A method is provided for operating a dual-use wireless device. The method includes: receiving an external timing signal at a first wireless circuit in the device; synchronizing a first clock in the first wireless circuit with the external timing signal; sending a first internal timing signal from the first wireless circuit to a second wireless circuit in the device, after the synchronizing; and listening for a remote periodic control signal at the second wireless circuit for a set monitoring time, a start of the monitoring time being based on the first internal timing signal. The second wireless circuit sends an association request if the second wireless circuit hears the remote periodic control signal within the monitoring time, and sends a local periodic control signal if the second wireless circuit does not hear the remote periodic control signal within the monitoring time.
