Wireless network roaming timer method and apparatus

Abstract

A mobile station in a wireless network includes a roaming timer. The roaming timer is set based on various criteria, and when the roaming timer expires, an attempt to roam is performed.

1 . A method to initiate roaming in a mobile station, wherein the mobile station is associated with a first access point, the method comprising:
 communicating with the first access point to receive a request to end the association of the mobile station with the first access point and associate the mobile station with a second access point; and   associating the mobile station with the second access point responsive to the request.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile station comprises a roaming timer, and wherein associating the mobile station with the second access point responsive to the request comprises:
 resetting the roaming timer, wherein the roaming timer is to determine a delay time of associating the mobile station with the second access point responsive to the determination.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a number of missed beacons from the first access point; and   comparing the number of missed beacons from the first access point with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a number of retransmissions of packets or frames to the first access point; and   comparing the number of retransmissions of packets or frames to the first access point with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that the second access point is better than the first access point.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a data rate of transmissions of packets or frames to the first access point; and   comparing the data rate of transmissions of packets or frames to the first access point with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining an average received signal strength indicator (RSSI) from received packets or frames from the first access point; and   comparing the RSSI with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile station and the access point are operable in accordance with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11v and/or IEEE 802.11k. 
     
     
         9 . A mobile station comprising:
 an omni-directional antenna;   a radio interface coupled to the omni-directional antenna to interact with a first access point; and   a processor coupled to the radio interface, wherein the processor is to:
 communicate with the first access point to receive a request to end the association of the mobile station with the first access point and associate the mobile station with a second access point; and 
 associate the mobile station with the second access point responsive to the request. 
   
     
     
         10 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein the mobile station further comprises a roaming timer, and wherein the processor to associate the mobile station with the second access point responsive to the request is to:
 reset the roaming timer, wherein the roaming timer is to determine a delay time of associating the mobile station with the second access point responsive to the determination.   
     
     
         11 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is to further to:
 determine a number of missed beacons from the first access point; and   compare the number of missed beacons from the first access point with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         12 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is to further to:
 determine a number of retransmissions of packets or frames to the first access point; and   compare the number of retransmissions of packets or frames to the first access point with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         13 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is to further to:
 determine that the second access point is better than the first access point.   
     
     
         14 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is to further to:
 determine a data rate of transmissions of packets or frames to the first access point; and   compare the data rate of transmissions of packets or frames to the first access point with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         15 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is to further to:
 determine an average received signal strength indicator (RSSI) from received packets or frames from the first access point; and   compare the RSSI with a corresponding threshold.   
     
     
         16 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein the mobile station and the access point are to operate in accordance with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11v and/or IEEE 802.11k.