A method of transmitting data symbols via an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols that includes forming data symbols into pairs and generating a first pair of modulation symbols for each of the pairs of data symbols, where the first pair of modulation symbols form first and second modulation symbols of an Alamouti cell. The method further includes forming a first version of the OFDM symbols by modulating the sub-carriers allocated for carrying the data with the first and second modulation symbols of the Alamouti cells, and modulating the one or more pilot carriers of the first version of the OFDM symbol according to a predetermined pattern.