Mobile Ad hoc Network – Definition, Features, Applications

Mobile Ad hoc Network – Definition, Features, Applications

What is Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET)?

Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) also called a wireless Adhoc network or Adhoc wireless network that is characterized by dynamic topology and no fixed infrastructure.

Mobile Ad hoc Network consists of a set of mobile nodes connected wirelessly in a self-configured, self-managed network without having a fixed infrastructure.

Mobile Ad hoc Network usually has a routable networking environment on top of a Link Layer ad hoc network.

MANET nodes are free to move randomly as the network topology changes frequently.

Each node behaves as a router because they forward traffic to other specified nodes in the network.

 

 

Mobile Ad hoc Networks may operate as standalone patterns or they can be part of larger internet.

Mobile Ad hoc Network forms highly-dynamic autonomous topology with the presence of one or multiple different transceivers between nodes.

The main challenge for the Mobile Ad hoc Network is to be equipped with devices that continuously maintain the information required to properly route traffic.

Mobile Ad hoc Network consists of a peer-to-peer, self-forming, self-managed network MANET’s circa 2000-2015 typically communicate at radio frequencies (30MHz-5GHz).

This can be used in road safety, ranging from sensors for the environment, home, health, disaster rescue operations, air/land/navy defense, weapons, robots, etc.

Mobile Ad hoc Network is a decentralized network where all network activities such as discovering topology, shortest path, and forwarding information all are executed by the node itself means all the routing capabilities are inbuilt in the nodes.

 

Characteristics of Mobile Ad hoc Network –

• Dynamic Topologies: Network topology which is typically multi hops, may change randomly and rapidly with time, it can form unidirectional or bi-directional links.
• Bandwidth constrained, variable capacity links: Wireless links usually have lower reliability, efficiency, stability, and capacity as compared to a wired network.
• The throughput of wireless communication is even less than a radio’s maximum transmission rate after dealing with the constraints like multiple access, noise, interference conditions, etc.
• Autonomous Behavior: Each node can act as a host and router, which shows its autonomous behavior.
• Energy Constrained Operation: As some or all the nodes rely on batteries or other exhaustible means for their energy. Mobile nodes are characterized by less memory, power, and lightweight features.
• Limited Security: Wireless network is more prone to security threats. A centralized firewall is absent due to its distributed nature of the operation for security, routing, and host configuration.
• Less Human Intervention: They require minimum human intervention to configure the network, therefore they are dynamically autonomous in nature.

Properties of Mobile Ad hoc Network

• Mobile Ad hoc Network consumes limited power. It is capable to establish a fast network with the available set of nodes.
• It has a limited capacity that it can connect a node to the nearby node to form a network.
• Using the service discovery protocol Mobile Ad hoc Network can discover nearby service and the associated node.
• Mobile Ad hoc Network has pear to pear connectivity among them.
• Mobile Ad hoc Network nodes have independent computational, switching, and communication capability.
• The wireless connectivity range is only to connect the nearby nodes in the Mobile Ad hoc Network.
• The failure in the intermediate node results in greater latency in communication.
• Mobile Ad hoc Network nodes can be mobile phones, tablets, laptops, smart sensors, and automobile embedded systems.
• Mobile Ad hoc Network uses a variety of protocols such as Bluetooth, 802.11, Irda, ZigBee, TCP/IP, GSM, etc.
• Mobile Ad hoc Network performs data caching, saving, and aggregation.

Mobile Ad hoc Network Challenges

• Limited bandwidth
• Dynamic topology
• Limited security
• Complex routing

 

Pros and Cons of MANET –

Pros:

1. Separation from central network administration.
2. Each node can play both the roles ie. of router and host showing autonomous nature.
3. Self-configuring and self-healing nodes, do not require human intervention.

Cons:

1. Resources are limited due to various constraints like noise, interference conditions, etc.
2. Lack of authorization facilities.
3. More prone to attacks due to limited physical security.

  

Applications of Mobile Adhoc Network

Some specific applications of ad hoc networks include industrial and commercial applications involving cooperative mobile data exchange.

There are many existing and future military networking requirements for robust, IP-compliant data services within mobile wireless communication networks, with many of these networks consist of highly-dynamic autonomous topology segments.

Advanced features of Mobile ad hoc networks, including data rates compatible with multimedia applications global roaming capability, and coordination with other network structures are enabling new applications.

• Defense applications:

Many defense applications require on the fly communications set-up, and ad hoc/sensor networks are excellent candidates for use in battlefield management.

• Crisis management applications:

These arise, for example, as a result of natural disasters in which the entire communication infrastructure is in disarray. Restoring communications quickly is essential.

• Telemedicine:

The paramedic assisting the victim of a traffic accident in a remote location must access medical records (e.g. X-rays) and may need video conference assistance from a surgeon for an emergency intervention.

In fact, the paramedic may need to instantaneously relay back to the hospital the victim’s X-rays and other diagnostic tests from the site of the accident.

• Tele-geoprocessing application:

The combination of GPS, GIS (Geographical Information Systems), and high-capacity wireless mobile systems enable a new type of application referred to as tele-geoprocessing.

• Virtual Navigation:

A remote database contains the graphical representation of the building, streets, and physical characteristics of a large metropolis.

They may also “virtually” see the internal layout of buildings, including an emergency rescue plan, or find possible points of interest.

• Education via the internet:

Educational opportunities are available on the internet or in remote areas because of the economic infeasibility of providing expensive last-mile wireline internet access in these areas to all subscribers.

• Vehicular area network

This a growing and very useful application of the Adhoc networks in providing emergency services and other information.

This is equally effective in both urban and rural setup. The basic and exchange necessary data that is beneficial in a given situation.