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Given that we have went over the symbol error probability for 4-PAM and symbol error rate for
4-QAM , let us extend the understanding to find the symbol error probability for 16-QAM (16
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation). Consider a typical 16-QAM modulation scheme where the
alphabets (Refer example 5-37 in [DIG-COMM-BARRY-LEE-MESSERSCHMITT]).
are used.
Noise model
Assuming that the additive noise follows the Gaussian probability distribution function,
with and .
The conditional probability distribution function (PDF) of given was transmitted is:
As can be seen from the above figure, the symbol is decoded correctly only if falls in the
area in the black hashed region i.e.
The conditional probability distribution function (PDF) of given was transmitted is:
As can be seen from the above figure, the symbol is decoded correctly only if falls in the
area in the red hashed region i.e.
Consider the symbol which is not in the corner OR not in the inside, for example
The conditional probability distribution function (PDF) of given was transmitted is:
As can be seen from the above figure, the symbol is decoded correctly only if falls in the
area in the blue hashed region i.e.
Assuming that all the symbols are equally likely (4 in the middle, 4 in the corner and the rest 8),
the total probability of symbol error is,
Simulation model
Simple Matlab/Octave code for generating 16QAM constellation, transmission through AWGN
channel and computing the simulated symbol error rate.
Click here to download : Matlab/Octave script for simulating 16QAM symbol error rate
% Script for simulating 16-QAM transmission and reception and compare the
% simulated and theoretical symbol error probability
% demodulation
y_re = real(y); % real part
y_im = imag(y); % imaginary part
simBer = nErr/N;
theoryBer = 3/2*erfc(sqrt(0.1*(10.^(Es_N0_dB/10))));
close all
figure
semilogy(Es_N0_dB,theoryBer,'b.-','LineWidth',2);
hold on
semilogy(Es_N0_dB,simBer,'mx-','Linewidth',2);
axis([0 20 10^-5 1])
grid on
legend('theory', 'simulation');
xlabel('Es/No, dB')
ylabel('Symbol Error Rate')
title('Symbol error probability curve for 16-QAM modulation')
Figure: Symbol Error Rate curve for 16QAM modulation