System and method embodiments are provided for a receiver for circularly convolved signals. In an embodiment, a universal decoder for a circularly convolved signal includes a first decoder configured to decode the circularly convolved signal; a second decoder configured to decode a plurality of symbol lengths signal from a first portion of the circularly convolved signal, wherein the plurality of symbol lengths signal is time aligned with the circularly convolved signal before passing through the second decoder; and an adder component configured to sum a first decoder output coming from the first decoder and a second decoder output coming from the second decoder to produce a symbol value from which a log likelihood ratio (LLR) output is obtained.