A method for wirelessly transmitting data and control information using a plurality of transmission layers includes determining a number of bits in one or more user data codewords to be transmitted during a subframe and calculating, for each of M control signals to be transmitted during the subframe, a value (Q′), based at least in part, on the number of bits in the one or more user data codewords, and an estimated number of user data vector symbols onto which the one or more user data codewords will be mapped. The estimate of the number of user data vector symbols for a particular one of the M control signals depends, at least in part, on a number of control vector symbols to be allocated to one or more others of the M control signals. The method also includes determining a number of control vector symbols onto which to map each of the M control signals based on a respective value Q′ calculated for that control signal, mapping the control signals for that control signal, and transmitting the control vector symbols.