In a wireless local area network ("WLAN"), a system and method for assisting the timing calculation associated with the transmission timing of packets or data frames through the air. The present utilizes the baseband PHY processor to detect the trailing edge of the radio frequency ("RF") packet and prevents the WLAN device from transmitting for a pre-determined amount of time. This improved system and method thereby frees the medium access controller ("MAC") from utilizing significant microprocessor cycles for synchronization calculations and thereby increases system throughput and reduces the possibility of fast-turnaround protocol timing errors.