Event coupling and performance sensitivity analysis of generalized semi-Markov processes

1995 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 741-769
Author(s):  
Xi-Ren Cao

We study a fundamental feature of the generalized semi-Markov processes (GSMPs), called event coupling. The event coupling reflects the logical behavior of a GSMP that specifies which events can be affected by any given event. Based on the event-coupling property, GSMPs can be classified into three classes: the strongly coupled, the hierarchically coupled, and the decomposable GSMPs. The event-coupling property on a sample path of a GSMP can be represented by the event-coupling trees. With the event-coupling tree, we can quantify the effect of a single perturbation on a performance measure by using realization factors. A set of equations that specifies the realization factors is derived. We show that the sensitivity of steady-state performance with respect to a parameter of an event lifetime distribution can be obtained by a simple formula based on realization factors and that the sample-path performance sensitivity converges to the sensitivity of the steady-state performance with probability one as the length of the sample path goes to infinity. This generalizes the existing results of perturbation analysis of queueing networks to GSMPs.

1995 ◽  
Vol 27 (03) ◽  
pp. 741-769
Author(s):  
Xi-Ren Cao

We study a fundamental feature of the generalized semi-Markov processes (GSMPs), called event coupling. The event coupling reflects the logical behavior of a GSMP that specifies which events can be affected by any given event. Based on the event-coupling property, GSMPs can be classified into three classes: the strongly coupled, the hierarchically coupled, and the decomposable GSMPs. The event-coupling property on a sample path of a GSMP can be represented by the event-coupling trees. With the event-coupling tree, we can quantify the effect of a single perturbation on a performance measure by using realization factors. A set of equations that specifies the realization factors is derived. We show that the sensitivity of steady-state performance with respect to a parameter of an event lifetime distribution can be obtained by a simple formula based on realization factors and that the sample-path performance sensitivity converges to the sensitivity of the steady-state performance with probability one as the length of the sample path goes to infinity. This generalizes the existing results of perturbation analysis of queueing networks to GSMPs.


1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi-Ren Cao

The paper studies the sensitivity of the throughput with respect to a mean service rate in a closed queueing network with exponentially distributed service requirements and state-dependent service rates. The study is based on perturbation analysis of queueing networks. A new concept, the realization factor of a perturbation, is introduced. The properties of realization factors are discussed, and a set of equations specifying the realization factors are derived. The elasticity of the steady state throughput with respect to a mean service rate equals the product of the steady state probability and the corresponding realization factor. This elasticity can be estimated by applying a perturbation analysis algorithm to a sample path of the system. The sample path elasticity of the throughput with respect to a mean service rate converges with probability 1 to the elasticity of the steady state throughput. The theory provides an analytical method of calculating the throughput sensitivity and justifies the application of perturbation analysis.


1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (01) ◽  
pp. 178-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi-Ren Cao

The paper studies the sensitivity of the throughput with respect to a mean service rate in a closed queueing network with exponentially distributed service requirements and state-dependent service rates. The study is based on perturbation analysis of queueing networks. A new concept, the realization factor of a perturbation, is introduced. The properties of realization factors are discussed, and a set of equations specifying the realization factors are derived. The elasticity of the steady state throughput with respect to a mean service rate equals the product of the steady state probability and the corresponding realization factor. This elasticity can be estimated by applying a perturbation analysis algorithm to a sample path of the system. The sample path elasticity of the throughput with respect to a mean service rate converges with probability 1 to the elasticity of the steady state throughput. The theory provides an analytical method of calculating the throughput sensitivity and justifies the application of perturbation analysis.


1981 ◽  
Vol 13 (04) ◽  
pp. 720-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Barbour ◽  
R. Schassberger

For a broad class of stochastic processes, the generalized semi-Markov processes, conditions are known which imply that the steady state distribution of the process, when it exists, depends only on the means, and not the exact shapes, of certain lifetime distributions entering the definition of the process. It is shown in the present paper that this insensitivity extends to certain average and conditional average residence times. Particularly interesting applications can be found in the field of networks of queues.


1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 708-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. R. Cao

Perturbation analysis is a new technique which yields the sensitivities of system performance measures with respect to parameters based on one sample path of a system. This paper provides some theoretical analysis for this method. A new notion, the realization probability of a perturbation in a closed queueing network, is studied. The elasticity of the expected throughput in a closed Jackson network with respect to the mean service times can be expressed in terms of the steady-state probabilities and realization probabilities in a very simple way. The elasticity of the throughput with respect to the mean service times when the service distributions are perturbed to non-exponential distributions can also be obtained using these realization probabilities. It is proved that the sample elasticity of the throughput obtained by perturbation analysis converges to the elasticity of the expected throughput in steady-state both in mean and with probability 1 as the number of customers served goes to This justifies the existing algorithms based on perturbation analysis which efficiently provide the estimates of elasticities in practice.


1998 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 676-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi-Ren Cao

We derive formulas for the first- and higher-order derivatives of the steady state performance measures for changes in transition matrices of irreducible and aperiodic Markov chains. Using these formulas, we obtain a Maclaurin series for the performance measures of such Markov chains. The convergence range of the Maclaurin series can be determined. We show that the derivatives and the coefficients of the Maclaurin series can be easily estimated by analysing a single sample path of the Markov chain. Algorithms for estimating these quantities are provided. Markov chains consisting of transient states and multiple chains are also studied. The results can be easily extended to Markov processes. The derivation of the results is closely related to some fundamental concepts, such as group inverse, potentials, and realization factors in perturbation analysis. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the accuracy of the single sample path based estimation. Possible applications to engineering problems are discussed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (01) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
A. J. Coyle ◽  
P. G. Taylor

There are some generalised semi-Markov processes (GSMP) which are insensitive, that is the value of some performance measures for the system depend only on the mean value of lifetimes and not on their actual distribution. In most cases this is not true and a performance measure can take on a number of values depending on the lifetime distributions. In this paper we present a method for finding tight bounds on the sensitivity of performance measures for the class of GSMPs with a single generally distributed lifetime. Using this method we can find upper and lower bounds for the value of a function of the stationary distribution as the distribution of the general lifetime ranges over a set of distributions with fixed mean. The method is applied to find bounds on the average queue length of the Engset queue and the time congestion in theGI/M/n/nqueueing system.


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