The Versatility of MMAP[K] and the MMAP[K]/G[K]/1 Queue

This paper studies a single server queueing system with multiple types of customers. The first part of the paper discusses some modeling issues associated with the Markov arrival processes with marked arrivals (MMAP[K], where K is an integer representing the number of types of customers). The usefulness of MMAP[K] in modeling point processes is shown by a number of interesting examples. The second part of the paper studies a single server queueing system with an MMAP[K] as its input process. The busy period, virtual waiting time, and actual waiting times are studied. The focus is on the actual waiting times of individual types of customers. Explicit formulas are obtained for the Laplace–Stieltjes transforms of these actual waiting times.     

Stability Conditions of the MMAP [ K ]/ G [ K ]/1/ LCFS Preemptive Repeat Queue

In this paper, we study the stability conditions of the MMAP[K]/G[K]/1/LCFS preemptive repeat queue. We introduce an embedded Markov chain of matrix M/G/1 type with a tree structure and identify conditions for the Markov chain to be ergodic. First, we present three conventional methods for the stability problem of the queueing system of interest. These methods are either computationally demanding or do not provide accurate information for system stability. Then we introduce a novel approach that develops two linear programs whose solutions provide sufficient conditions for stability or instability of the queueing system. The new approach is numerically efficient. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods introduced in this paper are analyzed both theoretically and numerically.     

Analysis of the MAP/PH/1/K queue with service control

We consider a finite capacity queue with Markovian arrivals, in which the service rates are controlled by two pre-determined thresholds, M and N. The service rate is increased when the buffer size exceeds N and then brought back to normal service rate when the buffer size drops to M. The normal and fast service times are both assumed to be of phase type with representations (β, S), and β θS), respectively, where θ>1. For this queueing model, steady state analysis is performed. The server duration in normal as well as fast periods is shown to be of phase type. The departure process is modelled as a MAP and the parameter matrices of the MAP are identified. Efficient algorithms for computing system performance measures are presented. We also discuss an optimization problem and present an efficient algorithm for arriving at an optimal solution. Some numerical examples are discussed.     

The $$MMAP\left[ K \right]/PH\left[ K \right]/1$$ queues with a last-come-first-served preemptive service discipline

This paper studies two queueing systems with a Markov arrival process with marked arrivals and PH-distribution service times for each type of customer. Customers (regardless of their types) are served on a last-come-first-served preemptive resume and repeat basis, respectively. The focus is on the stationary distribution of queue strings in the system and busy periods. Efficient algorithms are developed for computing the stationary distribution of queue strings, the mean numbers of customers served in a busy period, and the mean length of a busy period. Comparison is conducted numerically between performance measures of queueing systems with preemptive resume and preemptive repeat service disciplines. A counter-intuitive observation is that for a class of service time distributions, the repeat discipline performs better than the resume one. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the output process of an M/M/1 queue with randomly varying system parameters

In this paper an analysis of the output process from an M/M/1 queue where the arrival and service rates vary randomly is presented. The results include expressions for the mean, variance and distribution of the interdeparture interval, the joint density function of two successive interdeparture intervals and their correlation. An interesting feature of the results is that the moments of the interdeparture time are expressed in terms of the expected times to first and second departures from an arbitrary point in time.     

Quasi-birth-and-death Markov processes with a tree structure and the MMAP[K]/PH[K]/N/LCFS non-preemptive queue

This paper studies a multi-server queueing system with multiple types of customers and last-come-first-served (LCFS) non-preemptive service discipline. First, a quasi-birth-and-death (QBD) Markov process with a tree structure is defined and some classical results of QBD Markov processes are generalized. Second, the MMAP[K]/PH[K]/N/LCFS non-preemptive queue is introduced. Using results of the QBD Markov process with a tree structure, explicit formulas are derived and an efficient algorithm is developed for computing the stationary distribution of queue strings. Numerical examples are presented to show the impact of the correlation and the pattern of the arrival process on the queueing process of each type of customer.     

An M[X]/G/1 retrial g-queue with single vacation subject to the server breakdown and repair

An M[X]/G/1 retrial G-queue with single vacation and unreliable server is investigated in this paper. Arrivals of positive customers form a compound Poisson process, and positive customers receive service immediately if the server is free upon their arrivals; Otherwise, they may enter a retrial orbit and try their luck after a random time interval. The arrivals of negative customers form a Poisson process. Negative customers not only remove the customer being in service, but also make the server under repair. The server leaves for a single vacation as soon as the system empties. In this paper, we analyze the ergodical condition of this model. By applying the supplementary variables method, we obtain the steady-state solutions for both queueing measures and reliability quantities.     

