\ &
HEE TRANSACTIONS ON RELIABILITY, VOL. R19. NO, 4, NOVEMBER 1970
Markov Approach to Finding Failure
Times of Repairable Systems
JOHN A. BUZACOTT
analyzing repaleable systems i is often necessary to deter
sine such parameters a6 aval ‘ime, and te
fs failure, These and over fllure te messes are defined Froud
of calculating them using » Markov approach are developed. Al
‘oncepe spl ew meets rote st ackall fens bere
of te argc nubs: of pose system sats. Various special tchriqoes
‘aha lumping states ordecomponng the ist to deen sa
‘systoms-are-discased. These techniques, if applicable, can simplify the
tnalysic considerably
Reader Aids:
Pee: Widen state of art
Specsit math needed for explanation: Marko processes, matrices, Laplace
transforms
‘Special math needed for results: Same
Results usefl to: Designers, theoreticians
Iyrropuction
HEN analyzing a complex system with repair of
maintenance facilities, 1wo steps are necessary
110 choose an appropriate measure of the reliability of the
system: and 2) to develop a procedure by which numerical
values of the appropriate reliability measure can be ob-
tained
The choice of reliability measure requires consideration
of whether the main penalty or cost of system failures
depends on a) the total duration of failures or b) the fre-
quency of failures. Ifthe total du failures s impor-
tant, then the appropriate measure will be related to the
availability of the system, If the frequency of failures is
im, ‘tant, thea the appropriate measure will be related to
the interval of ime betwen successive failures ofthe system,
While the concept of availability is well known, the
measures appropriate to the situations where the cost of
failures depend on frequency of failure are not so well
understood. Thisis because the definition ofa time interval
between failures is not normally sufficiently precise in
specifying the condition ofthe system and its components
ai the beginning and at the end ofthe interval. For example,
at the beginning of the interval the system may have just
failed, or the system and its components may be in the as
stew condition, or the system may have just begun operating
alter repair but with some components stil under repair
Definitions and situations where each time interval is an
appropriate measure are discussed in the next section.
Numerical values of the appropriate reliability measure
Manuscript reccved August 15, 1969; revised October 16, 1970,
The author was with the University of Birmingham, Birmingham,
England. He is now with the Department of Industrial Engineering,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. Canada
can ‘be obtained ihe? Ly Wing etlatian and Monie
Carlo methods[t}0rby setting upand solving mathematical
(symbolic) models There are two mathematiea! approaches
that appear to be of practical value. One, the Markov
pprouch is reviewed inthis paper. The other, the network
oF reliablty block diagram approach, is dzteribed in a
companion paper [2
The particular Markov model that is usually appropriate
is that of describing the system as a diseretestae ep
models aré-Sometimes useful, and much less frequently,
semi-Markov models (3}ean be used. This paper restricted
There are several books [1}, (3) (4} tha describe methods
of determing ibe posible sates ofthe sytem, developing
the systemstate transition matrix and solving the state
equations to find the sytem availably, However, apat
from Sandler 3} there seems tobe litle published on how
to use the s)stem sate transition matrs m ealeulating the
value of measures elated to the time imerval between
failures of system required to operate continuously.
In this paper formulas are developed by which the means
(and, if necessary, other moments) of the diferent time
intervals can be Calculated if the tysemtate transtion
matrix is known. The formulas also show that the relation:
ships between the diferent ime intervals arse due to die
ent inal conditions atthe beginning of the ime interval
"The formulas usually require the solution of the system
state equations. This is offen an enormous task because
of the large number of possible states of comple systems
‘There are various shortcuts or approximations that can
besed. One approach is ioreduce the numberof equations
by combining or lumping [6] states. Another approach isto
try and discover whether the system consists of independent
fubsyttema or nou Ifo, the system time interval Between
failures can te found trom the subsysiem time interval
between furs. A means of using the stale transion
tmatrit to show that a system consists of independent sub-
system is dseribed inthe Append
“The discussion and explanations assume that the system
is quired to operate continuously and that there Is 0
specially favorable opportunity for repair and main:
Derintmions
Let system initiation be the instant when system operation
begins for the first time. The system and all its components
are assumed to be new and to be working correctly.Let system failure be the instant when the system changes
from working to failed.
Let system repair be the instant when the system changes
from failed to working
The first group of definitions apply to the concept of
availability. Point availability (at time 1): The probability
that the system is working at time ¢ from system initiation.
