Network allocation vector (NAV)-based opportunistic prescanning process for WLANs

Abstract

Tracking neighbouring access points (APs) or channels is an essential function to achieve fast handoff over WLAN. However, scanning other channels interrupts the ongoing communications of a station. To minimise this, the proposed method utilises a network allocation vector (NAV) to scan neighbouring channels, so that a station is able to track neighbouring APs without additional communication interruptions.