World appl. programming, Vol(5), No (11), November, 2015. pp.

155-161

TI Journals

World Applied Programming

www.tijournals.com

ISSN:
2222-2510
Copyright 2015. All rights reserved for TI Journals.

A Robust Optimization Approach for Redundancy Allocation Problem

in LCD Unit Display based on Design of Experiment
Ali Salmasnia
Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Qom.

Ali Ghorbanian *
Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University.

Reza Siavashi
Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University.
Corresponding author: ali.ghorbanian@modares.ac.ir

Keywords

Abstract

Redundancy Allocation Problem

Multi-objective Optimization
Reliability
Entropy
Design of Experiment (DOE)

Determining the number of elements in each stage of a series parallel system is considered as an
important aspect in the reliability literature. Several methods have been proposed for solving this problem
in recent years. But most of them are merely explore the maximization of system reliability and ignore the
entropy as an important physical concept which is indicates the amount of disturbances in the system. In
this paper, a robust optimization approach based on design of experiment (DOE) for the series-parallel
system of LCD unit display with considering the constraint of cost has been proposed. The proposed not
only optimize the LCD screen entropy and reliability, but also minimize the impacts of uncontrollable
variables (noise factors) on the discussed objectives.

1.

Introduction

Nowadays, human reached various knowledge domain throughout development of science and technology. In other hand, given the progress in
different fields of knowledge, human needs have changed over the past years. This scientific development has led to the construction of complex
systems in various industries. Meanwhile, these scientific developments are much more evident in the industries like aerospace, spatial and
electronic equipment industries. They trying to raise the reliability of these equipment or systems as high as possible, because halting of this
systems due to technical defects could lead to serious damages including loss of life and property. As results, increasing these systems
reliability seems as significant and mandatory issue, thus, when designing these systems, much more attention must be paying to the reliability
of these systems. Designers of such equipment are trying to identify various strategies to enhance the reliability of their equipment. Among them
is the use of redundant components, increasing reliability of components, etc., which is one of the most important strategies for increasing the
reliability of the equipment is using the redundancy parts for subsystems that called redundancy allocation problem in the related literature.
Redundancy allocation problem is known as using redundant parts in the optimal design of series - parallel system in an effort to increase
reliability. The main purpose of this issue is maximizing the reliability of the system considering various constraints such as cost, size, and
weight.
Most of researches conducted in the context of redundancy allocation problem were single-objective. They have merely covered the reliability
maximization issue [1, 2, 11, 12]. Some instances of these studies are: Coit and Smith [1] presented a model in which the goal is maximizing the
reliability and cost constraints have been considered. Tavakkoli-Moghaddam et al [2] proposed a model for maximization of reliability using
active redundancy and cold standby redundancy while considering the limitations of the system weight and cost.
There are multi-objective researches on the redundancy allocation problem. They used multiple objective function concurrently in the modeling
of these studies, and applied various analysis methods. Reliability maximization was the first and out most purpose of these researches [3, 4, 5,
13, 14, 15]. Some of these studies are discussed here:
Liang and Chen [3] have presented various models in their own research that classified in three different class based on the redundancy
allocation problem. The first model was pursuing the objectives of maximizing the reliability and minimizing cost, while considering the weight
and size restrictions. In the second model, an upper bound for weight and a given area for a number of redundant parts for each subsystem have
been added to the model. Finally, the third model uses two objective function of maximizing reliability and minimizing weight of system and
also an upper bound for the cost of the system and the upper and lower bounds for the number of redundant components.
Mahapatra [4] presented a model in which the minimization of entropy has been used. In the series parallel systems, presence of special
arrangement is very important in the system. They consider the entropy minimization function in the model in order to achieve desired
arrangement and order in the system. When we havent any specific information about the system, and we do not know which part of the system
works with higher reliability; the entropy objective function is helpful; then they trying to add equal number of redundant components to each
subsystem. This will helps to prevent the gaps in the system. Mahapatra have considered maximization of the reliability along with his main
purpose of entropy minimization.
In recent years, minimizing variance is attracting scholars attention. Coit and colleagues [5] studied the reliability maximization in addition to
exploring the purpose of minimizing the variance of estimated reliability values. They have considered both weight and cost factors as a
limitation.
We proposed a multi-objective optimization approach for solving redundancy allocation problem in current study. The proposed approach
pursues minimization of the system susceptibility to uncontrollable factors in the optimization process in addition to maximizing system
reliability and regularity. It will reduce the variance of goals deviation from their ideal values.
In this study, the definition of the problem was expressed in Section 2, where we explained the structure of the model along with a mathematical
model. Then, the proposed approach for optimization was presented in section 3. In Section 4, a numerical example according to the proposed
approach has been implemented on the LCD screen, and finally, the conclusions of the study are presented in Section 5.

