We propose an adaptive diffusion mechanism to optimize a global cost function
in a distributed manner over a network of nodes. The cost function is assumed
to consist of a collection of individual components. Diffusion adaptation
allows the nodes to cooperate and diffuse information in real-time; it also
helps alleviate the effects of stochastic gradient noise and measurement noise
through a continuous learning process. We analyze the mean-square-error
performance of the algorithm in some detail, including its transient and
steady-state behavior. We also apply the diffusion algorithm to two problems:
distributed estimation with sparse parameters and distributed localization.
Compared to well-studied incremental methods, diffusion methods do not require
the use of a cyclic path over the nodes and are robust to node and link
failure. Diffusion methods also endow networks with adaptation abilities that
enable the individual nodes to continue learning even when the cost function
changes with time. Examples involving such dynamic cost functions with moving
targets are common in the context of biological networks.Comment: 34 pages, 6 figures, to appear in IEEE Transactions on Signal
Processing, 201
