Definition: mobile ad hoc network

A wireless network that transmits from computer to computer. Instead of using a central base station (access point) to which all computers must communicate, this peer-to-peer mode of operation can greatly extend the distance of the wireless network. To gain access to the Internet, one of the computers can be connected via wire or wireless to an ISP.

Routing from one node to another on such a "mesh" network typically uses an on-demand routing protocol, such as DSR or AODV, which generates routing information only when a station initiates a transmission. See DSR, AODV and 802.11.

A Wireless Mesh

When laptops are set up to transmit in "ad hoc" mode, they create a wireless mesh network.