Patent ID: 7675843

Claim:
A multipoint-to-point, orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication system comprising: a plurality of remote units; a host unit that includes at least one demodulator; wherein each of the remote units transmits an upstream OFDM signal to the host unit demodulator using at least one of a plurality of tones within an OFDM waveform; wherein the host unit receives the upstream OFDM signals from the plurality of remote units; wherein the host unit demodulator demodulates said upstream OFDM signals from the plurality of remote units; and wherein the upstream OFDM signals from the plurality of remote units arrive at the host unit modulated within the OFDM waveform such that when any tones are transmitted from at least two of the plurality of remote units, the tones are substantially orthogonal when received at the host unit.