A method for generating a preamble of a frame for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication begins by, for a first transmit antenna of the MIMO communication, generating a legacy preamble portion for the frame in accordance with a legacy wireless communication protocol, wherein the legacy preamble portion includes at least a first training sequence and a second training sequence and generating a current protocol preamble portion for the frame in accordance with a protocol of the MIMO wireless communication. The processing continues, for at least a second antenna of the MIMO communication, by generating a cyclically shifted legacy preamble portion for the frame, wherein the cyclically shifted legacy preamble portion includes at a cyclically shifted first training sequence and a cyclically shifted second training sequence, wherein the cyclically shifted first training sequence is time-shifted with respect to the first training sequence by a fraction of duration of the legacy preamble portion, and wherein the cyclically shifted second training sequence is time-shifted with respect to the second training sequence by the fraction of duration of the legacy preamble portion and generating a second current protocol preamble portion for the frame in accordance with a protocol of the MIMO wireless communication.