An Analysis of the Sensitivity of Digital Modulation Techniques to Frequency-Selective Fading

This Paper investigates the sensitivity to frequency-selective fading of different modulation techniques commonly used in digital radio systems. The modulation methods considered are phase-shift-keying (
M
ary PSK), nonoffset and offset quadrature amplitude modulation (
M
-ary QAM), and quadrature partial response signaling (QPRS). The performances of these methods during multipath fading are compared on the basis of the "signatures" calculated for idealized systems. Results are presented from which the relative outage probability was determined, assuming a propagation channel with frequency-selective Rician fading.