It is assumed that at time ¢ no information is available
about system failures and system repairs during the time
interval (0,1), {symbol P,(t)]. Imerval availability (at time t)
‘The expected proportion of the time interval from system
initiation (time 0) to time ¢ during which the system is
working, [symbol 1())
Hence
Ho) =
7
[pe
Asymptotically. for large tit can be shown using renewal
theory (eg. [7. p. 84) that point availability is numesically.
the same as interval availability. Thus
lim {P.(0} =
tim {100}.
lability referred
1@ next group of definitions refer to concepts related
to the time interval between failures. Each definition defines
a random variable. Following the definition is given the
symbol that will be used for the mean of the random
variable.
Up Time : Time interval from system repair to next system
failure (mean: MUT).
Down Time: Time interval from system failure to next
system repair (mean: MDT).
Cyele Time: Time interval from one system failure to the
next system failure. The cycle time is the sum of an up time
‘and a down time (mean : MCT),
Time to First Failure: Time interval from system initia-
tion to the first system failure (mean: MTF}.
Time to Failure: Time interval from an instant when the
system is working, chosen randomly, to the next system
failure. The randomly chosen instant is assumed to be a
Tong time from system initiation (mean MTTF).
‘The first three time intervals, up time, down time, and.
cycle time,' apply to a system that is alternately working,
failed, working, failed, and so on. The system is said to be
repaired when sufficient, but not necessarily all, components
are repaired so that the system is working,
It will be assumed in calculating all quantities except the
mean and other moments of the time to first failure that
the system has been operating long enough for initial
effects to have died away, ic. statistical equilibrium (as
defined by Cox and Smith (9}) or the asymptotic behavior
"The term “eyele time” was suggested by the editor instead of “time
bbeimeen failures” Unfortunately, in seliabity studies of repairable
systems, the term “vime between flues” x often used forthe concept
defined above as "time to frat failure” (eg
19
has been reached. The mean cycle time can then be obtained
from the ratio of the length + of some long time interval to
the number of failures N, in that interval, ie,
McT
and
SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE RELIABILITY MEASURE
If the cost of system failure is insured through the event
system failure, irrespective of thé ditation of failure, then
the appropriate measure of reliability would usually be the
MCT. However, if future of the system were catastrophic,
then the MTFF would be more appropriate
‘Availability is an appropriate measure if the cost of
system failure is proportional to the duration of failure
Very often it is desirable to calculate both availabili
8s two systems ean e same availabilty
MCTS, The formulas given in subsequent
sections show that there is very litte extra calculation
involved if MCT is caleulated at the same time as availa.
bility
‘The MTTF is not often a useful reliability measure
However, it may be a useful design parameter ifthe system
takes some time to carry out its function and that function
is initiated at a random instant of time; a possible example
is a radar warning system,
Markov Process MopeLs
The use of continuous-time discrete-state Markov-
process models for describing the behavior of repairable
systems is now quite common in reliability studies (1, (3}~
(5), [8] Im this section the basic procedure is summarized
and the symbols are defined,
Suppose that the system states are numbered 1,2,
and let
oh
Pht) = (POPS (0) +» Pylt)}
be an N dimensional row vector with Jth component
P(t) the probability that the system state at time Pig J.
‘Then the state equation describing system beh
a
Plo) = Pod
where 4 is the NX N state transition (rate) matrix of the
system,
The element il # Hof A.ay,
C aciie {Pelee ectanetom tejintc +
a a
and
Ee
Note that all off-diagonal elements of 4 are nonnegative.
‘The state equation can be solved ifthe initial state of the30
system is known, ie, the vector XO) is specified. Then
Pe) = PO) exp (At).
‘Methods of finding exp (At) are discussed in [10]
Often only the steady-state probabilities are required
‘They can be found by solving the set of N equations formed
from N ~ 1 of the N equations
PA
and with the Nth equation
Lat
See [8] for an example of the approach,
MEANS AND OTHER MOMENTS OF FAILURE TIME INTERVALS
BY MaRKov METHODS
‘pose the states are ordered so that in states 1.2.--K
the sysfem is working and in states K1 Kt 2.N
the-system is failed. Then the matrix A can be written in
partitioned form as
[ ]
4
GH
where the size of E is K x K, Fis K x (N— K), Gis
(N — K) x K,and His (N — K) x (N — K).
