Interdependent multilevel networks survivability modeling and analysis with applications in space networks

In this paper, we develop a new approach and algorithmic tools for modeling and analyzing the survivability of networks with heterogeneous nodes, and also consider their application in space networks. Space networks allow the sharing of spacecraft resources in orbit, such as data storage, processing, and exchange. Each spacecraft in the network may have a different composition and functionality of subsystems, which leads to heterogeneity of nodes. Most traditional network survivability analyses assume node homogeneity and as a result are not suitable for space network analysis. This work suggests that heterogeneous networks can be modeled as interdependent multi-level networks, allowing analysis of their survivability. The multilevel aspect captures the network breakdown according to the common functionality in different nodes and allows for the creation of homogeneous subnets, while the interdependence aspect restricts the network to capture the physical characteristics of each node.