Electronic – How continuous phase variation is achieved in MSK scheme

communicationdigital modulationdigital-communications

As per my knowledge MSK(minimum shift keying) is same as FSK with the modulation index of 0.5. Now I want to understand how this 0.5 modulation index helps MSK to achieve phase continuity which was not present in FSK.

Best Answer

When the difference in the two carrier frequencies generated by a logical 1 and a logical 0 is half the data rate, the modulation index is 0.5 by definition of modulation index.

When the two carrier frequencies have this relationship then there are no sudden changes in phase as can be seen with plain ordinary FSK. Here's an example of MSK: -

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The two carrier frequencies produced are 1200 Hz and 1800 Hz and have a difference of 600 Hz - this difference is half the data rate (1200 baud).

It's nothing more complicated than that.