Network Science for Communication Engineering

Introduction

Network science is associated with the study, analysis, modeling and applications of networks. Networks are not limited to any one or two disciplines. Rather, networks are found in almost every field in different forms. For instance, in electrical engineering we have electrical circuits which are known as networks. In communication engineering, we have communication networks of different types such as access networks, regional networks, core networks and the Internet. Computer networks are very much identical to the communication networks these days. In fact, unification of communication and computing has given birth to the Internet. Power distribution networks are found throughout the world. They are huge in size and directly affect the human activities across the world these days. In our society, we have different types of social networks. Social networks through the communication platforms have given birth to the online social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook. However, the social networks are very much older than the current social networks found online. The social networks were started along with the civilizations. However, their studies in psychology were started much later in the twentieth century (Moreno, 1934). Transportation networks are formed through the roads connecting cities, towns and villages. These transportation networks are also found over the water and air as the shipping and airline networks. Based on the economic activities between different countries and regions, trade and economic networks are formed.

In the nature, many different types of networks are found in various forms. Human brain is a complex network of neurons. In the human body there are some other networks as well such as blood circulation network and the lymphatic networks. In genetics, we can find out the link between generations and different clans. It is also a complex network. Based on the genetics, doctors classify different diseases and utilize them for advanced research and clinical treatments. This branch of medicine is commonly known as network medicine. Metabolism of organisms follows different sequences of processes which forms a metabolic network. Rivers and streams form natural water supply networks. In the modern world, there are several resource supply and distribution networks. Structural networks are found in different mechanical designs and civil architectures. In scientific collaborations we find the citation networks.

Complex systems are the large and randomly related with their components. The components of these systems are complexly related with each other. In other words, these systems are made up of many heterogeneous and non-identical elements connected through several diverse interactions. In every complexity, we always find a network is associated (Albert & Barabási, 2002). In order to understand the complexities, the underlying networks have to be understood properly. As we have seen above, every discipline has complex issues. Mapping the complexities accurately we can find a network which has the potential to simplify its understanding (Albert & Barabási, 2002). This is the main reason behind the popularity of network science.