Common detectors for shaped offset QPSK (SOQPSK) and Feher-patented QPSK (FQPSK)

Symbol-by-symbol detection of SOQPSK and FQPSK using detectors designed for offset QPSK represents a simple common detector architecture for these two interoperable waveforms. Unfortunately, this detection method results in a 2 dB loss in bit error rate performance. This paper describes detection methods for recovering this loss without the need for knowing which modulation is used by the transmitter. An equivalent cross-correlated trellis-coded quadrature modulation (XTCQM) representation for SOQPSK is developed which forms the basis of a common TCM detector. An equivalent CPM representation for FQPSK is developed which forms the basis for a common CPM detector. The common XTCQM detector performs slightly better than the common CPM detector, but achieves this gain at the expense of higher complexity