A system for detecting a burst in a wireless communications system. A signal strength indicator indicates the strength of an incoming signal representative of incoming packets. A signal strength change detector detects changes in the signal strength of the incoming signal. Signal strength detection logic determines if a change in signal strength of a predetermined magnitude has occurred. A pattern detector detects patterns of symbols, or symbol estimates, in the incoming signal to determine if a predetermined pattern of symbols is present. Burst detection logic signals detection of a burst if the signal strength detection logic determines that a change in signal strength of predetermined magnitude has occurred, and the pattern detector determines that a predetermined pattern of symbols is present.