In this paper we propose a decentralized sensor network scheme capable to
reach a globally optimum maximum likelihood (ML) estimate through
self-synchronization of nonlinearly coupled dynamical systems. Each node of the
network is composed of a sensor and a first-order dynamical system initialized
with the local measurements. Nearby nodes interact with each other exchanging
their state value and the final estimate is associated to the state derivative
of each dynamical system. We derive the conditions on the coupling mechanism
guaranteeing that, if the network observes one common phenomenon, each node
converges to the globally optimal ML estimate. We prove that the synchronized
state is globally asymptotically stable if the coupling strength exceeds a
given threshold. Acting on a single parameter, the coupling strength, we show
how, in the case of nonlinear coupling, the network behavior can switch from a
global consensus system to a spatial clustering system. Finally, we show the
effect of the network topology on the scalability properties of the network and
we validate our theoretical findings with simulation results.Comment: Journal paper accepted on IEEE Transactions on Signal Processin