The <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/1 retrial queue with retrials due to server failures

Sherman and Kharoufeh (Oper. Res. Lett. 34:697–705, [2006]) considered an M/M/1 type queueing system with unreliable server and retrials. In this model it is assumed that if the server fails during service of a customer, the customer leaves the server, joins a retrial group and in random intervals repeats attempts to get service. We suggest an alternative method for analysis of the Markov process, which describes the functioning of the system, and find the joint distribution of the server state, the number of customers in the queue and the number of customers in the retrial group in steady state.      

Consecutive customer losses in regular and oscillating <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis></Superscript>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>/1/<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> systems

We derive fast recursions to compute the probability that k or more consecutive customer losses take place during a busy period of a queue, the so called k-CCL probability, for regular and oscillating M ^X /G/1/n systems.     

Approximations for the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">GI</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>+<Emphasis Type="Italic">GI</Emphasis> type call center

In this paper, we propose approximations to compute the steady-state performance measures of the M/GI/N+GI queue receiving Poisson arrivals with N identical servers, and general service and abandonment-time distributions. The approximations are based on scaling a single server M/GI/1+GI queue. For problems involving deterministic and exponential abandon times distributions, we suggest a practical way to compute the waiting time distributions and their moments using the Laplace transform of the workload density function. Our first contribution is numerically computing the workload density function in the M/GI/1+GI queue when the abandon times follow general distributions different from the deterministic and exponential distributions. Then we compute the waiting time distributions and their moments. Next, we scale-up the M/GI/1+GI queue giving rise to our approximations to capture the behavior of the multi-server system. We conduct extensive numerical experiments to test the speed and performance of the approximations, which prove the accuracy of their predictions.      

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>/1+<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> queue revisited

We consider an M/G/1 queue with the following form of customer impatience: an arriving customer balks or reneges when its virtual waiting time, i.e., the amount of work seen upon arrival, is larger than a certain random patience time. We consider the number of customers in the system, the maximum workload during a busy period, and the length of a busy period. We also briefly treat the analogous model in which any customer enters the system and leaves at the end of his patience time or at the end of his virtual sojourn time, whichever occurs first.     

Busy period analysis for <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">PH</Emphasis>/1 queues with workload dependent balking

We consider an M/PH/1 queue with workload-dependent balking. An arriving customer joins the queue and stays until served if and only if the system workload is no more than a fixed level at the time of his arrival. We begin by considering a fluid model where the buffer content changes at a rate determined by an external stochastic process with finite state space. We derive systems of first-order linear differential equations for the mean and LST (Laplace-Stieltjes Transform) of the busy period in this model and solve them explicitly. We obtain the mean and LST of the busy period in the M/PH/1 queue with workload-dependent balking as a special limiting case of this fluid model. We illustrate the results with numerical examples.      

A single-server discrete-time retrial <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>-queue with server breakdowns and repairs

This paper concerns a discrete-time Geo/Geo/1 retrial queue with both positive and negative customers where the server is subject to breakdowns and repairs due to negative arrivals. The arrival of a negative customer causes one positive customer to be killed if any is present, and simultaneously breaks the server down. The server is sent to repair immediately and after repair it is as good as new. The negative customer also causes the server breakdown if the server is found idle, but has no effect on the system if the server is under repair. We analyze the Markov chain underlying the queueing system and obtain its ergodicity condition. The generating function of the number of customers in the orbit and in the system are also obtained, along with the marginal distributions of the orbit size when the server is idle, busy or down. Finally, we present some numerical examples to illustrate the influence of the parameters on several performance characteristics of the system.     

Analysis of GI<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis></Superscript>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>)//<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> systems with stochastic customer acceptance policy

We investigate GI ^X /M(n)//N systems with stochastic customer acceptance policy, function of the customer batch size and the number of customers in the system at its arrival. We address the time-dependent and long-run analysis of the number of customers in the system at prearrivals and postarrivals of batches and seen by customers at their arrival to the system, as well as customer blocking probabilities. These results are then used to derive the continuous-time long-run distribution of the number of customers in the system. Our analysis combines Markov chain embedding with uniformization and uses stochastic ordering as a way to bound the errors of the computed performance measures.      

