Methods and systems for reducing mac layer handoff latency in wireless networks
AssigneeThe Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
InventorsAndrea G. Forte, Henning G. Schulzrinne, Sangho Shin, Anshuman S. Rawat
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, computer implemented methods and systems are provided for reducing handoff latency in a wireless network. In response to detecting that a handoff is necessary, the present invention uses a selective scanning algorithm that includes the use of a channel mask and/or a caching algorithm for detecting one or more new access points.
Claims28
1-23. (canceled)
A method for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the method comprising:
- associating with a first access point;
- determining whether a handoff is necessary;
- performing a selective scan of channels at the mobile station in response to determining that the handoff is necessary, wherein the selective scan comprises accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station, detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points, and determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points;
- and
- associating with the second access point, wherein information that identifies the second access point is stored in the mobile station.
A system for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the method comprising:
- a processor that:
- associates with a first access point;
- determines whether a handoff is necessary;
- performs a selective scan of channels at the mobile station in response to determining that the handoff is necessary, wherein the selective scan comprises accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station, detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points, and determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points;
- and
- associate with the second access point, wherein information that identifies the second access point is stored in the mobile station.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the method comprising:
- associating with a first access point;
- determining whether a handoff is necessary;
- performing a selective scan of channels at the mobile station in response to determining that the handoff is necessary, wherein the selective scan comprises accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station, detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points, and determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points;
- and
- associating with the second access point, wherein information that identities the second access point is stored in the mobile station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.