Ali Salmasnia, Ali Ghorbanian *, Reza Siavashi

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World Applied Programming Vol(5), No (11), November, 2015.

2.

Statement of problem

In the current research, figure 1 displays the redundancy allocation problem in a series-parallel structure, which will be explored in a multiobjective approach. As previously mentioned, the decision variables in these type of systems is determination of the number of redundant
components in each subsystem that will be used for optimization of desired goals concurrently and along with estimation of the available
constraints. In this section, we first introduce the parameters and variables used in the model. Then desired objectives of the optimization process
is introduced, and the mathematical model will be shown finally.
2.1 Parameters and Variables
Proposed parameters and variables are include:
i: Subsystems index
j: Components index in each subsystem
l: Objectives index
k: Tests index
cij: Fixed (constant) cost of each component
C: Total Cost
N: Total number of subsystems
ni: Maximum number of elements in the i-th subsystem
rij: the reliability of the j-th component of the i-th subsystem
Var (rij): variance of the estimated reliability in the j-th component of the i-th subsystem
Eni: Entropy value in each implementation
xij: Number of the j-th component of the i-th subsystem
fk: Adjustment matrix coefficients according to aim of each test in the k-th test
A*: Vector of ideal solution
A-: Vector of negative ideal solution
Wl: Weight assigned to the l-th purpose
Rk: Distance from experiment results in the k-th test
Sk: Proximity to experiment results in the k-th test
Qk: VIKOR index of the k-th tests

Figure 1. A system with parallel-series structure

2.2 Maximization of reliability

The primary purpose of the problem is reliability maximization, which is considered as the main goal of majority of research studies in the
redundancy allocation research domain. While increasing reliability lead to reduction in failure costs and also the product warranty expenditures;
it is regarded as the main and primary objective of this type of studies.
(1)
R
2.3 Entropy minimization
The second purpose that assumed for current problem is entropy minimization. According to the nature of series parallel system, this goal is an
appropriate criteria to reduce the irregularities in the system. This objective is frequently used in the series parallel system, in which, there are
lack of enough information about components reliability; and because the value of reliability in the produced systems is mutable, and there are
lack of related information; this objective is considered as an effective goal in this kind of systems:
( )

(2)

2.4 Variance minimization

The third purpose of study was minimizing the variance of estimated reliability values, which have not been covered yet in the previous studies
along their other goals; and considered as one of the important objective of current study. Due to variability of the estimated reliability values,
this could became an appropriate goal for current issue. It has been already known that the reliability of each produced part could be different
from previous part, this objective can cover the minimization of dispersed values. In this article, the reliability values obtained through
simulation, and this process produces different values in each system implementation; thus, using this goal alongside other objectives can be
fruitful. The variance of the goals deviation from their ideal values could be minimized, and furthermore, reduces the effects of uncontrollable
variables (disturbing factors) on the mentioned objectives.
(3)
( )
In this problem, where trying to increase reliability, we can provide many allocations and consider an essential constraints for the model, in
which, the redundant components costs must not excess a permissible level.

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A Robust Optimization Approach for Redundancy Allocation Problem in LCD Unit Display based on Design of Experiment
World Applied Programming Vol(5), No (11), November, 2015.

(4)

2.5 Mathematical model

We will express the mathematical model according to objective function definitions and constraints
MaximizeRs( ,
MaximizeEn(

,.,
,

)=

,.,

)=

( /

[1 (1
)

( /

) ]

(5)

(6)

MaximizeV= Var(

(7)

s.t:
C s(

, .,

)=

(8)

The first objective function shows the maximization of the series-parallel systems, the second objective with negative sign shows maximize
conversion and also the relationships between irregularities of series-parallel systems. The third objective function has negative conversion sign
too. As mentioned earlier, because reliability is a mutable entity and have not a constant value, it is used as the third objective alongside of other
objectives. In the following section, problem will be discussed according to experiment design approach.

3.

