Comparative Analysis of QAM Modulation Techniques over AWGN and Fading Channels

Abstract

Although, most researchers focus on some of the key components of good digital wireless communications which are the Bit Error Rate (BER) versus Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of modulation schemes. Energy consumption optimization is necessary for enhancing the performance of a wireless communication system as it offers numerous advantages to the system and the users. Therefore, this research focuses on analyzing the efficiency in the performance of the various QAM Modulation Schemes (4QAM, 16QAM, 32QAM & 64QAM) as they travel over noise/fading channels with the quest to obtain an energy-efficient scheme which will enhance system performance in terms of system runtime and quality of service. The efficiency of any given process, operation, or device is rated per the energy it consumes in carrying out an activity per unit output. Hence, the objective of this research work is to study and analyze comparatively the efficiency of these modulation schemes and to conclude with the most efficient scheme over the various channels. The evaluation of the Bit Error Rate (BER) versus energy per bit to noise spectral density (EbNo) for each communication scenario was carried out in MATLAB.