A System Theoretical Perspective to Gradient-Tracking Algorithms for Distributed Quadratic Optimization

In this paper we consider a recently developed distributed optimization algorithm based on gradient tracking. We propose a system theory framework to analyze its structural properties on a preliminary, quadratic optimization set-up. Specifically, we focus on a scenario in which agents in a static network want to cooperatively minimize the sum of quadratic cost functions. We show that the gradient tracking distributed algorithm for the investigated program can be viewed as a sparse closed-loop linear system in which the dynamic state-feedback controller includes consensus matrices and optimization (stepsize) parameters. The closed-loop system turns out to be not completely reachable and asymptotic stability can be shown restricted to a proper invariant set. Convergence to the global minimum, in turn, can be obtained only by means of a proper initialization. The proposed system interpretation of the distributed algorithm provides also additional insights on other structural properties and possible design choices that are discussed in the last part of the paper as a starting point for future developments.

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