What is a Wireless Ad Hoc Network?
A wireless ad hoc network is a temporary, multi-hop autonomous system composed of mobile nodes that can achieve dynamic networking without relying on pre-established infrastructure. Its core characteristics include self-organizing network topology, distributed multi-hop routing, and adaptive survivability, enabling rapid deployment in complex environments such as battlefield communications and emergency response. This technology originated from military communication requirements like the ALOHA network in 1968 and has now expanded to civilian applications including urban counter-terrorism, power inspection, and drone formation operations. Through dynamic routing protocols such as AODV and OLSR, the system achieves reliable communication despite node mobility, with a single-hop transmission range of 1-2 kilometers, supporting real-time voice, video, and data transmission.
