A method is provided for communicating a data value and pilot tone within the same communication sub-carrier of a communication channel. A first reference phase corresponding to a first data value is selected. A pilot tone having the first reference phase is generated. The generated pilot tone is transmitted. The transmitted pilot tone is received. A phase of the received pilot tone is determined. A second data value is determined from the phase of the received pilot tone. The second data value is stored in an electronic storage medium.