Reducing handoff latency in a wireless local area network through an activation alert that affects a power state of a receiving mesh access point

A first wireless mesh access point comprising:

• a wireless communication interface;
• a processor coupled to said wireless communication interface;
• and
• a memory to store code which, when executed by said processor, results in said first wireless mesh access point sending an activation alert to one or more other mesh access points in a network to which said first wireless mesh access point belongs, wherein said activation alert, if received by a receiving mesh access point of said one or more other mesh access points in a low-power state upon receipt of said activation alert, results in said receiving mesh access point entering a higher-power state, and if received by said receiving mesh access point not in said low-power state upon receipt of said activation alert, results in said receiving mesh access point refraining from entering said low-power state;
• wherein said code, when executed by said processor, further results in:
• anticipating a probable handoff by a mobile station currently associated with said first wireless mesh access point;
• sending said activation alert to said one or more other mesh access points in response to anticipating said probable handoff;
• and
• determining that the quality of a wireless link between said mobile station and said first wireless mesh access point has dropped below a predetermined threshold, thus anticipating said probable handoff.

A first wireless mesh access point comprising:

• a communication interface through which said first wireless mesh access point is able to receive an activation alert originating from a second mesh access point;
• a processor coupled to said communication interface;
• and a memory to store code which, when executed by said processor,
• if said first wireless mesh access point is in a low-power state upon receipt of said activation alert, results in said first wireless mesh access point entering a higher-power state upon receipt of said activation alert, and
• if said first wireless mesh access point is not in said low-power state upon receipt of said activation alert, results in said first wireless mesh access point refraining from entering said low-power state upon receipt of said activation alert;
• wherein the sending of the activation alert is in response to the second wireless mesh access point determining that the quality of a wireless link between said second wireless mesh access point and a mobile station associated with said second wireless mesh access point has dropped below a predetermined threshold, thus anticipating a probable handoff by said mobile station.