Hierarchical information processing in distributed sensor networks

It is now possible to integrate in a very small and low cost package sensing, actuation, signal processing, and radio communications. This new technology will make possible the low cost interfacing of the physical world to information processing and telecommunications networks. We describe the particular application of distributed sensor networks which must convey decisions to and from a remote center, and how information processing and communications can be organized so that the network is scalable and low power. Information theoretic problems are stated in the areas of detection, rate distortion, and channel coding