Method and System for Time Based WLAN Scanning

Abstract

Certain aspects of a method and system for time based wireless local area network (WLAN) scanning may include controlling scanning of a plurality of wireless access points in one or more WLANs by a WLAN station based on one or more factors comprising power consumed by the WLAN station based on the scanning, and/or a priority level of one or more media packets to be handled by the WLAN station. The information may be acquired for one or more of the plurality of wireless access points in one or more WLANs during the controlled scanning.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:
 obtaining, at a wireless station, information about a candidate wireless access point (WAP) from a current WAP, wherein the information is related to communication with the candidate WAP;   processing the information about the candidate WAP, using processing circuitry of the wireless device, to determine a time to tune the wireless device to a target frequency used by the candidate WAP for wireless communication; and   tuning to the target frequency at the time determined.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 information indicating a beacon interval associated with the target WAP.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 timing information provided in an absolute time reference.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 timing information provided in a relative time reference indicating a timing difference relative to a known timing reference.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining comprises:
 receiving the information about the candidate WAP in a beacon frame generated by the current WAP.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining comprise:
 receiving the information about the candidate WAP in a response frame generated by the current WAP.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining comprises:
 receiving the information about the candidate WAP as part of a media access control (MAC) layer frame.   
     
     
         8 . A wireless local area network (WLAN) station comprising:
 wireless circuitry configured to receive, via a WLAN, information about a candidate wireless access point (WAP) from a current WAP, wherein the information is related to communication with the candidate WAP;   a processor configured to process the information about the candidate WAP to determine a time to tune the wireless circuitry to a target frequency used by the candidate WAP for wireless communication; and   the processor further configured to tune the wireless circuitry to the target frequency at the time determined.   
     
     
         9 . The WLAN station according to  claim 8 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 information indicating a beacon interval associated with the target WAP.   
     
     
         10 . The WLAN station according to  claim 8 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 information obtained by the current WAP from the candidate WAP   
     
     
         11 . The WLAN station according to  claim 10 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 information obtained via side signaling.   
     
     
         12 . The WLAN station according to  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 process a beacon frame generated by the current WAP to obtain the information about the candidate WAP.   
     
     
         13 . The WLAN station according to  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 obtain the information about the candidate WAP from a reassociation response frame.   
     
     
         14 . The WLAN station according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the information about the candidate WAP is obtained by measurements made by the current WAP.   
     
     
         15 . A system for wireless communication, the system comprising:
 a wireless local area network (WLAN) station configured to be wirelessly coupled to a wireless access point (WAP);   the WLAN station including:
 circuitry configured to receive, from the WAP, information about a candidate wireless access point (WAP); 
 a processor configured to process the information about the candidate WAP schedule tuning to a target frequency used by the candidate WAP for wireless communication; and 
 the processor further configured to tune the wireless circuitry to the target frequency according to the schedule. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 information indicating a beacon interval broadcast by the target WAP.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 information obtained by measuring communication characteristics of the candidate WAP.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the information about the candidate WAP comprises:
 information obtained via side signaling.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 process a beacon frame generated by the WAP to obtain the information about the candidate WAP.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 obtain the information about the candidate WAP from a response frame.