Time and bandwidth scalable slot for mobile data system

A method comprising a communication device performing the steps of:

• receiving an information signal and subdividing the information signal into M bit streams;
• encoding each of the M bit streams to data symbols to form M symbol streams;
• inserting synchronization and pilot symbols into each of the M symbol streams at positions determined by an expanded pattern, yielding M composite symbol streams filling a time-division multiplex slot, the expanded pattern comprising at least one replication of a base pattern identifying positions of the synchronization symbols and pilot symbols for a subset of the M composite symbol streams, the base pattern comprising an extension pattern appended to an initial pattern, the initial pattern defining positions of the synchronization symbols and pilot symbols for the subset of the M composite streams for a portion of the time division multiplex slot and the extension pattern comprising a plurality of identical follow-on patterns consecutively joined, the follow-on patterns defining positions of the synchronization symbols and pilot symbols for the subset of the M composite streams for a portion of the time division multiplex slot;
• modulating separate carrier signals with each of the M composite symbol streams, yielding M sub-channels centered about a center frequency;
• combining the M sub-channels into a composite signal;
• and
• transmitting the composite signal over an RF channel.