A method for wirelessly transmitting user data and control information using a plurality of transmission layers, comprising: encoding (1002, 1004) bits of a first type of control information to form one or more control codewords of the first type of control information; encoding bits of a second type of control information to form one or more control words of the second type of control information; encoding bits of user data to form one or more user data codewords; generating (1008, 1010, 1012, 1014) a plurality of vector symbols based on the control codewords and the user data codewords, each vector symbol comprising a plurality of modulation symbols that are each associated with a transmission layer over which the associated modulation symbol will be transmitted, wherein generating the plurality of vector symbols comprises interleaving bits of the one or more control codewords of the first type, bits of the one or more control words of the second type, and bits of the one or more user data codewords so that: the first type of control information is carried in modulation symbols associated with all transmission layers in all the vector symbols transmitted during the subframe that carry the first type of control information; and at least one of the generated vector symbols that carries control information of the second type also carries user data; and transmitting the plurality of vector symbols to a receiver over a plurality of transmission layers. encoding (1002, 1004) bits of a first type of control information to form one or more control codewords of the first type of control information; encoding bits of a second type of control information to form one or more control words of the second type of control information; encoding bits of user data to form one or more user data codewords; generating (1008, 1010, 1012, 1014) a plurality of vector symbols based on the control codewords and the user data codewords, each vector symbol comprising a plurality of modulation symbols that are each associated with a transmission layer over which the associated modulation symbol will be transmitted, wherein generating the plurality of vector symbols comprises interleaving bits of the one or more control codewords of the first type, bits of the one or more control words of the second type, and bits of the one or more user data codewords so that: the first type of control information is carried in modulation symbols associated with all transmission layers in all the vector symbols transmitted during the subframe that carry the first type of control information; and at least one of the generated vector symbols that carries control information of the second type also carries user data; and transmitting the plurality of vector symbols to a receiver over a plurality of transmission layers. the first type of control information is carried in modulation symbols associated with all transmission layers in all the vector symbols transmitted during the subframe that carry the first type of control information; and at least one of the generated vector symbols that carries control information of the second type also carries user data; and transmitting the plurality of vector symbols to a receiver over a plurality of transmission layers.