Systems and methods are provided for determining a channel quality indicator (CQI) in a transmission system associated with a diversity transmission scheme. A plurality of independent diversity branches are identified in the diversity transmission scheme. Each one of the independent diversity branches may correspond to a different portion of the effective channel and may include any suitable combination of frequency, time, and/or spatial components of the effective channel or of any wired or wireless paths or combinations of the same. An effective Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) value is computed for each one of the identified independent diversity branches. The computed effective SNR values are combined for the identified independent diversity branches to generate a CQI value.