Method for enabling periodic scanning in wireless communication networks

1. A method for enabling periodic scanning in a mesh network, the method comprising:

transmitting from a first access point an announcement that it will be temporarily unavailable, wherein the announcement includes:

a first information element for quieting a station associated with the access point during a time period, wherein the first information element comprises a Quiet Element; and

a second information element for instructing a neighboring access point to temporarily suspend transmissions to the access point during the time period that the stations are quieted, wherein the second information element comprises a scan indicator element.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the announcement comprises an off-channel announcement.

3. A method for enabling periodic scanning in a mesh network, the method comprising:

communicating a scan announcement including a time period from the first access point to one or more neighbor access points and one or more associated stations, wherein the scan announcement comprises:

a first information element comprising a Quiet Element for quieting the associated stations during the time period; and

a second information element comprising a scan indicator element for instructing the neighboring in access points to temporarily suspend transmissions to the access point during the time period that the stations are quieted;

during the time period:

executing the scan by the access point;

queuing one or more packets destined for the access point by each of the neighbor access points; and

stopping communication by each of the associated stations.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising after the time period:

sending the queued packets from each of the neighbor access points to the access point; and

resuming communications by the associated stations.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising in response to receiving the scan announcement and prior to the time period:

setting up a queue for the access point within each of the neighbor access points; and

scheduling a stop communication during the time period within each associated station.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising prior to sending the scan announcement:

scheduling a periodic scan during the time period by the access point using an internal timing of the access point.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the scan announcement comprises an off-channel announcement.