A method and an apparatus for transmitting a reference signal. A first reference signal is generated according to a data signal, an interference relationship between adjacent carriers, and a predefined second reference signal. The data signal and the first reference signal is modulated and sent on a corresponding carrier utilizing non-orthogonal multi-carrier modulation waveform. A method for receiving a reference signal includes receiving, on a reference signal carrier, a first reference signal modulated utilizing non-orthogonal multi-carrier modulation waveform, processing the received first reference signal using a predefined processing method, performing channel estimation or synchronization according to a result of the processing and a predefined second reference signal.