English

Communication and optimal hierarchical networks

Statistical Mechanics 2009-11-07 v1

Abstract

We study a general and simple model for communication processes. In the model, agents in a network (in particular, an organization) interchange information packets following simple rules that take into account the limited capability of the agents to deal with packets and the cost associated to the existence of open communication channels. Due to the limitation in the capability, the network collapses under certain conditions. We focus on when the collapse occurs for hierarchical networks and also on the influence of the flatness or steepness of the structure. We find that the need for hierarchy is related to the existence of costly connections.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0103112,
  title  = {Communication and optimal hierarchical networks},
  author = {R. Guimera and A. Arenas and A. Diaz-Guilera},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0103112},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

7 pages, 2 figures. NATO ARW on Econophysics

R2 v1 2026-07-22T10:17:46.516Z