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Method, apparatus, and data packet format to implement transmit diversity in a multicarrier environment is disclosed. For diversity transmission operations, space frequency encoding techniques are employed creating distinguishable first and second time domain signals from a multicarrier frequency do

Method, apparatus, and data packet format to implement transmit diversity in a multicarrier environment is disclosed. For diversity transmission operations, space frequency encoding techniques are employed creating distinguishable first and second time domain signals from a multicarrier frequency domain symbol bearing data of interest, which are then broadcast in parallel over first and second transmission units respectively. For diversity reception operations, complementary space frequency decoding is used to recover a corrected multicarrier frequency domain symbol from a time domain signal containing either this symbol, a space frequency modified symbol based on the multicarrier symbol, or a possible partial/complete combination of both. The data packet format includes portions defining a transmission diversity semaphore, a preamble enabling training of a receiver receiving the data packet, and a payload. This payload includes plural data symbol pairs, each defining a first symbol for transmission by a first transmission unit of a diversity transmitter, and a second symbol for transmission by a second transmission unit of the diversity transmitter, the second symbol being derived from the first symbol.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A diversity transmitter, comprising: a symbol encoder configured to encode data in a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); a space frequency encoder responsive to said symbol encoder and configured to modify the MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified MFDS compr

What is claimed is: 1. A diversity transmitter, comprising: a symbol encoder configured to encode data in a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); a space frequency encoder responsive to said symbol encoder and configured to modify the MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS; a conversion unit responsive to said space frequency encoder and configured to convert the MFDS and the modified MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively in the first operational mode and convert the MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; an RF transmission unit responsive to the conversion unit and configured to transmit the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmit the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; and a control logic configured to control operation of the diversity transmitter to one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission mode. 2. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the MFDS comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 3. The transmitter of claim 2, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 4. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the RF transmission unit comprises: a first RF transmission unit comprising an RF upconverter to modulate the first time domain counterpart of the MFDS onto a first carrier signal in the first operational mode; and a second RF transmission unit comprising an RF upconverter to modulate the first time domain counterpart of the modified MFDS onto a second carrier signal in the first operational mode, wherein the first and second carrier signals operate in a common frequency channel. 5. The transmitter of claim 4, wherein the first time domain counterparts of the MFDS and the modified MFDS are transmitted by the first and second RF transmission units, respectively, at approximately the same time in the first operational mode. 6. The transmitter of claim 4, wherein the first time domain counterparts of the MFDS and the modified MFDS are transmitted by the first and second RF transmission units, respectively, in a staggered sequence in the first operational mode. 7. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein said conversion unit comprises: a first conversion unit configured to convert the MFDS into the first time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in the first operational mode; and a second conversion unit configured to convert the modified MFDS into the first time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in the first operational mode. 8. A diversity aware receiver, comprising: an RF receiver configured to receive a first time domain signal in a first operational mode and receive a second time domain signal in a second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS) and a modified MFDS, the modified MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS, and the second timing domain signal capable of defining the MFDS; a conversion unit responsive to said RF receiver and configured to generate a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generate a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the MFDS and the modified MFDS; a space frequency decoder responsive to said conversion unit and configured to decode the first composite signal in order to recover the MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode, and decode the second composite signal in order to recover the second MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode; and a control logic configured to control operation of the diversity aware receiver to one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy reception mode. 9. The receiver of claim 8, wherein the MFDS comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 10. The receiver of claim 9, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 11. A diversity transceiver, comprising: a receiver; and a diversity transmitter, comprising: a symbol encoder to encode data in a first multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); a space frequency encoder responsive to said symbol encoder and configured to modify the first MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified first MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the first MFDS; a conversion unit responsive to said space frequency encoder and configured to convert the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto in the first operational mode, and convert the first MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; an RF transmission unit responsive to the conversion unit and configured to transmit the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmit the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; and a control logic configured to control operation of the diversity transmitter to one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission/reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission/reception mode. 12. The transceiver of claim 11, wherein said receiver comprises: an RF receiver configured to receive a first time domain signal in the first operational mode and a second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS, and the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; a second conversion unit responsive to said RF receiver and configured to generate a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generate a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the modified second MFDS; and a space frequency decoder responsive to said second conversion unit and configured to recover the second MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode and recover the second MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode. 13. The transceiver of claim 12, wherein the modified second MFDS comprises a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the second MFDS. 14. The transceiver of claim 13, wherein the first MFDS and the second MFDS comprise an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 15. The transceiver of claim 14, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 16. The transceiver of claim 11, wherein the RF transmission unit comprises: a first RF transmission unit comprising an RF upconverter to modulate the first time domain counterpart of the first MFDS onto a first carrier signal in the first operational mode; and a second RF transmission unit comprising an RF upconverter to modulate the first time domain counterpart of the modified first MFDS onto a second carrier signal in the first operational mode, wherein the first and second carrier signals operate in a common frequency channel. 