Patent ID: 8867563

Claim:
A method for encapsulating a payload for transmission through a network comprising: programming a legacy physical layer length value in a legacy physical layer preamble, wherein said legacy physical layer length value is expressed in units of bytes, wherein said legacy physical layer preamble is configured to be properly received by a set of stations on a network, even if a legacy station is in said set of stations; reappropriating a separate physical layer length field in a separate physical layer preamble to carry an alternative quantum of information, wherein the separate physical layer length field is originally appropriated to include a separate physical layer length value that is derived by dividing the legacy physical layer length value by a legacy number of bytes per symbol and subtracting a number of symbols in the separate physical layer preamble; forming a packet for transmission on the network, wherein the packet includes the payload, the legacy physical layer preamble and the separate physical layer preamble; and transmitting the packet to the network.