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18.5.2 The 'Network' abstract class and sub-classes
Common connectivity model
The importance of the
Network
class described in this section cannot be
understated, as network-like systems make up the majority of the infra-
structure. From a modelling point of view, there is scope for signifi cant
synergy, since these systems share many common features. In particular, all
networks are the same at the connectivity-level, consisting of a collection
of
nodes
and
edges
, i.e. a graph, usually with two distinctively different con-
nectivity patterns depending on the scale. A typical form is a grid-like
redundant topology at large scale (transmission), with tree-like structures
radiating at a lower scale (distribution), as shown in Fig. 18.4a and b, respec-
tively. Were
integrity
the only concern, a single system
structural
model
could suffi ce, with differences limited to the component models. These
systems, however, differ in terms of the physical equations governing the
fl ow
of the conveyed good/commodity/service. This in turn translates into
different
functional
models.
(a)
(b)
2
2
1
1
3
3
11
0
1
1111
4
4
0
11
1
111
111
1
1
0
1
0
0
000
1
1
1
0
1
(c)
(d)
18.4
Topological features of network-like systems: (a) a grid-like
system; (b) a tree-like system; (c) a directed graph and corresponding
adjacency matrix; (d) an undirected graph.
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