Encoding uplink acknowledgments to downlink transmissions

A device for transmitting an acknowledgment in response to data transmissions, the device comprising:

• a receiving module configured to receive an M number of data blocks from a transmitting entity;
• a processor configured to:
• generate an M number of acknowledgment bits, wherein each of the M number of acknowledgment bits is generated for each corresponding one of the M number of data blocks based on whether each of the M number of data blocks is successfully decoded;
• and
• generate an acknowledgment signal by performing a logical AND operation of all of the M number of acknowledgment bits;
• and
• a transmitting module configured to transmit the acknowledgment signal to the transmitting entity.