Double power-law distribution in spatial network induced by cost constraints

Abstract

Abstract We investigate the scaling laws of the degree distribution in an evolving spatial network where the long-range links of a node are subject to a cost constraint. The constraint can cause a discontinuous reduction in the length of the links to be attached to the node once the node reaches some critical degree k c . We show that this effect can result in an abrupt change in the attachment probability and consequently induces a double power-law degree distribution. We derive the distribution analytically for the homogeneous constraint and demonstrate a consistent result for the heterogeneous one. Our model finds a robust connection between the double power law and the spatial constraint and offers a plausible explanation of the common occurrence of the distribution in airline networks.