MATLAB Implementation of 4PAM Modulation with BER Simulation

In this study, we implemented MATLAB simulation of 4-Pulse Amplitude Modulation (4PAM) under Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel conditions. The implementation involves generating random binary data streams, mapping them to 4PAM symbols using constellation points [-3, -1, 1, 3], and transmitting through AWGN channel with varying SNR levels. Our Bit Error Rate (BER) simulation framework systematically tests performance across different signal-to-noise ratios, employing maximum likelihood detection at the receiver to demodulate symbols and calculate error rates. We conducted extensive experiments to validate simulation accuracy, implementing Monte Carlo methods with sufficient iterations to ensure statistical reliability. The analysis includes comparative performance evaluation against theoretical BER curves, utilizing MATLAB's communication toolbox functions like awgn() for noise addition and pamdemod() for demodulation. Detailed discussion covers the relationship between SNR values and BER performance, highlighting implementation aspects such as symbol energy normalization and decision boundary calculations. Furthermore, we explored practical applications of 4PAM in digital communication systems and its potential development prospects, examining optimization techniques including adaptive threshold adjustment and error correction coding integration. The study addresses challenges in enhancing spectral efficiency and reliability for future communication demands. Overall, this research provides significant reference for understanding 4PAM technology's performance characteristics and implementation considerations through comprehensive MATLAB-based simulation and analysis.