Define
Poult) = {P(e alt) + Pelt}
Pelt) = {Pao s(DParalt) + Pyld)}
Suppose that, at 1 = 0, the probabilities P,(0) are given
and the system is working, ie.
D PO) =
Tia the mean and other moments (about the origin) of
the time to next system failure can be found by following
the approach of Bartlett [11] for simple birth and death
processes. States K +1, K +2,.++,N are assumed for
, the purpose of calculation to be absorbing states, ic.,
)setG=H=0 *%) >
Then the state equations become
iz
ag le
4 Pa) = ROOF.
Taking Laplace transforms these equations become (since
P,0) = 0)
Ps) = PsO\st — BY"
sPH(s) = PO\o1 ~ BF
where the * indicates the Laplace transform, L{P(:)} = P¥(s).
The probability that the system is in a failed state at
Z SH) ~ Few = RUE
5 Psy = PLE
SS sverseaptien FEA anble
meq hy seabstituting Rte) x
mee TRANSACTIONS ON RELLAMILITY, NOVEDRER 1970,
time tis Ptlhy, where hy pis column vector of N ~ K.
Hence the Laplace transform of the probability density
of failure is
Ss) = SPHIig—1 = PaO\S1 — EY" Fly
Since the row sums of A are zero,
Phy = ~Ehg
and
(3) = = PAO\(sf = EY" Eg
‘The rth moment about the origin of the time to failure
"can befound from
lint a £03} )
{= P00 -Ehe cy.
din particular the mean js =|!
dn pale COAT dean ev ae SALE '
exe TO at = PONE)” tg. Be
‘These formulas enable td ieadand mnomésk of al the
failure times defined earier to be. determined through
appropriate choice of P,(0). The specific formulas for the
means are develope in the nest section
‘A number of authors (1) (5) [8] have obtained these
results but have only used them to ealeulate the MTF.
FORMULAS FOR FAILURE TIME INTERVALS
Time to First Failure: Uf state | is the state where all \\
components are i the new condition, then P.(0
fing T= {7,7 Ty) the MTF can
solving the K equations
= TE = (10.--0}
Then
MIFF = 5 1;
Time to Failure: Suppose the steady-state probabilities
of the states are known. Write P= {P,P,). Then the
probability of observing the system in @ working state
Vis Py/lPyhy) thus we have
PAO) = Pan),
P= EY"
Poh
Up Time: An up time interval will begin in state J ifthe
system was in @ failed state J and then made a wansition
from state J to state J. The probability of beginning an up
time interval in state J is thus
MITF
weth¢ dave frrmub t alee SITE. KUT,
cmtoslthat is,
PEhy PeFhy-n
Hence
is fs
‘The working states such that YF. gay, # Oare called
the boundary working states ié- they are those states
sgh that if the system is in one of them at time fit can Tal
ican ail
"Similarly the Boundary failed states will be those Failed
states such that DF. ay, #0.
It can be shown that (r + 1)th moment of up time =
(r + 1) (MUT) (rth moment of time to failure). Whence.
it can be deduced that the variance of up time = MUT
(2 MTTF ~ MUT) a result that is well known in renewal
theory [7] (MTTF is the forward recurrence time). Note
that only when MTTF = MUT will the up time have an
exponential distribution (with standard deviation equal
to mean)
Down Time: Usinga similar approach itean be shown that
Ln se
wore fe kei
akan Ses a
Cycle Time: Since the distribution of the cycle time will
be the convolution of the up time and down time distribu-
tions,
MCT = MUT + MDT
This formula can also be derived from the inverse of the
probability of a system failure in a short interval dt (i.e,
using Blackwel’s theorem [11]. Ifthe system isin boundary
working state 1, then the probability of system failure in
the short time interval eis)". ,,@,, at. So the probability
of system failure in dt is
Z py > ayy dt.
ma
Hence
Mee
vr
Because of the apparently constant failure rate, this
‘approach is apt to lead to the conclusion that time between
failures _has an exponential distribution. This is not true
generally.
EXAMPLE OF FAILURE TIME CALCULATION
Suppose
3a 0
® Of asset
oye
0 a
0 0 bb
and the system is working in states 1 and 2 and failed ua
states 3 and 4. Then the application of the above methods
gives (with a/b =r)
MTEF = ‘I Lee '
weil =
pt =1**
wer =} rae + “|
‘When ris much less than 1, ie, failure rate of a unit is much
Jess tham its repair rate, then
MUT = MCT = MTTF ~ MTFF,
‘This asymptotic result appears to be generally true for
high-reliability systems,
APPLICATION OF MaRKOV APPROACH
It ean be seen that the availability, MCT, and MUT can
be calculated directly from the steady-state probabilities
and the transition matrix. By solving the set of K equations
based on £, the MTFF ot MTTF can be found. Thus.
provided the system behavior can be described by a
Markov process, the approach appears o be quite universal.
