A method includes receiving a first signal (5012). The first signal is received from a remote node. The first signal includes a first plurality of repetitions of encoded data. The method further includes transmitting an acknowledgement signal (5014) to the remote node. The acknowledgement signal is transmitted in response to said receiving of the first signal. The method further includes receiving a second signal (5015). The second signal includes a second plurality of repetitions of the encoded data and is also received from the remote node. The second signal is received after transmitting the acknowledgement signal. The method further includes combining the first plurality of repetitions of the encoded data and the second plurality of repetitions of the encoded data to yield a combined signal. The method further includes decoding (5016) the encoded data based on the combined signal.