An apparatus, method and wireless device for fast scanning of a wireless communications medium are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes tuning a transceiver of the wireless node to a first frequency. The method further includes computing a first difference frequency, the first difference frequency being a difference between the first frequency and a second frequency. The method further includes generating a first control signal to configure a first backscattering device to switch between at least two states at a switching frequency equal to the first difference frequency.