Resource elements from multiple code blocks are separated into different groups, and the code bits of the resource elements within each group are decoded without waiting for a completed reception of a transport block to start decoding. Coded bits from multiple code blocks are similarly separated into different groups, and code blocks containing coded bits within each group are decoded. A first CRC is attached to the transport block and a second CRC is attached to at least one code block from the transport block. An improved channel interleaver maps coded bits of different code blocks to modulation symbols, and maps modulation symbols to time, frequency, and spatial resources, to make sure each code block receives approximately the same level of protection.