17. The transceiver of claim 11, wherein the first time domain counterparts of the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS are transmitted by the first and second RF transmission units, respectively, at approximately the same time in the first operational mode. 18. The transceiver of claim 11, wherein the first time domain counterparts of the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS are transmitted by the first and second RF transmission units, respectively, in a staggered sequence in the first operational mode. 19. The transceiver of claim 11, wherein said first conversion unit comprises: a third conversion unit configured to convert the first MFDS into the first time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in the first operational mode; and a fourth conversion unit configured to convert the modified first MFDS into the first time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in the first operational mode. 20. A network interface apparatus, comprising: a network interface capable of receiving outbound and inbound data; a diversity transceiver responsive to said network interface, comprising: a receiver; and a diversity transmitter, comprising: a symbol encoder to encode the outbound data in a first multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); a space frequency encoder responsive to said symbol encoder and configured to modify the first MFDS in the first operational mode, the modified first MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the first MFDS; a first conversion unit responsive to said space frequency encoder and configured to convert the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto in a first operational mode, and convert the first MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; an RF transmission unit configured to transmit the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmit the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; first and second antennae communicatively coupled to the RF transmission unit to broadcast the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode across a medium; and control logic configured to control operation of the diversity transmitter to one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission/reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission/reception mode. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said receiver comprises: an RF receiver configured to receive a first time domain signal in the first operational mode and receive a second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS, the modified second MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the second MFDS, and the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; a second conversion unit responsive to said RF receiver and configured to generate a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generate a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the modified second MFDS; and a space frequency decoder responsive to said conversion unit and configured to recover the second MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode and to recover the second MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode. 22. An information processing apparatus, comprising: an information processor; and a network interface apparatus responsive to said information processor, comprising: a network interface capable of receiving outbound and inbound data; and a diversity transceiver responsive to said network interface, comprising: a receiver; and a diversity transmitter, comprising: a symbol encoder to encode the outbound data in a first multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); a space frequency encoder responsive to said symbol encoder and configured to modify the first MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified first MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS; a conversion unit responsive to said space frequency encoder and configured to convert the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto in the first operational mode and convert the MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; an RF transmission unit configured to transmit the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode, and transmit the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; and control logic configured to control operation of the diversity transmitter to one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission/reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission/reception mode. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said receiver comprises: an RF receiver capable of receiving a first time domain signal in the first operational mode and a second time domain signal in the second operation mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS, and the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; a second conversion unit responsive to said RF receiver and configured to generate a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generate the second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the modified second MFDS; and a space frequency decoder responsive to said conversion unit and configured to recover the second MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode and recover the second MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode. 24. A diversity transmitter, comprising: means for encoding data in a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); means for modifying the MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS; means for converting the MFDS and the modified MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto in the first operational mode and converting the MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; means for transmitting the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmitting the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; and means for controlling the diversity transmitter to operate in one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission mode. 25. The transmitter of claim 24, wherein the MFDS comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 26. The transmitter of claim 25, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 27. The transmitter of claim 24, wherein said transmitting means comprises: first means for modulating the first time domain counterpart of the MFDS onto a first carrier signal in the first operational mode, and second means for modulating the first time domain counterpart of the modified MFDS onto a second carrier signal in the first operational mode, wherein the first and second carrier signals operate in a common frequency channel. 