Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

This chapter offers a state-of-the-art review in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). It first introduces the history of ad hoc networks, explaining the ad hoc network concept and referring to the main characteristics of these networks and their fields of application. It then focuses on technologies and protocols specific to ad hoc networks. Firstly, it refers to relevant proposals targeting the PHY/MAC layers. Secondly, it discusses the different routing protocol proposals for ad hoc networks according to the category to which they belong. Finally, it includes an overview of the different protocols proposed for ad hoc networks at the transport layer. The chapter concludes with some remarks on future trends in these networks.