Polyvalent Wireless Communication System (PWCS); A Potentially Useful Technology for Opportunistic Networks

Abstract

The concept of the Internet of things is a paradigm that is supposed to integrate several complex technologies. Opportunistic Networks due to its nature, do share common characteristics with the Internet of Things. Thus, the study of opportunistic Networks could greatly benefit the Internet of Things area of research. The Opportunistic Networks aim to use the altruism of mobile or immobile things to achieve specific tasks. However, among other challenges to solve for the Opportunistic Networks to work appropriately is the lack of a flexible, low-cost, and polyvalent communication system. Thankfully, the Polyvalent(Multipurpose) Wireless Communication System (PWCS) appears as a serious candidate to solve that challenge. This paper aims to show the correlation between an existing but unexplored technology; the PWCS, and Opportunistic Networks providing four main contributions. First, this paper clarifies the concept of opportunistic networks. Second, it points out the key differences between OppNets and some communications models that emerged from Mobile Ad hoc Networks research. Third, it presents the PWCS. Finally, it provides the correlation between OppNets and the PWCS and also discusses the limitations of the PWCS. The PWCS, if given unbiased attention, may add value to the communication field.