However, for general systems the approach is quite
limited in its practical application. The main reason for
this isthe rapid increase inthe numberof possible system
states withthe size ofthe system. For example, a system of
only 10 independent subsystems, each with possible states
‘working of failed, Would have 1024 system states. So most
applications of the Markov approach have tended to be to
small-size systems.ma
‘There are some special techniques that can sometimes
bbe used to simplify the analysis, These techniques are
discussed in the remainder of the paper.
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES IN MARKOV ANALYSIS
Lumping States: It is sometimes possible to reduce the
number of states by lumping (6, p. 123]. A group of states,
can be lumped if the transition rate 10 shy oTRer STE L
_sioup of lumpabie sates i the same foreach sate inthe
‘group. In order that information
~lost-the himped group of states mi
stales or all system-failed states.
Lumping states is particularly useful when the system
has a numberof identical subsystems. For example. consider
a system of two parallel units with one repairman who
repairs the failed units in order of failure at a rate b, the
‘same for each unit. Then if the units have failure rates a,
das.
Lall be system-working
aya, a
ba a
6 a
b =o.
Way
states 4 and 5 can be Jumped. A then reduces to
2 = a. then states 2 and 3 can be lumped and
2 da
-b a
bb
awl bo =
General Closed-Form Solutions. There are « number of
systems that have been considered in queueing theory
studies, particularly in machine interference ((9}, ch. 4). 1m
‘me of these cases general solutions to the state equations
exist. So in order to apply the Markov approach the state
equations need not be solved, although the states must
still be enumerated. Thus the size of system that can be
handled is larger but still by no means adequate.
Asymptotic Equivalence of Failure Time Intervals: As
mentioned in the example above, the MTFF is approx-
imately equal to the MCT in systems of high reliability. If
2 system has few working states, it may be quite straight-
forward to solve the equations to obtain the MTFF.
However, it is not known how high the reliability of the
system must be in order for the approximation of one
failure time by the other to be valid.
‘System Decomposition: Suppose that 4 system consists
‘of a number of independent subsystems. Then to apply the
Markov approach it would first be necessary to determine
the possible states of each subsystem. The system states
would then be all possible combinations of the states of
each subsystem (ie, the set of system states is the product
of the sets of subsystem states). If there were m subsystems
and subsystem i had n, states, then the number of system
states m= myng---n,
{AE TRANSACTIONS ON RELIABILITY. NOVEMBER 1970,
‘The probability of any system state can be obtained from
the product of the probabilities of the constituent subsystem
states, Thus it is not necessary to solve the n equations:
instead the m sets of n, equations are solved. Usually this
is a much easier task,
Now it is shown in [12].[13] that, if the conditions for
the system to be working can be determined in terms of
whether the subsystems are working or failed. itis possible
to determine the system availability, MCT, MUT. and
MDT by assuming that each subsystem has just two states.
working and failed. The failure rate of the subsystem is the
inverse of the MUT and the repair rate is the inverse of the
MDT. Thus in systems of m independent subsystems only
2M states need be considered instead of enumerating all m
states,
Because of the considerable reduction in number of
states, if the subsystems are independent, it is worth
developing a procedure to test whether a given transition
matrix represents @ system of independent subsystems,
i.e. whether system decomposition is possible. This can be
done using stochastic automata theory. The method is
discussed in Appendix I
ConcLusions
‘The Markov approach to determining the time interval
between failures of complex systems is quite simple con-
‘ceptually. If some of the special techniques discussed above
‘can be used, then it is often possible to use the approach for
nontrivial systems without the number of states becoming
too large. Often the Markov approach is the only approach
that can be used. This is typically the situation in systems
with complicated repair and associated standby switching
policies.
However, when the system consists of independent sub-
systems, the Markov approach is not the only approach
that can be used, The Markov approach of [12], [13] still
requires enumerating the 2” possible states and checking
each state to see whether itis a system-working or system-
failed state, That is, it corresponds to carrying out a logical
analysis by explicit enumeration of cases (states). This is
rather inefficient in many applications compared to net-
‘work based methods such as discussed in (2) (14), although
the Markov approach is useful in verifying that these other
methods are correct.
