Optimal identifying codes in the infinite 3-dimensional king grid

Abstract

A subset C⊆V is an r-identifying code in a graph G=(V,E) if the sets Ir(v)={c∈C∣d(c,v)≤r} are distinct and non-empty for all vertices v⊆V. Here, d(c,v) denotes the number of edges on any shortest path from c to v. We consider the infinite n-dimensional king grid, i.e., the graph with vertex set V=Zn and the edge set E={{x=(x1,…,xn),y=(y1,…,yn)}∣|xi−yi|≤1for i=1,…,n,x≠y}, and give some lower bounds on the density of an r-identifying code. In particular, we prove that for n=3 and for all r≥15, the optimal density of an r-identifying code is 18r2. The problem finding a minimum identifying code in the 3-dimensional king grid is equivalent with a minimum packing problem of cubes in the 3-dimensional lattice so that every point is covered by a distinct and non-empty subset of cubes.