GeneralG8C11
How are the two separate frequencies of a Frequency Shift Keyed (FSK) signal identified?
D
Answer
Signals and emissions
Type
A
Dot and dash
B
On and off
C
High and low
D
Mark and space
Answer Notes
In Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), digital data is transmitted by shifting the carrier frequency between two distinct values. In radio and telecommunications terminology, these two frequencies are traditionally referred to as "mark" and "space."
The "mark" typically corresponds to a binary 1 (the resting or active state), while the "space" corresponds to a binary 0. This terminology dates back to the days of mechanical teleprinters and telegraphy, where a "mark" literally meant making a mark on a paper tape, and a "space" meant leaving it blank.
Distractors like "dot and dash" apply to Morse code (CW), while "on and off" applies to On-Off Keying (OOK), not FSK where a continuous signal simply shifts its frequency.
Previous · G8C10
How does forward error correction (FEC) allow the receiver to correct data errors?
Next · G8C12
Which type of code is used for sending characters in a PSK31 signal?