Topics in ad hoc and sensor networks

Summary form only given. In this framework under continuous evolution, the mobile ad hoc network (MANET) technology played a seminal role. It first introduced the concept of “infrastructureless” communication, opening new research directions and challenges. However, while this produced one of the hugest research efforts in the networking community, MANET technology found applications only in very specialized scenarios. As a counterpart, some of the technologies that have their roots in MANET, such as sensor networks, mesh networks, and opportunistic networks, became part of our daily life. As discussed in this issue of Ad Hoc and Sensor. Networks, while MANETs are trying to face several problems and respond to the multiple criticisms they have collected in recent years, the technologies “derived” by MANET technology are now producing more concrete results and start to be applied in the real world.