1. A method, comprising one of: transmitting a code word that 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 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 represents one or more aspects of a signal, and transmitting the signal.