The Bit Error Rate Performance of a Digitally Modulated Carrier in the Presence of Carrier Phase Bursts

Abstract

Although the effects of oscillator phase noise on digital data transmission systems have been studied, the corresponding effects pertaining to oscillator phase bursts have so far not been presented. This paper contains the results of a study on oscillator phase bursts and its effects on the overall digital data transmission system. Digital transmission system carrier frequencies are generated either by phase locking or frequency multiplying from a stable crystal reference. Some crystal oscillators exhibit phase bursts characterized by a sudden increase in phase noise close to the carrier, resulting either from temperature induced excitation of spurious modes in the crystal or adsorption or desorption of microscopic particles/microscopic changes on the crystal electrode surface. The bit error rate performance of a digitally modulated carrier in the presence of carrier phase bursts are presented.