Patent ID: 8411616

Claim:
A method executed by a first fixed location wireless device for improving initial channel selection in a wireless network where a plurality of fixed location wireless devices are contemporaneously initialized, comprising the steps of: transmitting, on a predetermined channel, at least one message including an identifier of the first device; transmitting, on the predetermined channel, at least one message indicative of readiness to transition to a subsequent step, wherein transmitting at least one message indicative of readiness to transition to a subsequent step is not executed until (a) a minimum number of messages are received from each identified device, and (b) a predetermined minimum amount of time has elapsed, and further including: delaying transition to commencing scanning by a time indicated by a countdown timer; transmitting, on the predetermined channel, an indication of countdown timer state; and receiving messages including device identifiers from other fixed location wireless devices; and commencing scanning for channel selection purposes after the message including the identifier of the first device and the message indicative of readiness have been transmitted.