Various embodiments include wireless client device comprising an application subsystem including a processor and a storage device coupled to the processor, a communication subsystem coupled to the application subsystem, the communication subsystem including a media access control (MAC) device and a physical (PHY) device, wherein the physical device is operably coupled to the processor of the application subsystem, wherein the physical device is operable to receive a wireless signal, to analyze the wireless signal for at least one aspect of wireless performance, and to determine if the at least one aspect of wireless performance can be improved, wherein, if it is determined that the at least one aspect of wireless performance can be improved, the physical device is operable to pass the wireless signal to the processor of the application subsystem for processing of the wireless signal within the processor.