coherent differential phase-shift keying (CDPSK): Phase-shift keying (a) that is used for digital transmission, (b) in which the phase of the carrier is discretely modulated in relation to the phase of a reference signal and in accordance with data to be transmitted, and (c) in which the modulated carrier is of constant amplitude and frequency.
Note: A phase comparison is made of successive pulses, and information is recovered by examining the phase transitions between the carrier and successive pulses rather than by the absolute phases of the pulses.
Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188