorrect
• Using cosine instead of sine without reason

3. Given the following Python code snippet for Phase Shift Keying (PSK), what will be the output signal array for bits = [0, 1] and phase0 = 0, phase1 = pi?

import numpy as np
t = np.linspace(0, 1, 5)
bits = [0, 1]
phase0 = 0
phase1 = np.pi
signal = np.array([np.cos(2 * np.pi * 1 * t + (phase0 if bit == 0 else phase1)) for bit in bits])
print(signal)

medium

A. [[ 1. 0. -1. 0. 1.]
[-1. 0. 1. 0. -1.]]

B. [[ 0. 0. 0. 0. 0.]
[ 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.]]

C. [[ 1. 0. -1. 0. 1.]
[ 1. 0. -1. 0. 1.]]

D. [[ 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.]
[ 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.]]

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate cosine values for bit 0

   For bit 0, phase = 0, t = np.linspace(0,1,5) = [0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1], angles = 2πt = [0, π/2, π, 3π/2, 2π], cos = [1, 0, -1, 0, 1].

2. Step 2: Calculate cosine values for bit 1

   For bit 1, phase = π, angles = 2πt + π, cos(θ + π) = -cos(θ) = [-1, 0, 1, 0, -1].

3. Final Answer:

   [[ 1. 0. -1. 0. 1.] [-1. 0. 1. 0. -1.]] -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   PSK phase shift: cos(θ + π) = -cos(θ) [OK]

Hint: PSK phase π: cos(θ + π) = -cos(θ) [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing phase shift effect on cosine
• Misinterpreting array shape or values
• Ignoring phase addition in cosine

4. The following code attempts to generate an ASK signal but produces an error. What is the error and how to fix it?

import numpy as np
bit = 0
t = np.linspace(0, 1, 100)
f = 5
signal = np.sin(2 * np.pi * f * t) if bit == 1 else 0
print(signal)

medium

A. Error: signal is assigned a scalar 0 instead of an array; fix by replacing 0 with np.zeros_like(t)

B. Error: np.sin requires integer input; fix by casting t to int

C. Error: Missing parentheses in np.sin; fix by adding parentheses

D. No error; code runs correctly

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the error in conditional assignment

   If bit == 1, signal is an array from np.sin, else signal is scalar 0, causing inconsistent types.

2. Step 2: Fix by using array of zeros

   Replace 0 with np.zeros_like(t) to keep signal as an array in both cases.

3. Final Answer:

   Error: signal is assigned a scalar 0 instead of an array; fix by replacing 0 with np.zeros_like(t) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Consistent array types needed = Error: signal is assigned a scalar 0 instead of an array; fix by replacing 0 with np.zeros_like(t) [OK]

Hint: Use np.zeros_like(t) for zero arrays, not scalar 0 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using scalar 0 causing type mismatch
• Casting t to int which is unnecessary
• Ignoring conditional expression structure

5. You want to design a digital communication system that must be robust to amplitude noise but can tolerate frequency variations. Which modulation technique should you choose and why?

hard

A. ASK, because it changes amplitude which is sensitive to noise

B. ASK, because it changes phase which is robust to amplitude noise

C. FSK, because it changes frequency which is less affected by amplitude noise

D. PSK, because it changes phase which is sensitive to frequency noise

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze noise tolerance requirements

   The system must be robust to amplitude noise, so modulation should not rely on amplitude changes.

2. Step 2: Match modulation to noise tolerance

   FSK changes frequency, which is less affected by amplitude noise, making it suitable. ASK changes amplitude and is sensitive to amplitude noise. PSK changes phase and can be sensitive to frequency noise.

3. Final Answer:

   FSK, because it changes frequency which is less affected by amplitude noise -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Amplitude noise robustness = FSK [OK]

Hint: Choose FSK to avoid amplitude noise sensitivity [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing ASK despite amplitude noise sensitivity
• Confusing phase noise sensitivity with frequency noise
• Misunderstanding modulation noise robustness