Proximal Multitask Learning over Networks with Sparsity-inducing Coregularization

In this work, we consider multitask learning problems where clusters of nodes are interested in estimating their own parameter vector. Cooperation among clusters is beneficial when the optimal models of adjacent clusters have a good number of similar entries. We propose a fully distributed algorithm for solving this problem. The approach relies on minimizing a global mean-square error criterion regularized by non-differentiable terms to promote cooperation among neighboring clusters. A general diffusion forward-backward splitting strategy is introduced. Then, it is specialized to the case of sparsity promoting regularizers. A closed-form expression for the proximal operator of a weighted sum of $\ell_1$-norms is derived to achieve higher efficiency. We also provide conditions on the step-sizes that ensure convergence of the algorithm in the mean and mean-square error sense. Simulations are conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of the strategy

A Sparsity-Aware Adaptive Algorithm for Distributed Learning

In this paper, a sparsity-aware adaptive algorithm for distributed learning in diffusion networks is developed. The algorithm follows the set-theoretic estimation rationale. At each time instance and at each node of the network, a closed convex set, known as property set, is constructed based on the received measurements; this defines the region in which the solution is searched for. In this paper, the property sets take the form of hyperslabs. The goal is to find a point that belongs to the intersection of these hyperslabs. To this end, sparsity encouraging variable metric projections onto the hyperslabs have been adopted. Moreover, sparsity is also imposed by employing variable metric projections onto weighted $\ell_1$ balls. A combine adapt cooperation strategy is adopted. Under some mild assumptions, the scheme enjoys monotonicity, asymptotic optimality and strong convergence to a point that lies in the consensus subspace. Finally, numerical examples verify the validity of the proposed scheme, compared to other algorithms, which have been developed in the context of sparse adaptive learning

Sparsity-promoting adaptive algorithm for distributed learning in diffusion networks

In this paper, a sparsity-promoting adaptive algorithm for distributed learning in diffusion networks is developed. The algorithm follows the set-theoretic estimation rationale, i.e., at each time instant and at each node, a closed convex set, namely a hyperslab, is constructed around the current measurement point. This defines the region in which the solution lies. The algorithm seeks a solution in the intersection of these hyperslabs by a sequence of projections. Sparsity is encouraged in two complimentary ways: a) by employing extra projections onto a weighted ℓ1 ball, that complies with our desire to constrain the respective weighted ℓ1 norm and b) by adopting variable metric projections onto the hyperslabs, which implicitly quantify data mismatch. A combine-adapt cooperation strategy is adopted. Under some mild assumptions, the scheme enjoys a number of elegant convergence properties. Finally, numerical examples verify the validity of the proposed scheme, compared to other algorithms, which have been developed in the context of sparse adaptive learning.compared to other algorithms, which have been developed in the context of sparse adaptive learning

Adaptive Graph Signal Processing: Algorithms and Optimal Sampling Strategies

The goal of this paper is to propose novel strategies for adaptive learning of signals defined over graphs, which are observed over a (randomly time-varying) subset of vertices. We recast two classical adaptive algorithms in the graph signal processing framework, namely, the least mean squares (LMS) and the recursive least squares (RLS) adaptive estimation strategies. For both methods, a detailed mean-square analysis illustrates the effect of random sampling on the adaptive reconstruction capability and the steady-state performance. Then, several probabilistic sampling strategies are proposed to design the sampling probability at each node in the graph, with the aim of optimizing the tradeoff between steady-state performance, graph sampling rate, and convergence rate of the adaptive algorithms. Finally, a distributed RLS strategy is derived and is shown to be convergent to its centralized counterpart. Numerical simulations carried out over both synthetic and real data illustrate the good performance of the proposed sampling and reconstruction strategies for (possibly distributed) adaptive learning of signals defined over graphs.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, September 201

Distributed Adaptive Learning of Graph Signals

The aim of this paper is to propose distributed strategies for adaptive learning of signals defined over graphs. Assuming the graph signal to be bandlimited, the method enables distributed reconstruction, with guaranteed performance in terms of mean-square error, and tracking from a limited number of sampled observations taken from a subset of vertices. A detailed mean square analysis is carried out and illustrates the role played by the sampling strategy on the performance of the proposed method. Finally, some useful strategies for distributed selection of the sampling set are provided. Several numerical results validate our theoretical findings, and illustrate the performance of the proposed method for distributed adaptive learning of signals defined over graphs.Comment: To appear in IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, 201

Distributed Signal Processing Algorithms for Wireless Networks

Distributed signal processing algorithms have become a key approach for statistical inference in wireless networks and applications such as wireless sensor networks and smart grids. It is well known that distributed processing techniques deal with the extraction of information from data collected at nodes that are distributed over a geographic area. In this context, for each specific node, a set of neighbor nodes collect their local information and transmit the estimates to a specific node. Then, each specific node combines the collected information together with its local estimate to generate an improved estimate. In this thesis, novel distributed cooperative algorithms for inference in ad hoc, wireless sensor networks and smart grids are investigated. Low-complexity and effective algorithms to perform statistical inference in a distributed way are devised. A number of innovative approaches for dealing with node failures, compression of data and exchange of information are proposed and summarized as follows: Firstly, distributed adaptive algorithms based on the conjugate gradient (CG) method for distributed networks are presented. Both incremental and diffusion adaptive solutions are considered. Secondly, adaptive link selection algorithms for distributed estimation and their application to wireless sensor networks and smart grids are proposed. Thirdly, a novel distributed compressed estimation scheme is introduced for sparse signals and systems based on compressive sensing techniques. The proposed scheme consists of compression and decompression modules inspired by compressive sensing to perform distributed compressed estimation. A design procedure is also presented and an algorithm is developed to optimize measurement matrices. Lastly, a novel distributed reduced-rank scheme and adaptive algorithms are proposed for distributed estimation in wireless sensor networks and smart grids. The proposed distributed scheme is based on a transformation that performs dimensionality reduction at each agent of the network followed by a reduced–dimension parameter vector