Assignment 1: An lnvestigation into Wireless Ad Hoc Networks Due Date: The final report is due on or before 30 March, 2009 Description of the assignment: ln recent years, there has been a growing interest in using wireless ad hoc networks for different purposes in numerous organisations. A wireless ad hoc network is a distributed network in which the determination of which nodes forward data is made dynamically based on the network connectivity. This is in contrast to wired networks in which routers perform the task of routing. One of the key research challenges in wireless ad hoc networks is to increase the efficiency of information transfer, while handling the harsh conditions of energy constrained and highly mobile devices. There are also challenges in terms of integration, compatibility and limitations of this technology. Assume that you are working in the field of networking and want to do an investigation into wireless ad hoc networks. You aim to produce a research paper that can be used as a bench mark by a number of organisations who are keen considering deployment of wireless ad hoc networks. This of course, requires through research and feasibility study at different levels of which current technological review by a network professional of your standing can help. ln the above context, this assignment requires you identifying technical, integration, compatibility and other challenges, and performance limitation of wireless ad hoc networks to be used in a given organisation of your choosing; for example in health, utilities, enterprise etc. ln order to identify those challenges and problems, you must undertake a critical analysis of existing literature in the subject of wireless ad hoc networks and write a critical re oh in the range of 2250 - 2500 words* As an indication, you ought to consider examining the following aspects from networkability and technological perspective of wireless ad hoc networks in comparison with fixed networks: 1. Characteristics of wireless add hoc protocols and their limitations if any 2* Technical topology specification and the challenges of ad hoc networks in terms of: * Architectures and platforms * Current component technologies and their inadequacy * Quality of service and traffic handling 1 * Security concerns * Discussion of current application areas, and in this context their adaptability for your chosen organization 3. Examining standardisation and future trends in Wireless Ad Hoc Network development Based on the above consideration, your analysis must lead up-to reasons as to why it would be practical and possible to deploy ad hoc networks in an organisation of your choosing. This is assumed to be used as a bench mark by similar organisations in the future, Your critical report must show the methodology used and the results of your methodology that has lead to your particular conclusion. See also the assessment criteria.