Delayed symbols (204), including a current symbol (205), are compared by a comparator (206) with at least one predetermined pattern when the current symbol is equivalent to one of a set of predetermined values. Alternatively, a sign of the current symbol is compared with signs of a previous and a subsequent symbol when the current symbol is equivalent to one of the set of predetermined values. When the current symbol is equivalent to one of the set of predetermined values and when either the delayed symbols are equivalent to one of the at least one predetermined pattern or the sign of the current symbol matches the signs of the previous and subsequent symbols, a symbol corrector (208) applies a predetermined function to the current symbol to produce a received symbol (210).