Proposed approach

In this section, we'll explore multi-objective problem using two test design phase and the aggregate phase VIKOR methods and the optimal
answer will be achieved through selecting the optimal experiment design. In this part, a series parallel system have been designed using the
Arena simulation software, which will be explained in detail later. Finally, it will be clear that how many redundant component must put in each
subsystem in order to acquire maximum reliability, minimum irregularity, minimum dispersion index for a specified range of the cost; using the
design of experiments approach.
3.1 First phase: experiments design approach
According to problem conditions, different levels are considered in designing experiments. Here, we select the experiments level based on the
number of subsystems. In other word, if we have four state in each subsystem, or we are allowed to have four component in each subsystem, the
experiments level will be defined as number 1 to 4. In order to observe the repeatability requirement of the experiments design, we used different
statistical distributions in simulation of the each components.
In most designs the combined Taguchi designs are used in most studies due to variability of the experiments levels.
3.2 Second phase: VIKOR method
VIKOR is a method in which, designs are evaluated based on the two criteria of variance and mean of responses to presented designs, and a plan
with lowest variance will be selected. VIKOR is a multi-criteria decision method that created for solving discrete decision problem with
disproportionate measures (units of measurement). This method is based on ranking and selection from a set of alternatives, and focused on
determination of an adaptive solutions to a problem with conflicting criteria, which can help decision makers to reach a final decision. Adaptive
solutions is a closest feasible solution to the ideal solution, and adaptation or consistency means a response that achieved through mutual
agreement. VIKOR index is a measure that used to reduce variance of the responses, because big deviation of the responses are not accepted in
the engineering sciences. Setting up the responses in a multi-response condition where large deviations exist between responses is only feasible
through using a method called VIKOR method.
3.2.1 Step one: VIKOR method and MCDM problem
MCDM is a method that study a problem form different objectives, and present the best solution from multiple objectives. We use a matrix for
solving the problem in following section. In this matrix, rows shown the experiments and columns shown the problem objectives.

D= ..
.

( )

( )
( )
.
..

( )

..

k=1,,m
3.2.2 Step two: normalization of decision matrix D
We use equation (9) for normalizing first objective function that is maximizing systems reliability:
=

(9)
R

We use equation (10) for normalizing second objective function that is minimizing the variance of responses:

Ali Salmasnia, Ali Ghorbanian *, Reza Siavashi

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World Applied Programming Vol(5), No (11), November, 2015.

Var

(10)
Var

We use equation (11) for normalizing third objective function that is minimizing the entropy:

(11)

As mentioned earlier, number of experiments (tests) are presented by K. k=1,, m

3.2.3 Step three: determination of ideal solution and negative-ideal solution
We obtain the ideal solutions using equation (12) in this step, and solution vector which is shown by the A* symbol will produces the best
solution of each objectives.
(12)
A*= {
NR }, {
NVar }{
NEn } ={NR , NVar , NEn }
Equation (13) is used for obtaining the negative-ideal solutions and shown by the A symbol. This vector considers the worst responses for each
objectives.
(13)
A -= {
NR }, {
NVar }, {
NEn } ={NR , NVar , NEn }
3.2.4 Step four: determination of utility measure and regret measure of the response
In this part, the utility measure of the response will be calculated and assign specific weights to each objectives. For this purpose, equation (14)
will be used:
(NR NR )
+
(NR NR )

(
(

)
)

(NEn NEn )

(NEn NEn )

(14)

The responses regret measure will calculated using equation (15):

=

)
)

)
)

(
(

)
)

(15)

3.2.5 Step five: calculation of VIKOR index

In the final steps, VIKOR index is calculated. The index is calculated for specified experiments or alternatives. In this case S*=Min Sk- =Max
Sk,R*=Min Rk, R- =Max Rk- S And calculated using equation (16):
=
Where

+(1- )

(16)

is the amount of weight assigned to utility or regrets of the response, which is generally considered 0.5 in research studies [8, 9, 16].

3.2.6 Step six: ranking

In the end, the VIKOR index is ranked and arranged in ascending order. Finally, we consider the minimal response as the best solution.

4.

Numerical example

According to the proposed model, well study a numerical example of a series - parallel system. This series- parallel system is related to a part of
the LCD screen, which has three parallel subsystems and illustrated in the figure (2) [10]. Then we simulated this series - parallel system, and
consider different distribution function for each component. This will lead to preservation of the repeatability of experiments. For this numerical
example, a Taguchi plan L8 with one 4 surface column and two 2 surface row will be considered. Based on the simulation and calculation
carried out on the example, we obtained the scheme presented in the table (1):

Microprocessor 1
Image tube 1
LCD

Supply energy
Integrated board

Microprocessor 2
Image tube 2

Supply energy
Microprocessor 3

Figure 2. A series-parallel system of a part of the LCD display

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A Robust Optimization Approach for Redundancy Allocation Problem in LCD Unit Display based on Design of Experiment
World Applied Programming Vol(5), No (11), November, 2015.

