Hello. I’m currently prototyping a project where I am very interested in using Wi-Fi HaLow + MCU (probably a STM32) instead of traditional Wi-Fi.
One key requirement is the ability to operate in a fully passive reception mode — meaning the device should not transmit any frames (including probe requests, association attempts, etc.) unless explicitly instructed by the user. Ideally, the device would simply monitor and detect APs that come into range, without actively querying for them.
I know that my problem can be solved by adding a LoRa receiver, for example, for passive detection, but I would prefer to avoid adding extra hardware unless absolutely necessary.
My main question:
Can the STA perform fully passive scanning — i.e., only listening for beacons and other AP transmissions, without sending probe requests or any other packets?
In my application, it would be perfectly acceptable for the AP periodically “appearing” to act as the signal for when the STA may begin transmission.