Complex Waves

Complex waves include:

• Analog modulated, digitally modulated, pulse-width
• modulated, and quadrature modulated signals
• Digital patterns and formats
• Pseudo-random bit and word streams

Quadrature Modulation

In Signal Modulation waves the amplitude, phase and/or frequency variations embed lower-frequency information into a carrier signal of higher frequency. It gives signals in the form of either speech, data or video. In Analog Modulation the signal varies the carrier’s amplitude and/or frequency. At the receiving end, demodulating circuits interpret the amplitude and/or frequency variations, and extract the content from the carrier. Phase modulation modulates the phase rather than the frequency of the carrier waveform to embed the content. Digital modulation is based on two states which allow the signal to express binary data. In amplitude-shift keying (ASK), the digital modulating signal causes the output frequency to switch between two amplitudes; in frequency-shift keying (FSK), the carrier switches between two frequencies (its center frequency and an offset frequency); and in phase-shift keying (PSK), the carrier switches between two phase settings. In PSK, a “0” is imparted by sending a signal of the same phase as the previous signal, while a “1” bit is represented by sending a signal of the opposite phase. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is another common digital format; it is often used in digital audio systems. It is applicable to pulse waveforms only. With PWM, the modulating signal causes the active pulse width (duty cycle, explained earlier) of the pulse to vary. Quadrature (IQ) modulation technology is used for building digital wireless communications networks. An in-phase (I) waveform and a quadrature-phase (Q) waveform that is delayed by exactly 90 degrees relative to the “I” waveform are modulated to produce four states of information. An in-phase (I) waveform and a quadrature-phase (Q) waveform are combined and transmitted over one channel, then separated and demodulated at the receiving end. The IQ format delivers far more information than other forms of analog and digital modulation  because it increases the effective bandwidth of the system. A digital pattern consists of multiple synchronized pulse streams. It makes up words of 8, 12, 16, or more bits wide data. The digital pattern generator, specializes in delivering words of data to digital buses and processors via parallel outputs. Digital computers have the inability to produce truly random numbers, therefore Pseudo-random bit streams (PRBS) and pseudo-random word streams (PRWS) are used. Digital video signals can have jagged lines on surfaces that should be smooth. Controlled amount of noise is added to hide these jagged lines from the eye without losing the original information. Serializers or multiplexers are tested using PRWS.

Basic Waves

Following are the Basic types of waves:

1. Sine waves
2. Square and rectangular waves
3. Sawtooth and triangle waves
4. Step and pulse shapes
5. Complex waves

Sine waves are the most commonly known wave shape. Most AC power sources produce sine waves. The sine wave is the result of a basic mathematical function. Graphing a sine curve through 360 degrees will  produce a definitive sine wave image. The power switches at homes deliver power in the form of sine waves. In classrooms, while teaching about waves, teachers usually give examples of sine waves and use them for demonstration. Square and rectangular waves are at the heart of all digital electronics. A square wave is a voltage that switches between two fixed voltage levels at equal intervals, used for testing amplifiers. A rectangular wave has switching characteristics similar to those of a square wave, except that its high and low time intervals are not of equal length. Sawtooth and triangle waves look very much like the geometric shapes they are named for. The triangle wave has a symmetrical rise and fall times while the sawtooth ramps up slowly and evenly to a peak in each cycle, then falls off quickly.They are used to control other voltages in systems. A step wave shows a sudden change in voltage, as if a power switch had been turned on. The pulse is related to the rectangular wave.It is produced by switching up and then down, or down and then up, between two fixed voltage levels. A pulse may represent one bit of information traveling through a computer. A collection of pulses traveling together creates a pulse train. Complex waveforms may include elements of
sines, squares, steps, and pulses. In real life, waves rarely look like the examples in the graphics that we see here.