Combined modulation--and multiple access method for radio signals

A method for applying data to a radio-frequency signal based upon a multiplexing of orthogonal frequency components, the radio-frequency signal comprising a plurality of carriers of differing frequencies which form subfrequency bands (f) and comprise in a time direction distinct elementary signals (R), where simultaneous elementary signals of different subfrequency bands form a symbol (OS, OS1), and where symbols in temporal succession form a symbol sequence, the data being applied to the radio-frequency signal by a phase modulation method in accordance with the steps of:

• providing a first symbol (OS1) of the symbol sequence so as to comprise a first elementary signal (Ref) which contains a phase reference, wherein the first symbol comprises a group of other elementary signals;
• defining the information content of the group of other elementary signals as a phase shift, in a frequency direction, to an adjacent elementary signal for forming a first differential phase shift chain, a head of the first differential phase shift chain being the first elementary signal (Ref),
• defining the information content of each elementary signal in other symbols of the symbol sequence as a phase shift to a preceding elementary signal in the time direction of the same subfrequency band for forming a second differential phase shift chain, the head of the second differential phase shift chain being the elementary signal of the first symbol (OS1) of the symbol sequence in a subfrequency band of interest, and
• dividing the group of elementary signals comprised of the first symbol (OS1) into two parts, wherein elementary signals (Ref) belonging to the first part are used for transmission of phase references, and elementary signals belonging to the second part are used for the transmission of data, and wherein a ratio of the number of elementary signals in the first and second parts is about 1/100.