Disordered complex networks: energy optimal lattices and persistent homology

TL;DR

This paper explores disordered complex networks modeled as perturbations of Euclidean lattices, demonstrating improved network efficiency over Poisson models, and connects optimal lattice choices to mathematical energy concepts, with applications to wireless communication.

Contribution

It introduces a novel network model based on lattice perturbations that balances efficiency and robustness, linking lattice optimality to energy functions and persistence homology analysis.

Findings

Lattice perturbations improve network coverage and SINR over Poisson models.

Optimal lattice choice relates to Epstein Zeta function and lattice energy.

Persistence diagrams identify the best perturbation level for network similarity.

Abstract

Disordered complex networks are of fundamental interest as stochastic models for information transmission over wireless networks. Well-known networks based on the Poisson point process model have limitations vis-a-vis network efficiency, whereas strongly correlated alternatives, such as those based on random matrix spectra (RMT), have tractability and robustness issues. In this work, we demonstrate that network models based on random perturbations of Euclidean lattices interpolate between Poisson and rigidly structured networks, and allow us to achieve the best of both worlds : significantly improve upon the Poisson model in terms of network efficacy measured by the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (abbrv. SINR) and the related concept of coverage probabilities, at the same time retaining a considerable measure of mathematical and computational simplicity and robustness to erasure and noise. We investigate the optimal choice of the base lattice in this model, connecting it to the celebrated problem optimality of Euclidean lattices with respect to the Epstein Zeta function, which is in turn related to notions of lattice energy. This leads us to the choice of the triangular lattice in 2D and face centered cubic lattice in 3D. We demonstrate that the coverage probability decreases with increasing strength of perturbation, eventually converging to that of the Poisson network. In the regime of low disorder, we approximately characterize the statistical law of the coverage function. In 2D, we determine the disorder strength at which the PTL and the RMT networks are the closest measured by comparing their network topologies via a comparison of their Persistence Diagrams . We demonstrate that the PTL network at this disorder strength can be taken to be an effective substitute for the RMT network model, while at the same time offering the advantages of greater tractability.