Limit theorems for systems of the type <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Superscript>θ</Superscript>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>/1/<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis> with resume level of input stream

We consider a queuing system of the type M ^θ/G/1/b in which the input stream is regulated by a certain threshold level. The asymptotic properties of the first busy period and the number of calls served during this period are studied. __________ Translated from Ukrains’kyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 59, No. 7, pp. 884–889, July, 2007.     

Rate of convergence to ergodic distribution for queue length in systems of the type <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Superscript>θ</Superscript>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>/1/<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>

For finite-capacity queuing systems of the type M ^θ/G/1, convenient formulas for the ergodic distribution of the queue length are found, an estimate for the rate of convergence of the distribution of the queue length in the transient mode to the ergodic distribution is obtained, and computational algorithms for finding the rate of convergence are presented. __________ Translated from Ukrains’kyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 59, No. 9, pp. 1169–1178, September, 2007.     

Degenerations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>[<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>]/(<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis><Superscript>r</Superscript>)-Modules Giving Stratification of the Orbits

Let Λ be a finitely generated associative k-algebra where k is an algebraically closed field. For each natural number d, we have the variety of d-dimensional module structures on k^d given by the multiplication of the elements from a generating set of Λ. The general linear group Gl_d(k) acts on this variety by conjugation and the orbits under this action correspond to isomorphism classes of d-dimensional Λ-modules. For two d-dimensional Λ-modules M and N one says that M degenerates to N if the orbit corresponding to N is in the Zariski-closure of the orbit corresponding to M. Now in this situation the stabilizers of the elements in the orbit corresponding to N acts on the orbit corresponding to M. In this paper we characterize degenerations of k[t]/(t^r)-modules with the property that for each y in the orbit corresponding to N, there is an x_y in the orbit corresponding to M such that the orbit corresponding to M is the disjoint union of orbits of the x_y’s under the action of the stabilizer of y where y runs through the orbit corresponding to N. Presented by Idun ReitenMathematics Subject Classifications (2000) 14L30, 16G10.     

M/(G1, G2)/1 retrial queue under Bernoulli vacation schedules with general repeated attempts and starting failures

This paper investigates a batch arrival retrial queue with general retrial times, where the server is subject to starting failures and provides two phases of heterogeneous service to all customers under Bernoulli vacation schedules. Any arriving batch finding the server busy, breakdown or on vacation enters an orbit. Otherwise one customer from the arriving batch enters a service immediately while the rest join the orbit. After the completion of two phases of service, the server either goes for a vacation with probability p or may wait for serving the next customer with probability (1 − p). We construct the mathematical model and derive the steady-state distribution of the server state and the number of customers in the system/orbit. Such a model has potential application in transfer model of e-mail system.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/∞ queue in a random environment

We consider the M/M/∞ queueing system with arrival and service rate depending on the state of an auxiliary semi-Markov process (which can be viewed as an external environment) and find the mean number of customers in the system in steady state. In a particular case when the external environment can be only in two states we find the distribution of the number of customers in the system.      

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/1 queue with synchronized abandonments

In this paper we present a detailed analysis of a single server Markovian queue with impatient customers. Instead of the standard assumption that customers perform independent abandonments, we consider situations where customers abandon the system simultaneously. Moreover, we distinguish two abandonment scenarios; in the first one all present customers become impatient and perform synchronized abandonments, while in the second scenario we exclude the customer in service from the abandonment procedure. Furthermore, we extend our analysis to the M/M/c queue under the second abandonment scenario.     

Explicit Formulae for the Characteristics of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M/H</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">/</Emphasis>1 Retrial Queue

In this paper we study the M/H₂/1 queue with returning customers. We obtain explicit formulae for the steady-state distribution and the expected quality characteristics of the system. In addition, a simple recursion scheme for computing the ‘orbit’ busy period is proposed.     

The queue length in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>/1 batch arrival retrial queue

An M/G/1 retrial queue with batch arrivals is studied. The queue length K _μ is decomposed into the sum of two independent random variables. One corresponds to the queue length K _∞ of a standard M/G/1 batch arrival queue, and another is compound-Poisson distributed. In the case of the distribution of the batch size being light-tailed, the tail asymptotics of K _μ are investigated through the relation between K _∞ and its service times.     