Appexorx T
Decomposition oF Systems
Ifa given stochastic transition rate matrix represents the
transition rate matrix of a system of IV independent sub-
systems, then certain conditions must be satisfied
Define, following Bacon [15], a partition of the states of
the system to be the grouping of the states into blocks. A
partition with the substitution property is defined to be a
partition such that all states in the same block have the
same transition rate into any second block of the partition,
ice, the matrix is lumpable on the partition.
‘Now, ifa transition rate matrix represents a system of N
independent subsystems, then there will exist N’ differentaUZACOTT: MARKOV APPROACH TO FINDING FAILURE TIMES OF REPAIRABLE SYSTEMS
partitions with the substitution property, ie. it is possible
to form N different transition rate matrices (one for cach
subsystem) by lumping the states according to each parti-
tion. Also, these partitions will be mutually independent.
It is possible to find a condition on the elements of the state
transition rate matrix, which must be satisfied if the parti-
tions are independent.
Consider a transition rate matrix such that two different
partitions 2,1 exist. Denote by ry, the states in block k of
mand 1, the states in block ¢ of t. 1 1 t, is defined as the
states in both m and
Then
Pr {transition to state in my in t,¢ + del system in state i at
time t}
=F ajdt + bq,
where
i=l ifien
0, otherwise.
Now. if the partitions = and + are independent and the
system is in state fat time f,
Pr {transition to a state in mA teint + de}
Pr {transition to a state in my in «1 + dr} x
Pr {transition to a state in ze in tt + dt,
that is,
eo B18 + Bast (= aydt + 6a}
(z silt +6.)
whence the condition for independence of the partitions is
that forall 1%, te
ZL ay be Day + Sau EA
This can be seen to be satisfied for the matrix
1 2 3 4
1f-a-a,]} ay a:
2] | ab a
4
3] bs a, - a
4 by by
for the two partitions {12, 34} and {13,24}. Hence these two
partitions are independent and correspond to independent
subsystems.
In terms of stochastic automata theory the decomposition
ofa system into independent subsystems can be regarded as
133
4 parallel decomposition. Theorem 3 of [15] can be adapted
to give the condition for such a decomposition to exist.
Theorem: If there exists a set T of distinct partitions
(ry, 3--++1%) on the system states such that
1) each x, has the substitution property:
2) the greatest lower bound on the set is the partition
where each state is in a block of its own (ie. no pair of
states appears together in the same block in each partition);
3) all x, are mutually independent
‘Then there corresponds a decomposition of the system
into m independent subsystems. Each subsystem is associ-
ated with a partition x, belonging to T.
Tt follows from condition 2) of the theorem that each
state of the system can be expressed as the intersection of a
block from each partition. Thus, given the system-working
states its possible to determine the condition forthe system
to be working in terms of whether the subsystems are
working, ie. to determine the logical function connecting
system state and subsystem states.
In the above example with two independent partitions
with the substitution property
(12.34) = fr}
{93.24} = {21.4}
then state
emAy Jaman
enNy 45mM5
If the system is working in states 1. 2. 3, hen the logical
function determining the conditions for the system to be
working is
logical function = (ry 24) U(r A ty) Ulm A)
=m Une
i.e, the system is working if subsystem 1 is working or if
subsystem is working. In other words. the system can be
regarded as consisting of subsystems x and t in parallel.
REFERENCES
(11 M.L, Shooman, Probie Rei
[New York: MeGrawsHil 1968.
[2] JA. Buzacott “Network approaches to finding the reliability of
‘repairable sjtems.” this sve. pp, 140-146
(3) RIE. Barlow and F. Proschan, Mathematical Theory of Reliab
New York: Wiley, 1965.
[QW Roberts, Mathematico! Methads i» Reliability Enginering
[New York: McGraw-Hil 196s
[5] GH. Sandler. System Relablcy Engineering. Englewood Cis
Ni Prentice Hall, 1983
{6 1. Kemeny and J, Sell, Finite Markov Chains. New York: Van
Nostrand, 1960.
[7] DR. Con, Renewal Theory. London: Methuen, 1962.
