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

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 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 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. This algorithm expects all net loads to have this attribute. When 2 or more loads have the same value for this attribute, they are placed in the same cluster.
• Whether to cluster collective loads separately. This is a yes-or-no option. If this option is selected, collective 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 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.