Techniques for deriving and using noise estimate for data reception in a wireless communication system are described. A noise estimate may be derived for each packet received in a data transmission. The noise estimate may be derived by determining a phase offset between a first and second sample sequence, applying the phase offset to the first sample sequence to obtain a third sample sequence, and deriving the noise estimate based on the second and third sample sequences. Data detection may then be performed for each packet using the noise estimate for that packet. At least one weight may be derived for each packet using the noise estimate for the packet. Data detection is then performed for each packet with the at least one weight for the packet.