SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA SCRAMBLING TO REDUCE THE CREST FACTOR IN AN OFDM WAVEFORM

A method is provided for minimizing the peak power level in a combination of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) tones. The method is particularly effective when the information to be communicated is digital da ta consisting of long patterns of "1"s or "0"s. The digital data of the message is combined with a scrambling vector before the data is modulated. The randomization of data patterns, in turn, leads to a more random combination of OFDM tone amplitude being transmitted. The message is recovered at the receiver by removing the scrambling vector. A table of scrambling vectors is maintained at the transmitters and receivers. The table pointer to select th e scrambling vector is selected in response to the position of the message in the communication structure. An OFDM communication system using the above- described method is also provided.