A method includes processing error correction encoded data by a first processing chain of a transmitter. The processing includes interleaving a first portion of the error correction encoded data with respect to a first interleaving period to generate a first output signal. Interleaving the first portion includes de-multiplexing the first portion among multiple branches having respective delays in accordance with a distribution order and re-multiplexing delayed data from the branches to form the first output signal. The method includes processing the error correction encoded data by a second processing chain of the transmitter without use of interleaving to generate a second output signal. The method includes multiplexing the first output signal and the second output signal into a multiplexed stream. The method also includes transmitting the multiplexed stream from the transmitter over a communication channel to a receiver.