Ad hoc network enables network creation on the fly without support of any predefined infrastructure. The spontaneous erection of networks in anytime and anywhere fashion enables development of various novel applications based on ad hoc networks. However, at the same ad hoc network presents several new challenges. Different research proposals have came forward to resolve these challenges. This chapter provides a survey of current issues, solutions and research trends in wireless ad hoc network. Even though various surveys are already available on the topic, rapid developments in recent years call for an updated account on this topic. The chapter has been organized as follows. In the first part of the chapter, various ad hoc network's issues arising at different layers of TCP/IP protocol stack are presented. An overview of research proposals to address each of these issues is also provided. The second part of the chapter investigates various emerging models of ad hoc networks, discusses their distinctive properties and highlights various research issues arising due to these properties. We specifically provide discussion on ad hoc grids, ad hoc clouds, wireless mesh networks and cognitive radio ad hoc networks. The chapter ends with presenting summary of the current research on ad hoc network, ignored research areas and directions for further research.Keywords: Ad hoc network, research issues, ad hoc grid, ad hoc cloud, wireless mesh network, cognitive radio ad hoc network
INTRODUCTIONDuring last few years, extensive developments have been observed in the domain of wireless network. Different communication technologies i.e. general packet radio service (GPRS), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) etc. have evolved and newer form of computing devices i.e. personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets and smart phones are appearing in the market. The wireless computing has progressed from 1G to 4G communication networks. During this progression, various modes of wireless networking have emerged. The simplest form of wireless networking is communication among two or more fixed hosts in open air. The conventional television system operates on this mode. Another approach is wireless networking with access point. There are different wireless hosts that are allowed to move while the basic infrastructure is supported by set of fixed nodes called base stations or access points. However, this approach doesn't provide the flexibility to be used in emergency situations requiring quick deployment or networking in adversarial surroundings. The evolution of technologies has lead to development a new mode of wireless networking where the nodes arrange themselves on the fly in the form of a network without any infrastructure support. Such networks are called ad hoc networks.
Properties of ad hoc networkFormally, Ad hoc Network G(N,E) is defined as a collection of nodes N={n 1 ,n 2 ,n 3 ,…} connected by edges ܧ ⊆ ܰ × ܰ (Islam and Shaikh 2012). The nodes are us...