Cross-layer's paradigm features in MANET: benefits and challenges

Nowadays, the cross-layer design approach, is the most relevant concept in mobile ad-hoc networks which is adopted to solve several open issues. It aims to overcome MANET performance problems by allowing protocols belonging to different layers to cooperate and share network status informations while still maintaining separated layers. The central key of related research studies is what information can be shared and how it used in cross-layer architecture to provide QoS enhancement and enable an efficient resource utilization. In this work, we detail the most coupling features of introducing cross-layer models in mobile ad hoc networks. Then, we discuss the risks and the challenges facing this new architecture.