This SpringerBrief evaluates the cooperative effort of sensor nodes to
accomplish high-level tasks with sensing, data processing and
communication. The metrics of network-wide convergence, unbiasedness,
consistency and optimality are discussed through network topology,
distributed estimation algorithms and consensus strategy. Systematic
analysis reveals that proper deployment of sensor nodes and a small
number of low-cost relays (without sensing function) can speed up the
information fusion and thus improve the estimation capability of
wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This brief also investigates the
spatial distribution of sensor nodes and basic scalable estimation
algorithms, the consensus-based estimation capability for a class of
relay assisted sensor networks with asymmetric communication topology,
and the problem of filter design for mobile target tracking over WSNs.
From the system perspective, the network topology is closely related to
the capability and efficiency of network-wide scalable distributed
estimation. Wireless Sensor Networks: Distributed Consensus Estimation
is a valuable resource for researchers and professionals working in
wireless communications, networks and distributed computing.
Advanced-level students studying computer science and electrical
engineering will also find the content helpful.