Analysis of the M/G/1 processor-sharing queue with bulk arrivals

We analyze the single server processor-sharing queue for the case of bulk arrivals. We obtain an expression for the expected response time of a job as a function of its size, when the service times of jobs have a generalized hyperexponential distribution and more generally for distributions with rational Laplace transforms. Our analysis significantly extends the class of distributions for which processor-sharing queues with bulk arrivals were previously analyzed.     

Analysis of MAP/PH1,PH2/1 queue with vacations and optional secondary services

In this paper we study a queueing model in which the customers arrive according to a Markovian arrival process (MAP). There is a single server who offers services on a first-come-first-served basis. With a certain probability a customer may require an optional secondary service. The secondary service is provided by the same server either immediately (if no one is waiting to receive service in the first stage) or waits until the number waiting for such services hits a pre-determined threshold. The model is studied as a QBD-process using matrix-analytic methods and some illustrative examples are discussed.     

Ergodicity of the BMAP/PH/s/s+K retrial queue with PH-retrial times

Define the traffic intensity as the ratio of the arrival rate to the service rate. This paper shows that the BMAP/PH/s/s+K retrial queue with PH-retrial times is ergodic if and only if its traffic intensity is less than one. The result implies that the BMAP/PH/s/s+K retrial queue with PH-retrial times and the corresponding BMAP/PH/s queue have the same condition for ergodicity, a fact which has been believed for a long time without rigorous proof. This paper also shows that the same condition is necessary and sufficient for two modified retrial queueing systems to be ergodic. In addition, conditions for ergodicity of two BMAP/PH/s/s+K retrial queues with PH-retrial times and impatient customers are obtained. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Optimization of the T policy M/G/1 queue with server breakdowns and general startup times

This paper investigates the T$T$ policy M/G/1 queue with server breakdowns, and startup times. Customers arrive at the system according to a Poisson process. Service times, repair times, and startup times are assumed to be generally distributed. The server is turned on after a fixed length of time T$T$ repeatedly until at least one customer is present in the waiting line. The server needs a startup time before starting the service. We analyze various system performance measures and develop the total expected cost function per unit time in which T$T$ is a decision variable. We determine the optimum threshold T^∗$T^{\ast }$ and derive analytical results for sensitivity investigations. The sensitivity analysis is particularly valuable to the system analyst when evaluating future conditions. We also present extensive numerical computation for illustration purpose.     

On the M/G/1 queue with feedback and optional server vacations based on a single vacation policy

We study a single server queue with batch arrivals and general (arbitrary) service time distribution. The server provides service to customers, one by one, on a first come, first served basis. Just after completion of his service, a customer may leave the system or may opt to repeat his service, in which case this customer rejoins the queue. Further, just after completion of a customer's service the server may take a vacation of random length or may opt to continue staying in the system to serve the next customer. We obtain steady state results in explicit and closed form in terms of the probability generating functions for the number of customers in the queue, the average number of customers and the average waiting time in the queue. Some special cases of interest are discussed and some known results have been derived. A numerical illustration is provided.     

Bounds for the tail distribution in a queue with a superposition of general periodic Markov sources: theory and application

An efficient yet accurate estimation of the tail distribution of the queue length has been considered as one of the most important issues in call admission and congestion controls in ATM networks. The arrival process in ATM networks is essentially a superposition of sources which are typically bursty and periodic either due to their origin or their periodic slot occupation after traffic shaping. In this paper, we consider a discrete-time queue where the arrival process is a superposition of general periodic Markov sources. The general periodic Markov source is rather general since it is assumed only to be irreducible, stationary and periodic. Note also that the source model can represent multiple time-scale correlations in arrivals. For this queue, we obtain upper and lower bounds for the asymptotic tail distribution of the queue length by bounding the asymptotic decay constant. The formulas can be applied to a queue having a huge number of states describing the arrival process. To show this, we consider an MPEG-like source which is a special case of general periodic Markov sources. The MPEG-like source has three time-scale correlations: peak rate, frame length and a group of pictures. We then apply our bound formulas to a queue with a superposition of MPEG-like sources, and provide some numerical examples to show the numerical feasibility of our bounds. Note that the number of states in a Markov chain describing the superposed arrival process is more than 1.4 × 10⁸⁸. Even for such a queue, the numerical examples show that the order of the magnitude of the tail distribution can be readily obtained.     

Analysis of the M [X]/G/1 queues with second multi-optional service and unreliable server

A bulk-arrival single server queueing system with second multi-optional service and unreliable server is studied in this paper. Customers arrive in batches according to a homogeneous Poisson process, all customers demand the first ＂essential＂ service, whereas only some of them demand the second ＂multi-optional＂ service. The first service time and the second service all have general distribution and they are independent. We assume that the server has a service-phase dependent, exponentially distributed life time as well as a servicephase dependent, generally distributed repair time. Using a supplementary variable method, we obtain the transient and the steady-state solutions for both queueing and reliability measures of interest.