A framework for decentralised feedback connectivity control with application to sensor networks

In this article, we propose a decentralised algorithm for connectivity maintenance in a distributed sensor network. Our algorithm uses the dynamics of a consensus algorithm to estimate the connectivity of a network topology in a decentralised manner. These estimates are then used to inform a decentralised control algorithm that regulates the network connectivity to some desired level. Under certain realistic assumptions we show that the closed-loop dynamics can be described as a consensus algorithm with an input, and eventually reduces to a scalar system. Bounds are given to ensure the stability of the algorithm and examples are given to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.