Network

This article is a stub.

What is a network

A network is broadly defined as an interconnected system of things. More specifically, networks used here are transport and distribution networks. These are systems composed of interconnected points of supply and demand for specific resources, and the routes connecting them.

How networks relate to the Tygron Engine

In the Tygron Engine, it is possible to add network information to a project.

Network functionality is currently an advanced feature, and not available to new projects by default. Please contact Tygron Support if you wish to make use of networks in your projects.

Network structure

Each network is related to a predefined resource type. The network then is the system through which that resource travels from elements of supply to elements of demand.

Networks in the engine consist first and foremost out of net lines and net nodes. The net lines are the principle element in this structure. The two ends of net lines are defined by net nodes. Each net node has at least one net line connected to it, but any arbitrary number of net lines can start or end at a node.

Networks also can have net nodes with a definition of supply or demand. These definitions take the form of net loads. A net load is a geographical element, which should be connected to a net node, with data concerning the amount of supply or demand that net node represents. Not every net node needs to have a net load connected to it. However, generally speaking, net loads are only relevant and valid when they are connected to a net node.

Restrictions on networks

• Networks cannot contain any cycles. All networks should be defined as a tree.
• A net node can be connected to 1, 2, or more net lines, except when that node is a load node.

Generating Networks

It is possible to have the Tygron Engine generate networks for your projects.

Cluster generation algorithms

There are a number of ways to have clusters generated by the Tygron Engine. When selecting this option, you can select which neighborhoods and stakeholders to cluster for. Net loads which are already clustered will not be removed from their clusters or moved to other clusters. Net loads which are not located in the selected neighborhoods are not taken into consideration (Note that this is the position of the net load and not of its connected net node). Loads which are taken into consideration are not limited by their neighborhoods. This means loads from different neighborhoods can be placed in the same neighborhood. No matter the used algorithm, clusters will always only contain net loads of the same stakeholder.

Map Sectors

The map is divided into squares of equal sides, dubbed "sectors". All loads in each sector are grouped together into the same cluster. This algorithm makes use of the following settings:

• The size of the sectors in which the map is divvied up. This is a numeric setting, indicating the side of one edge of the sectors in meters.
• Whether to cluster collective loads separately. This is a yes-or-no option. If this option is selected, collective net loads are placed in individual clusters, and not grouped into the cluster generated based on the sectors in which they reside.
• The default stakeholder. When a net load has an owner (because the net load is linked to a building), the net load is considered to be owner by that stakeholder. When the net load does not have an owner, it is considered to be owned by the default stakeholder selected.

Per attribute

An attribute of the net loads indicates in which cluster the net load is placed. Every net load with the same value for that attribute is placed in the same cluster. This algorithm makes use of the following settings:

• The attribute to use. When 2 or more loads have the same value for this attribute, they are placed in the same cluster. Net loads which do not have this attribute explicitly defined are ignored.
• Whether to cluster collective loads separately. This is a yes-or-no option. If this option is selected, collective net loads are placed in individual clusters, and not grouped in a cluster with other net loads which share the same attribute value.
• The default stakeholder. When a net load has an owner (because the net load is linked to a building), the net load is considered to be owner by that stakeholder. When the net load does not have an owner, it is considered to be owned by the default stakeholder selected.

Per building

All the net loads linked to the same building are placed in the same cluster. Each building with net loads will have their own cluster. Net loads which are not linked to buildings are not clustered. If a building already has a cluster and more unclustered loads exist linked to the same building, a new cluster is created for the loads which were not yet clustered. This algorithm makes use of the following settings:

• Whether to cluster collective loads separately. This is a yes-or-no option. If this option is selected, collective net loads are placed in individual clusters, and not grouped in a cluster with other net loads which share the same attribute value.

Per load

Each net load will be placed in a separate cluster. This algorithm makes use of the following settings:

• The default stakeholder. When a net load has an owner (because the net load is linked to a building), the net load is considered to be owner by that stakeholder. When the net load does not have an owner, it is considered to be owned by the default stakeholder selected.

Per load with unique stakeholders

Each net load will be placed in a separate cluster. Additionally, for each cluster created with this algorithm an additional stakeholder is added to the project. This algorithm makes use of the following settings:

• The default stakeholder. When a net load has an owner (because the net load is linked to a building), the net load is considered to be owner by that stakeholder. When the net load does not have an owner, it is considered to be owned by the default stakeholder selected.

Add to existing clusters by building

For each cluster, all net loads are checked for the buildings to which they are linked. Those buildings are checked for net loads which are linked to that building but are not yet clustered. If any unclustered net loads are found in buildings this way, those net loads are added to the existing cluster. If multiple net loads, part of different clusters, are linked to the same building, it is random to which cluster any unclustered net loads will be added. This algorithm does not have any settings.