Scalable PLCP header extension within PSDU

Next generation UWB design needs additional header information fields than present in current ECMA-368 specification. However extending the ECMA-368 header beyond the available reserved bits while being compatible with legacy devices is a challenge. In this paper, we propose a scalable Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) header extension within the Physical Layer Service Data Unit (PSDU) that allows for header extension beyond the reserved bits. The proposed mechanism also attempts to opportunistically convey the additional header information utilizing the padding bits present in the PSDU.