Method and apparatus for continuous cross-channel interleaving

A method of interleaving data for transmission comprising the steps of:

• dividing a source data stream into at least a first complementary data group and a second complementary data group, said first complementary data group and said second complementary data group being operable to recreate said source data stream when combined;
• transmitting said first complementary data group as first transmitted data stream and transmitting said second complementary data group as a said second transmitted data stream substantially simultaneously on separate transmission channels to at least one receiver, said at least one receiver being operable to recombine said first complementary data group and said second complementary data group to recover said source data stream for output, and to output at least one of said first complementary data group and said second complementary data group when the other one of said transmission channels is blocked.

A propagated signal embodied in a carrier wave comprising a source data stream having a series of data symbols, each of said data symbols comprising at least one bit, said propagated signal being transmitted substantially simultaneously with a second propagated signal on a separate carrier wave, said second propagated signal comprising said data symbols arranged in accordance with a first interleaving pattern, said data symbols in said propagated signal being arranged in accordance with a second interleaving pattern, said second interleaving pattern being selected to transmit said data symbols in said propagated signal in a different order than in said second propagated signal to maximize recovery of said source data stream when either of said carrier wave and said separate carrier wave is blocked.