A method by a radio component of a wireless device for performing a listen-before-talk radio protocol in a communication system, comprising: receiving, by the radio component, from a baseband component of the wireless device, transmit data during a transmit-time interval associated with a synchronous wireless communication system; detecting, by the radio component, that a medium associated with an asynchronous communication system is available; and in response to detecting, transmitting, by the radio component, the transmit data on the medium during the transmit-time interval; wherein receiving the transmit data includes: receiving, by the radio component, from the baseband component, a first indication associated with enabling a channel-sensing mechanism of the radio component; in response to the first indication, enabling the channel-sensing mechanism; and wherein the radio component comprises a controller and detecting that the medium is available includes: receiving by the controller, from the channel-sensing mechanism, a second indication that the medium associated with the asynchronous communication system is available; in response to the second indication, sending by the controller, to a power amplifier of the radio component, a fourth indication to enable the power amplifier; and in response to the second indication, sending by the controller, to a transmitter of the radio component, a third indication to transmit the transmit data on the medium during the transmit-time interval. receiving, by the radio component, from a baseband component of the wireless device, transmit data during a transmit-time interval associated with a synchronous wireless communication system; detecting, by the radio component, that a medium associated with an asynchronous communication system is available; and in response to detecting, transmitting, by the radio component, the transmit data on the medium during the transmit-time interval; wherein receiving the transmit data includes: receiving, by the radio component, from the baseband component, a first indication associated with enabling a channel-sensing mechanism of the radio component; in response to the first indication, enabling the channel-sensing mechanism; and wherein the radio component comprises a controller and detecting that the medium is available includes: receiving by the controller, from the channel-sensing mechanism, a second indication that the medium associated with the asynchronous communication system is available; in response to the second indication, sending by the controller, to a power amplifier of the radio component, a fourth indication to enable the power amplifier; and in response to the second indication, sending by the controller, to a transmitter of the radio component, a third indication to transmit the transmit data on the medium during the transmit-time interval. receiving, by the radio component, from the baseband component, a first indication associated with enabling a channel-sensing mechanism of the radio component; in response to the first indication, enabling the channel-sensing mechanism; and wherein the radio component comprises a controller and detecting that the medium is available includes: receiving by the controller, from the channel-sensing mechanism, a second indication that the medium associated with the asynchronous communication system is available; in response to the second indication, sending by the controller, to a power amplifier of the radio component, a fourth indication to enable the power amplifier; and in response to the second indication, sending by the controller, to a transmitter of the radio component, a third indication to transmit the transmit data on the medium during the transmit-time interval.