Patent ID: 8761082

Claim:
An apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: storing information indicative of a state of the apparatus; operating the apparatus in one of a local mode and a distributed mode; and at another time, operating the apparatus in the other of the local mode and the distributed mode, where the apparatus comprises a node within a decentralized wireless communication network that at least partially utilizes packet-based communication, where operating the apparatus in the local mode comprises measuring a common channel to maintain time synchronization with other nodes in the decentralized wireless communication network and making at least one local decision or measurement regarding a parameter for distributed estimation/detection, operating the apparatus in a second mode that is different from the first mode, where operating the apparatus in the distributed mode comprises setting an active/transmitting mode or an active/listening mode for the apparatus and, accordingly, one of transmitting the at least one local decision or measurement to at least one other apparatus or receiving information from the at least one other apparatus, where in response to the apparatus receiving the information from the at least one other apparatus, operating the apparatus in the second mode further comprises updating, based on the received information and the at least one local decision or measurement, the stored information indicative of the state of the apparatus, wherein updating the stored information enables cooperation with the at least one other apparatus in making a collective decision at least partially based on the at least one local decision or measurement.