Patent ID: 8576940

Claim:
A communications method comprising: processing by a processor an input bit sequence {b} to thereby form an information symbol sequence {I k }; wherein k denotes values of discrete time; k=1, 2, . . . ; mapping by the processor the information symbol sequence {I k } into a waveform sequence {U k (nT)}; wherein for each value of k, n=1, 2, . . . , N; and conveying information by a transmitter by transmitting the waveform sequence {U k (nT)}; wherein the processor is configured to vary a bandwidth B of the waveform sequence {U k (nT)}, without resorting to chipping in order to vary the bandwidth B of the waveform sequence, by using for said mapping first and second waveform elements that differ therebetween in bandwidth such that first and second waveform symbols of the waveform sequence {U k (nT)} comprise respective first and second bandwidths that differ therebetween; and/or wherein the processor is configured to vary a frequency range that is used to provide frequency content to the waveform sequence {U k (nT)}, without resorting to chipping in order to vary the frequency range, by using for said mapping third and fourth waveform elements that comprise respective third and fourth frequency ranges that differ therebetween in frequency content such that third and fourth waveform symbols of the waveform sequence {U k (nT)} comprise respective third and fourth ranges of frequencies that differ therebetween in frequency content.