A method for calculating zero-crossing reference sequences ({ti}) for the data detection of a sequence of zero crossings ({{circumflex over (t)}i}) of a received signal is disclosed. The data detection is determined in a receiver, wherein the received signal is based on a data symbol sequence ({dk}) angle-modulated at a transmitter and transmitted to the receiver. The zero-crossing reference sequences ({ti}) are calculated in accordance with an equation specifying an output of a finite state machine that describes, at least approximately, the signal generation in the transmitter.