Iterative approximation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-limited polling systems

The present paper deals with the problem of calculating queue length distributions in a polling model with (exhaustive) k-limited service under the assumption of general arrival, service and setup distributions. The interest for this model is fueled by an application in the field of logistics. Knowledge of the queue length distributions is needed to operate the system properly. The multi-queue polling system is decomposed into single-queue vacation systems with k-limited service and state-dependent vacations, for which the vacation distributions are computed in an iterative approximate manner. These vacation models are analyzed via matrix-analytic techniques. The accuracy of the approximation scheme is verified by means of an extensive simulation study. The developed approximation turns out to be accurate, robust and computationally efficient. This research is supported by the Technology Foundation STW, applied science division of NWO and the technology programme of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.     

Sojourn Times in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">PH</Emphasis>/1 Processor Sharing Queue

We give in this paper an algorithm to compute the sojourn time distribution in the processor sharing, single server queue with Poisson arrivals and phase type distributed service times. In a first step, we establish the differential system governing the conditional sojourn times probability distributions in this queue, given the number of customers in the different phases of the PH distribution at the arrival instant of a customer. This differential system is then solved by using a uniformization procedure and an exponential of matrix. The proposed algorithm precisely consists of computing this exponential with a controlled accuracy. This algorithm is then used in practical cases to investigate the impact of the variability of service times on sojourn times and the validity of the so-called reduced service rate (RSR) approximation, when service times in the different phases are highly dissymmetrical. For two-stage PH distributions, we give conjectures on the limiting behavior in terms of an M/M/1 PS queue and provide numerical illustrative examples.This revised version was published online in June 2005 with corrected coverdate     

Asymptotic expansions for the conditional sojourn time distribution in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/1-PS queue

We consider the M/M/1 queue with processor sharing. We study the conditional sojourn time distribution, conditioned on the customer’s service requirement, in various asymptotic limits. These include large time and/or large service request, and heavy traffic, where the arrival rate is only slightly less than the service rate. The asymptotic formulas relate to, and extend, some results of Morrison (SIAM J. Appl. Math. 45:152–167, [1985]) and Flatto (Ann. Appl. Probab. 7:382–409, [1997]). This work was partly supported by NSF grant DMS 05-03745.     

Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-policy queues with disastrous breakdown

In the area of optimal design and control of queues, the N-policy has received great attention. A single server queueing system with system disaster is considered where the server waits till N customers accumulate in the queue and upon the arrival of Nth customer the server begins to serve the customers until the system becomes idle or the occurrence of disaster whichever happens earlier. The system size probabilities in transient state are obtained in closed form using generating functions and steady-state system size probabilities are derived in closed form using generating functions and continued fractions. Further, the mean and variance for the number of customers in the system are derived for both transient and steady states and these results are deduced for the specific models. Time-dependent busy period distribution is also obtained. Numerical illustrations are also shown to visualize the system effect.     

Some results on 4<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Superscript>2<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Superscript> designs with clear two-factor interaction components

Clear effects criterion is one of the important rules for selecting optimal fractional factorial designs, and it has become an active research issue in recent years. Tang et al. derived upper and lower bounds on the maximum number of clear two-factor interactions (2fi’s) in 2 ^n−(n−k) fractional factorial designs of resolutions III and IV by constructing a 2 ^n−(n−k) design for given k, which are only restricted for the symmetrical case. This paper proposes and studies the clear effects problem for the asymmetrical case. It improves the construction method of Tang et al. for 2 ^n−(n−k) designs with resolution III and derives the upper and lower bounds on the maximum number of clear two-factor interaction components (2fic’s) in 4 ^m 2 ⁿ designs with resolutions III and IV. The lower bounds are achieved by constructing specific designs. Comparisons show that the number of clear 2fic’s in the resulting design attains its maximum number in many cases, which reveals that the construction methods are satisfactory when they are used to construct 4 ^m 2 ⁿ designs under the clear effects criterion. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10571093, 10671099 and 10771123), the Research Foundation for Doctor Programme (Grant No. 20050055038) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China (Grant No. Q2007A05). Zhang’s research was also supported by the Visiting Scholar Program at Chern Institute of Mathematics.