Distributed Optimal Data Allocation in Finite Time with Efficient Communication and Transmission Stopping over Dynamic Networks

In this paper, we focus on the problem of data sharing over a wireless computer network (i.e., a wireless grid). Given a set of available data, we present a distributed algorithm, which operates over a dynamically changing network and allows each node to calculate the optimal allocation of data in a finite number of time steps. We show that our proposed algorithm (i) converges to the optimal solution in finite time with very high probability, and (ii) once the optimal solution is reached, each node is able to cease transmissions without needing knowledge of a global parameter such as the network diameter. Furthermore, our algorithm (i) operates exclusively with quantized values (i.e., each node processes and transmits quantized information), (ii) relies on event-driven updates, and (iii) calculates the optimal solution in the form of a quantized fraction which avoids errors due to quantization. Finally, we demonstrate the operation, performance, and potential advantages of our algorithm over random dynamic networks.