Design and implementation of a DDS-based multi-carrier GMSK modulator

The design and hardware implementation of a multi-carrier Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulator, based on a direct digital synthesizer, suitable for global system for mobile (GSM) base station applications is described. The synthesizer does not only generate the baseband GMSK signal, but also delivers it at a low IF. Special care has been taken in order to minimize the required memory of the synthesizer. The hardware implementation is mainly based on a field programmable gate array device (FPGA) and a D/A converter. The number of carriers depends on the size of the FPGA. Finally, the hardware implementation of a two-carrier modulator is given.