[s] LR: Doyon and M. W. Bersenbrugee, “Solving complex reliability
rods by computer.” Pree. IEEE 1068 Ann. Symp. Relabily
pp asus
[9] BR: Cox and W. L. Smith. Queues. London: Methuen, 1961
[10] L.A. Zadeh and C. A. Desoet. Linear Sysiems—The State Space
lapproash. New York: McGraw-Hill 1963.
(11) MS Barlet, nTetradaction to Stochastic Processes. New York
Cambridge University Press. 1955
An Engineering Approach136
[12] M. Potkin and S. Einhorn, “Ketabilty prediction for continuously
operating systems." JEEE Trans, Rel, ol. Rol, 1965, pp 1422
103) SP. Appelbaum. “Steady state reliability of sytem ef mutally
independent subsistems.” IEEE Trans, Rel, vol, Reis, 1965. pp.
3,
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RELIABILITY. VOL, R9, NO. 4, NOVEMBER 1970
[14] 3, A, Buzacot. “Finding the MTBF of repairable systems by redoe~
‘ion ofthe reliability block digram.” Alroeeciran. Rel vol 8, 1967,
pp. 105-112,
[15 GC. Bacon. “The decomposition of stochastic automata." Inform.
oni. sol 7.1964, pp. 320-349,
Determination of Optimum Burn-In Time:
A Composite Criterion
LEONARD A. WASHBURN, MEMBER, IEEE
Abstract—The object ofthis paper isto present x mathematical model
capable of determining the optimum amount of time that semiconductor
‘evies, which have specified life characterise, mist be placed on bur-in
'o obtain maximum performance vers otal cost
‘To make the model operational and realistic, the traitonal assumption
of an exponeatial (more recently, Weibull) distribution of ife i omited ia
{aor of the generalized gamma distribution (GGD). This is done because
the GGD inches, as special eases, such distributions asthe normal, Ray
leigh, Maxwel, chi, chi, Webul gamma,
‘GGD is justied
inthe results ofthe stdies showing that (other thags being equal) small
changes in parametric vals of lie characteristics can cause vast diferences
in the optimam burn-in tne and maximum system efectivencs.
“The physical performance sector ofthe model incerporates system effec-
tiveness that includes such factors as availablity, expected tine to repae,
mission reliability, system use coeiclent, storage survival probability a
‘operational readiness
‘The costs considered are those due to buneia peraton,prodation, and
sales,
‘The model hasbeen stdled by use of computer rans from the standpoin,
‘of critical analysis and parametric sensitivity analysis
Special math needed for explanations: None
Special math needed for results: None
‘Results usefal to: Reliab engineers
Iwrropuerion
RADITIONALLY, the decision criteria used to burn-
in components have been overly simple and arbitrary.
appears that the most popular arbitrary figure for burn-in
is 168 hours, which happens to be exactly one week. The
most commonly assumed distribution has been exponential,
probably because of its tractability. The purpose of burn-in
is to eliminate infant mortality; hence, itis not uncommon
Manuscript received November 28,1970
“The authors wit the DeVry Inatue of Technology, 5383 Maple Ave,
Dallas, Tex. 75235,
to specify that burn-in continue until some arbitrarily low
value of failure rate is achieved,
Probably a more realistic decision criterion should
recognize and combine the elements of physical perform-
lance with the economic facts of real life. Moreover, it should
do this within the framework of a life model that is flexible
enough to approximate reality with a sufficient degree of
accuracy to afford valid, meaningful decisions.
I is the purpose of this paper to formulate such a model
‘and show how it may be manipulated to yield solutions for
optimum burn-in time. A list of symbols is given in Appen-
dix L The generalized gamma distribution is given in
Appendix IIL
Economic ConsIDERATIONS
Very rarely is it truc that “money is no object” in the
business world. In the few cases where this may be true and.
where performance is all important, then and only then may
we be justified in using a decision model containing only
physical performance criteria. In such a rare circumstance,
it would be logical to formulate a physical performance
model or utility function that would take into consideration,
all of the essential performance requirements that are
affected by burn-in. Next, the model would be maximized
(maximum performance is desired) with respect to burn-in,
time. The value of burn-in time that maximized the model
would be the optimum burn-in time. Unfortunately, such
‘a model would have ignored perhaps the most important
consideration of all: cost. With a fixed amount of funds
to spend, some constraint must be placed on performance.
Hence, the situation ultimately comes down to fulfilling
mission performance requirements in the most economic
manner possible. With this in mind, the following utility
function or total-cost model is presented.
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