Step one: according to step one, a matrix D with 8 Taguchi experiment presented. Three objectives are shown as columns and the numbers of
experiments are indicated in the rows.
( )

1.039 0.00177
0.5616
0.616 0.000732 0.6220
1.078 0.00166
0.6890
0.887 0.000409 0.7703
D=
0.486 0.000403 0.7820
0.486 0.00135 0.75833
0.270 0.00038 0.79633
0.270 0.00139 0.77166

Step two: the above matrix is normalized based on the equations (9), (10), and (11).
( )

0.2686 0.5024 0.517
0.2975 0.2073 0.307
0.3296 0.471 0.537

fk= 0.3685 0.116 0.442

0.3741 0.114 0.242
0.3628 0.383 0.242
0.3809 0.108 0.134
0.3691 0.394 0.134

Step three: calculation of ideal and negative-ideal solution using equations (12) and (13):
A*=Ideal solution= [0.3809, 0.108, 0.134]
A- =Negative solution= [0.2686, 0.5024, 0.537]
Table 1. L8 plan for redundancy allocation problem of LCD display screen
Row
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

x2
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4

x1
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2

x3
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1

R1
0.587
0.620
0.721
0.783
0.796
0.792
0.810
0.806

R2
0.585
0.650
0.703
0.781
0.791
0.764
0.805
0.777

R3
0.513
0.596
0.643
0.747
0.759
0.719
0.774
0.732

mean(R)
0.56160
0.62200
0.68900
0.77030
0.78200
0.75833
0.79633
0.77166

var(R)
0.001770
0.000732
0.001660
0.000409
0.000403
0.001350
0.000380
0.001390

Entropy
1.039
0.616
1.078
0.887
0.486
0.486
0.270
0.270

using

Step five (calculation of VIKOR index): in this step, VIKOR index will calculated considering equation (16) and specified weights.
The VIKOR charts are presented in fig (3) and (4) based on the weight of each objectives.

= 0.5

Step four: in this part, we assess the problems objective based on the two different weighting, and compute the values of
equations (14) and (15). Results of these calculations are summarized in table (2).

First category of weights:

If W1=1/3, W2=1/3, W3=1/3, then:
Table 2. Calculations for first category of weights for redundancy allocation problem
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

x
[0.33,0.33,0.31]
[0.24,0.084,0.14]
[0.151,0.307,0.33]
[0.036,0.006,0.25]
[0.02,0.005,0.09]
[0.05,0.23,0.09]
[0.00,0.00,0.00]
[0.034,0.24,0.00]

R
0.33
0.24
0.33
0.25
0.09
0.23
0.00
0.24

S
0.6366
0.472
0.790
0.294
0.114
0.375
0.00
0.376

Q
0.9029
0.66
1.00
0.56
0.2
0.58
0.00
0.53

v ic o r Q 1 ,W = 0 .3 3
1 .0

Qi-w=0.33

0 .8

0 .6

0 .4

0 .2

0 .0
1

In d e x

Figure 3. VIKOR index chart for first category of weights

Ali Salmasnia, Ali Ghorbanian *, Reza Siavashi

160

World Applied Programming Vol(5), No (11), November, 2015.

Second category of weights:

If W2 =1/5, W3 =1/5, W1=3/5, then different weights will be considered for each objectives. Calculation are carried out based on the
corresponding relations. Results are shown in the table (3):
Table 3. Calculations for second category of weights for redundancy allocation problem
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

x
[0.6,0.2,0.19]
[0.44,0.05,0.086]
[0.27,0.18,0.2]
[0.066,0.004,0.15]
[0.036,0.003,0.054]
[0.09,0.14,0.054]
[0.00,0.00,0.00]
[0.063,0.146,0.00]

R
0.6
0.44
0.27
0.15
0.054
0.14
0.00
0.146

S
0.995
0.584
0.662
0.224
0.093
0.292
0.00
0.209

Q
1.00
0.66
0.55
0.2304
0.088
0.26
0.00
0.23

v i c o r Q 1 , W = 0 . 6 , 0 .2 ,0 .2
1 .0

Qi-w=0.6

0 .8

0 .6

0 .4

0 .2

0 .0
1

In d e x

Figure 4. VIKOR index chart for second category of weights

As it can be seen, the same results were obtained in both sets of weights. If the weights are changed, and our tendency towards a specific goal
was higher, the answer will change. In this example, the optimal solution was x1 = 1, x2 = 4, x3 = 2, which means that optimal solution in this
example is that of a one image tube, four microprocessor and dual power supply.

5.

Conclusion

In this research, we proposed an approach to optimizing the redundancy allocation problem. There is a different approach for this purpose, but
most of them are merely consider the system reliability maximization, and dont introduce variance of system reliability in their optimization
process.
To solve this problems, a multi-objective optimization approach based on design of experiments, VIKOR was proposed, which has the following
features:
1. Maximize the system reliability and regularity simultaneously.
2. Follows minimizing the variance of reliability in order to reduce the effect of interference factors in the process
3. Minimize the variance of the objective deviation from their ideal values.
As future research, it seems proper to develop and extent proposed model in two directions:
A. The use of different maintenance and restoration patterns to enhance the reliability of system.
B. Simultaneous application of both active and standby redundant in series parallel system model in order to improve the proximity of
model to reality.

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A Robust Optimization Approach for Redundancy Allocation Problem in LCD Unit Display based on Design of Experiment
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