A method for selecting at least one operating parameter of a communication system (100). The method can include determining a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) for a communication signal (330). An intermediate value (D) for the communication signal can be determined based on, at least in part, a received value (r.sub.i) of at least one known datum, a predetermined value (p.sub.i) of the known datum and a channel estimate ({tilde over (h)}.sub.i). Further, a carrier to interference and noise ratio (CINR) can be estimated based on, at least in part, the RSSI and the intermediate value. The operating parameter can be selected based on, at least in part, the estimated CINR.