hi,
in dqpsk modulation, we transmit two bits of digital data on a phase which is pi/4 or odd multiple of it like 3*pi/4, 5*pi/4..........
Since in this modulationwe transmit two bits on a single carrier, this technique is relatively more efficient in data transmission.
from Proakis ch 4 p 171
in Mpsk signals' formula is
sm(t)=g(t) cos[2πfct+2π(m-1)/M]
for m=1 ,2,...,M ,fc is central freq and g(t) is pulse shape say rect pulse
it means that you have M diffrent signal that differ in phase as is clear in second term of bracket
in qpsk we have M=4 and phases will be 0 ,π/2,π,3π/2