In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a first portion of a sync field of a packet at a receiver. The sync field includes the first portion and a second portion. The packet includes the sync field and a payload field. The method includes detecting a sync word associated with the packet. The sync word is detected based on the first portion of the sync field and prior to receiving the second portion of the sync field. The method initiates a demodulation stage of the receiver prior to receiving an initial bit of the payload field. Initiating the demodulation stage prior to receipt of the initial bit of the payload field enables a demodulator to perform initial demodulation activity prior to demodulation of the payload field. Demodulation continues if, after the second portion is received, the entire received sync field matches the detected sync word.