IEEE 802.11 WLAN CLIENT DEVICE WITH TWO WIRELESS INTERFACES FOR IMPROVING SCANNING PERFORMANCE DURING ROAMING

摘要

A wireless mobile device interacts with a proximate wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Access Points (APs), and uses a scanning interface configured to perform scanning; and, a communication interface configured to perform at least data communication. The two interfaces are expediently co-located in the same wireless device. If the scanning device is dedicated for performing scanning operations, it will free the communication interface from vacating its channel to perform scanning. The dedicated scanning interface generates a more thorough 'picture' of the wireless environment or neighborhood which the wireless device is operating in. This neighborhood information compiled by the scanning interface is then used by the communication interface for making effective decisions on which target AP to connect to during roaming. The invention is applicable to wireless systems that require seamless mobility support, such as in WUSB, 4G cellular and IEEE 802.11. Applications include patient monitoring and VoIP.