Group communications in mobile ad hoc networks

Efficient support of group communications is critical for most ad hoc network applications. However, manet group communications issues differ from those in wired environments because the wireless communications medium has variable and unpredictable characteristics, and the signal strength and propagation fluctuate with respect to time and environment. We provide an overview of group communications issues such as protocol design, state maintenance, and performance. We also discuss representative protocols and examine related issues such as reliability, power conservation, quality of service, security, and areas requiring additional research.