ABSTRACT
Ad hoc wireless networks are communication networks without a well-defined infrastructure. These networks
are established on demand to satisfy a specific need for communication and exist for a shorter time period.
The communication devices in an ad hoc network may be mobile and without ties to a fixed topological
infrastructure. As the devices move, the network topology changes. The devices in ad hoc networks are the
source and destination of information being exchanged, and they also act as intermediate devices to relay
information between two devices located outside the communication range of each other. These networks
have dynamic topology, bandwidth-constrained variable capacity wireless links, energy-constrained operation,
and limited physical security. These networks have tremendous potential for commercial and military
applications. They are useful for providing support where no communication infrastructure exists, or its
deployment is economically not feasible. Their potential applications include emergency situations,
healthcare, home networking, and disaster recovery operations. In this chapter, we discuss opportunities
and challenges posed by ad hoc wireless communication networks.
