1. A method, comprising: performing one of: transmitting a code word that includes at least a portion that is encoded from a signal based value using an approximation of a combinatorial function based on a linear combination of a set of basis functions, wherein the signal based value is a pulse vector and represents one or more aspects of a signal that is received; and receiving a code word and decoding at least a portion of the code word to a signal based value using an approximation of a combinatorial function based on a linear combination of basis functions, wherein the signal based value is a pulse vector and represents one or more aspects of a signal, and transmitting the signal; receiving at least one vector characteristic value; and determining a length of the code word or portion thereof from the approximation of the combinatorial functions by using the at least one vector characteristic value, wherein the at least one characteristic value is one of a pulse count (m) and a vector length (n).