28. The transmitter of claim 24, wherein the first time domain counterparts are transmitted by the transmitting means at approximately the same time in the first operational mode. 29. The transmitter of claim 24, wherein the first time domain counterparts are transmitted by the transmitting means in a staggered sequence in the first operational mode. 30. The transmitter of claim 24, wherein said converting means comprises: first means for converting the MFDS into the first time domain counterpart thereof in the first operational mode; and second means for converting the modified MFDS into the first time domain counterpart thereof in the first operational mode. 31. A diversity aware receiver, comprising: means for receiving a first time domain signal in a first operational mode and a second time domain signal in a second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS) and a modified MFDS, the modified MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS, and the second time domain signal capable of defining the MFDS; means for generating a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generating a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the MFDS and the modified MFDS; means for decoding the first composite signal in the first operational mode and decoding the second composite signal in the second operational mode in order to recover the MFDS therefrom; and means for controlling the diversity aware receiver to operate in one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy reception mode. 32. The receiver of claim 31, wherein the MFDS comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 33. The receiver of claim 32, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 34. A diversity transceiver, comprising: a receiver; and a diversity transmitter, comprising: means for encoding data in a first multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); means for modifying the first MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified first MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the first MFDS; means for converting the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto in the first operational mode and converting the first MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; means for transmitting the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmitting the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; and means for controlling the diversity transmitter to operate in one of the first and second operational mode, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission/reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission/reception mode. 35. The transceiver of claim 34, wherein said receiver comprises: means for receiving a first time domain signal in the first operational mode and receiving a second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS and the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; means for generating a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generating a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the modified second MFDS; and means for recovering the MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode and recovering the MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode. 36. The transceiver of claim 35, wherein the modified second MFDS comprises a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the second MFDS. 37. The transceiver of claim 36, wherein the first MFDS and the second MFDS comprise an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 38. The transceiver of claim 37, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 39. The transceiver of claim 34, wherein said transmitting means comprises: first means for modulating the first time domain counterpart of the first MFDS onto a first carrier signal in the first operational mode; and second means for modulating the first time domain counterpart of the modified first MFDS onto a second carrier signal in the first operational mode, wherein the first and second carrier signals operate in a common frequency channel. 40. The transceiver of claim 34, wherein the first time domain counterparts are transmitted by said transmitting means at approximately the same time in the first operational mode. 41. The transceiver of claim 34, wherein the first time domain counterparts are transmitted by said transmitting means in a staggered sequence in the first operational mode. 42. The transceiver of claim 34, wherein said converting means comprises: first means for converting the first MFDS into the first time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in the first operational mode; and second means for converting the modified first MFDS into the first time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in the first operational mode. 43. A network interface apparatus, comprising: means for receiving outbound and inbound data; and a diversity transceiver, comprising; a receiver; and a diversity transmitter, comprising: means for encoding the outbound data in a first multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); means for modifying the first MFDS in the first operational mode, the modified first MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the first MFDS; means for converting the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto in the first operational mode and converting the first MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in the second operational mode; means for transmitting the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmitting the second time domain counter part in the second operational mode; means for broadcasting the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and broadcasting the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode across a medium; and means for controlling the diversity transmitter to operate in one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission/reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission/reception mode. 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said receiver comprises: means for receiving a first time domain signal in the first operational mode and receiving a second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS and the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; means for generating a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generating a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the modified second MFDS; and means for recovering the second MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode and recovering the second MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode. 45. An information processing apparatus, comprising: an information processor; and a network interface apparatus responsive to said information processor, comprising: means for receiving outbound and inbound data; and a diversity transceiver, comprising: a receiver; and a diversity transmitter, comprising: means for encoding the outbound data in a first multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); means for modifying the first MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified first MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the first MFDS; means for converting the first MFDS and the modified first MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto in the first operational mode and converting the first MFDS to a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; means for transmitting the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmitting the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; means for broadcasting the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and broadcasting the second time domain counter part in the second operational mode across a medium; and means for controlling the diversity transmitter to operate in one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission/reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission/reception mode. