A fast correlator transform (FCT) algorithm and methods and systems for implementing same, correlate an encoded data word (X0-XM-1) with encoding coefficients (C0-CM-1), wherein each of (X0-XM-1) is represented by one or more bits and each said coefficient is represented by one or more bits, wherein each coefficient has k possible states, and wherein M is greater than 1. Substantially the same hardware can be utilized for processing in-phase and quadrature phase components of the data word (X0-XM-1). The coefficients (C0-CM-1) can represent real numbers and/or complex numbers. The coefficients (C0-CM-1) can be represented with a single bit or with multiple bits (e.g., magnitude). The coefficients (C0-CM-1) represent, for example, a cyclic code keying (“CCK”) code set substantially in accordance with IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard.