Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for communicating control information in a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) service data unit (PSDU) on one or more tones of the PSDU that are not used for transmitting data (or pilot signals). One example method for wireless communications generally includes generating a packet comprising a PSDU having control information conveyed in one or more tones of the PSDU that are not used for transmitting data, processing the packet to generate a signal, and transmitting the signal.