Challenges for Quality of Service (QoS) in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs)

Next generation of wireless communication systems are engineered to service independent mobile users. These independent mobile users (nodes) are connected by wireless links build a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). The nodes in this system work together only based on mutual agreement without knowing about the network topology around themselves. Maintaining appropriate quality of service (QoS) for these networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) is a complex task because of the dynamic behavior of the network topology. Moreover, the size of the ad-hoc network is related to the QoS of the network. In addition, mobile ad-hoc networks have a significant role in the future operation of wireless communication systems. Consequently, these networks should be able to provide the required QoS for the users. In this paper we discuss and analyze the dynamic nature of MANETs, and special attention is paid on fundamental problems and issues that occur when trying to provide QoS in this network environment.