A method and a system for receiving an ultra-wideband signal with a self-adapting number of propagation paths. The transmitted signal includes, over a symbol time, a series of direct successive modulated pulses which propagate along a direct propagation path and secondary pulses which are associated with each direct pulse and which each propagate along a secondary propagation path. The method includes: receiving the series of direct and secondary pulses on the same receiver circuit; creating a composite correlation pattern, including a series of elementary patterns which are time-shifted in relation to a first elementary correlation pattern; calculating the value of the global correlation coefficient between each direct pulse which is associated with the plurality of secondary pulses and the composite correlation pattern, in order to obtain a global correlation value of the symbol, sum of the cross-correlation coefficients of each of the direct and secondary pulses.