Altering control modes of complex networks based on edge removal

TL;DR

This paper introduces a graph-based algorithm that effectively changes the control mode of complex networks by removing specific edges, enabling tailored control strategies in various applications.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel algorithm for altering network control modes through edge removal, with proven correctness and demonstrated effectiveness on synthetic and real networks.

Findings

Control mode can be changed by removing few edges

Algorithm is effective on both synthetic and real networks

Provides a new way to design control strategies

Abstract

Controlling a complex network is of great importance in many applications. The network can be controlled by inputting external control signals through some selected nodes, which are called input nodes. Previous works found that the majority of the nodes in dense networks are either the input nodes or not, which leads to the bimodality in controlling the complex networks. Due to the physical or economic constraints of many real control scenarios, altering the control mode of a network may be critical to many applications. Here we develop a graph-based algorithm to alter the control mode of a network. The main idea is to change the control connectivity of nodes by removing carefully selected edges. We rigorously prove the correctness of our algorithm and evaluate its performance on both synthetic and real networks. The experimental results show that the control mode of a network can be easily changed by removing few selected edges. Our methods provide the ability to design the desired control mode for different control scenarios, which may be useful in many applications.