Distributed change detection in large scale sensor networks through the synchronization of pulse-coupled oscillators

This paper proposes the use of a distributed synchronization mechanism, which locks in phase the pulse-coupled oscillators, to rapidly alert the nodes in a sensor network of a change detected by a group of the sensors. By encoding into an abrupt variation of the phase their positive detection of a change, the nodes force all other nodes to reach a new synchronization equilibrium. Therefore, the information about the change is implicitly encoded in the phase transitions. While the local detection problem at each sensor can be addressed using the standard change detection algorithms, the interesting aspect of this work is the unconventional way through which the nodes broadcast their information to each other and fuse their decisions. The main advantages of the proposed method is the scalability and low complexity of the fusion algorithm.