Flexible method and apparatus for encoding and decoding signals using a time division multiple frequency scheme

A method and apparatus for signal detection and error detection in a multi-band system, the method for error detection comprising the steps: receiving a plurality of bursts, each burst occupying at least one of a plurality of frequency bands, the plurality of bursts encoding a symbol, the symbol corresponding to data, wherein the symbol is encoded such that a burst occupying each frequency band is transmitted a specified number of times within the plurality of bursts; determining that a given burst has not been detected the specified number of times; and declaring a transmission error for the symbol. In one variation, the frequency bands comprise wideband frequency bands.