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said receiver comprises: means for receiving a first time domain signal in the first operational mode and a second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS and the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; means for generating a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode and generating a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the second modified symbol; and means for recovering the MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode and recovering the MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode. 47. A diversity transmitter, comprising: a symbol encoder configured to encode data in a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); a space frequency encoder responsive to said symbol encoder and configured to modify the MFDS in a first operational mode, the modified MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS; a conversion unit responsive to said space frequency encoder and configured to convert the MFDS and the modified MFDS into first time domain counterparts thereof, respectively, in the first operational mode and convert the MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto in a second operational mode; an RF transmission unit responsive to the conversion unit and configured to transmit the first time domain counterparts in the first operational mode and transmit the second time domain counterpart in the second operational mode; and a control logic configured to control operation of the diversity transmitter to one of the first and second operational modes, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission mode, wherein the RF transmission unit comprises: a first RF transmission unit comprising an RF upconverter to modulate the first time domain counterpart of the MFDS onto a first carrier signal in the first operational mode; and a second RF transmission unit comprising an RF upconverter to modulate the first time domain counterpart of the modified MFDS onto a second carrier signal in the first operational mode, wherein the first and second carrier signals operate in a common frequency channel, wherein the transmitter transmits the data in a first data packet format in the first operation mode and transmit the data in a second data packet format in the second operational mode, the first data packet format comprising: a first portion comprising a transmission diversity semaphore; a second portion adjacent to said first portion, said second portion comprising a preamble to enable training of a receiver receiving the data; and a third portion following said second portion, said third portion comprising a payload, the payload comprising a plurality of data symbol pairs, at least one of said data symbol pairs comprising the MFDS and the modified MFDS, wherein the first data packet format further comprises a fourth portion preceding the first portion, the fourth portion comprising a first preamble to enable training the receiver to the first RF transmission unit. 48. The diversity transmitter of claim 47, wherein said second portion comprises a second preamble to enable training of the receiver to the second RF transmission unit. 49. A transmit diversity communication method, comprising: controlling operation to one of a first operational mode and a second operational mode; encoding data in a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); modifying the MFDS when operating in the first operational mode, the modified MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS; converting the MFDS and the modified MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto when operating in the first operational mode; converting the MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto when operating in the second operational mode; transmitting the first time domain counterparts when operating in the first operational mode; and transmitting the second time domain counterpart when operating in the second operational mode, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission mode. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the MFDS comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 52. The method of claim 49, wherein said transmitting the first time domain counterparts comprises modulating the first time domain counterparts of the MFDS and the modified MFDS onto a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal, respectively, the first and second carrier signals operating in a common frequency channel. 53. The method of claim 49, wherein said transmitting the first time domain counterparts comprises transmitting the first time domain counterparts at approximately the same time. 54. The method of claim 49, wherein said transmitting the first time domain counterparts comprises transmitting the first time domain counterparts in a staggered sequence. 55. The method of claim 49, further comprising: receiving a first time domain signal in the first operational mode and a second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS and the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; generating a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the modified second MFDS; generating a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode; and recovering the second MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode; and recovering the second MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode. 56. A computer readable medium having a computer program embodying instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to transmit data, the computer readable medium comprising: instructions for controlling operation to one of a first operational mode and a second operational mode; instructions for encoding data in a multicarrier frequency domain symbol (MFDS); instructions for modifying the MFDS when operating in the first operational mode, the modified MFDS comprising a re-ordered subcarrier complex conjugate of the MFDS; instructions for converting the MFDS and the modified MFDS into first time domain counterparts respectively corresponding thereto when operating in the first operational mode; instructions for converting the MFDS into a second time domain counterpart corresponding thereto when operating in the second operational mode; instructions for transmitting the first time domain counterparts when operating in the first operational mode; and instructions for transmitting the second time domain counterpart when operating in the second operational mode, wherein the first operational mode is a diversity transmission/reception mode and the second operational mode is a legacy transmission/reception mode. 57. The computer readable medium of claim 56, wherein the MFDS comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoded symbol. 58. The computer readable medium of claim 57, wherein the OFDM encoded symbol is encoded in compliance with at least one of IEEE Standard 802.11a and IEEE Standard 802.11g supplements to the IEEE Standard 802.11 (1999). 59. The computer readable medium of claim 56, wherein said instructions for transmitting the first time domain counterparts comprises instructions for modulating the first time domain counterparts of the MFDS and the modified MFDS onto a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal, respectively, the first and second carrier signals operating in a common frequency channel. 60. The computer readable medium of claim 56, wherein said instructions for transmitting the first time domain counterparts comprises instructions for transmitting the first time domain counterparts at approximately the same time in the first operational mode. 61. The computer readable medium of claim 56, wherein said instructions for transmitting the first time domain counterparts comprises instructions for transmitting the first time domain counterparts in a staggered sequence in the first operational mode. 62. The computer readable medium of claim 56, further comprising: instructions for receiving a first time domain signal operational mode, the first time domain signal capable of defining a second MFDS and a modified second MFDS; instructions for receiving a second time domain signal in the second operational mode, the second time domain signal capable of defining the second MFDS; instructions for generating a first composite signal based on the first time domain signal in the first operational mode, the first composite signal including at least an incomplete analog sum of the second MFDS and the modified second MFDS; instructions for generating a second composite signal based on the second time domain signal in the second operational mode; instructions for recovering the second MFDS from the first composite signal in the first operational mode; and instructions for recovering the second MFDS from the second composite signal in the second operational mode.