Network topology optimization by turning non-scale-free networks into scale-free networks using nonlinear preferential rewiring method

In practical application, the generation and evolution of many real networks always do not follow rigorous mathematical model, making network topology optimization a great challenge in the field of complex networks. In this research, we optimize the topology of non-scale-free networks by turning it into scale-free networks using a nonlinear preferential rewiring method. For different kinds of original networks generated by Watts and Strogatz model, we systematically demonstrate the optimization process and the modified networks to verify the performance of nonlinear preferential rewiring. We conduct further researches to explore the effect of nonlinear preferential rewiring’s parameters on performance. Simulation results show that various non-scale-free networks with different network topologies generated by WS model, including random networks and various networks between regular and random, are turned into scale-free networks perfectly by nonlinear preferential rewiring method.