  We introduce a distributed, cooperative framework and method for Bayesian
estimation and control in decentralized agent networks. Our framework combines
joint estimation of time-varying global and local states with
information-seeking control optimizing the behavior of the agents. It is suited
to nonlinear and non-Gaussian problems and, in particular, to location-aware
networks. For cooperative estimation, a combination of belief propagation
message passing and consensus is used. For cooperative control, the negative
posterior joint entropy of all states is maximized via a gradient ascent. The
estimation layer provides the control layer with probabilistic information in
the form of sample representations of probability distributions. Simulation
results demonstrate intelligent behavior of the agents and excellent estimation
performance for a simultaneous self-localization and target tracking problem.
In a cooperative localization scenario with only one anchor, mobile agents can
localize themselves after a short time with an accuracy that is higher than the
accuracy of the performed distance measurements.
