[Question] FSK synchronization

[pfeatherstone]

I have a 4-FSK signal that i want to demodulate. It doesn't have a preamble or anything like that to assist with synchronization. The fskdem object requires perfect symbol timing. How can we realise symbol timing?

[xerpi]

This might help: https://liquidsdr.org/doc/symtrack/

[pfeatherstone]

Does that work with FSK? Not sure

[pfeatherstone]

Yeah symtrack is only designed to work with modem objects which doesn't include FSK

[xerpi]

I think you can still use symsync (and symtrack maybe). Just make sure to pass the samples through a Gaussian filter (LIQUID_FIRFILT_GMSKRX) after FM demodulation before using symsync. Check this example: https://github.com/jgaeddert/liquid-dsp/blob/master/examples/gmsk_tracking_example.c#L62

Here's more info on what makes GMSK different regarding the matched filter: https://dsp.stackexchange.com/a/74319

GMSK doesn't just use a Gaussian filter instead of a raised-cosine filter. It uses a Gaussian filter on the phase, before applying it to the modulator. This makes it a nonlinear operation.
When a raised-cosine filter is applied to some modulated signal, it is applied after modulation, as a linear operation.

Edit: Oops, I just realized this is about FSK and not GMSK, although apparently they are quite similar 🤔

[pfeatherstone]

I've tried using symsync for FSK4 and it's not working well at all.

[pfeatherstone]

I'm using something similar to freqdem or GNURadio's Quadrature demod block to basically convert FSK4 to ASK4 then I need some kind of symbol synchronization and PLL. In this case the error in the amplitude equals to frequency error, which then needs to be fed to a PLL loop. So i don't think i can simply re-use an ASK4 demod algorithm.