Systems and methods for implementing protected access based on a null data packet in a wireless network

A station comprising:

• a transceiver configured to receive a synchronization signal from an access point;
• and
• a generation module configured to generate a medium access control protocol data unit based on the synchronization signal,
• wherein the transceiver is configured to (i) transmit the medium access control protocol data unit to the access point, and (ii) receive an acknowledgment signal based on the transmission of the medium access control protocol data unit, wherein the synchronization signal or the acknowledgment signal comprises a null data packet frame, wherein the null data packet frame comprises a legacy signal field, and wherein the legacy signal field comprises a length of a portion of the null data packet frame subsequent to the legacy signal field.

A method of operating an access point, the method comprising:

• generate synchronization signal;
• transmitting via a transceiver the synchronization signal to a station;
• receiving a medium access control protocol data unit based on the synchronization signal during a transmit opportunity period for the station;
• generating an acknowledgment signal based on the reception of the medium access control protocol data unit, wherein the synchronization signal or the acknowledgment signal includes a null data packet frame, and wherein the null data packet frame comprises a legacy signal field, wherein the legacy signal field comprises a length of a portion of the null data packet frame subsequent to the legacy signal field;
• and
• transmitting via the transceiver the acknowledgment signal to the station.

A method of operating a station, the method comprising:

• receiving via a transceiver a synchronization signal from an access point;
• generating a medium access control protocol data unit based on the synchronization signal;
• transmitting via the transceiver the medium access control protocol data unit to the access point;
• and
• receiving via the transceiver an acknowledgment signal based on the transmission of the medium access control protocol data unit,
• wherein the synchronization signal or the acknowledgment signal comprises a null data packet frame, wherein the null data packet frame comprises a legacy signal field, and wherein the legacy signal field comprises a length of a portion of the null data packet frame subsequent to the legacy signal field.