A Fixed-Point Algorithm for Closed Queueing Networks

In this paper we propose a new efficient iterative scheme for solving closed queueing networks with phase-type service time distributions. The method is especially efficient and accurate in case of large numbers of nodes and large customer populations. We present the method, put it in perspective, and validate it through a large number of test scenarios. In most cases, the method provides accuracies within 5% relative error (in comparison to discrete-event simulation)

Manufacturing flow line systems: a review of models and analytical results

The most important models and results of the manufacturing flow line literature are described. These include the major classes of models (asynchronous, synchronous, and continuous); the major features (blocking, processing times, failures and repairs); the major properties (conservation of flow, flow rate-idle time, reversibility, and others); and the relationships among different models. Exact and approximate methods for obtaining quantitative measures of performance are also reviewed. The exact methods are appropriate for small systems. The approximate methods, which are the only means available for large systems, are generally based on decomposition, and make use of the exact methods for small systems. Extensions are briefly discussed. Directions for future research are suggested.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant DDM-8914277

Performance analysis of networks on chips

Modules on a chip (such as processors and memories) are traditionally connected through a single link, called a bus. As chips become more complex and the number of modules on a chip increases, this connection method becomes inefficient because the bus can only be used by one module at a time. Networks on chips are an emerging technology for the connection of on-chip modules. In networks on chips, switches are used to transmit data from one module to another, which entails that multiple links can be used simultaneously so that communication is more efficient. Switches consist of a number of input ports to which data arrives and output ports from which data leaves. If data at multiple input ports has to be transmitted to the same output port, only one input port may actually transmit its data, which may lead to congestion. Queueing theory deals with the analysis of congestion phenomena caused by competition for service facilities with scarce resources. Such phenomena occur, for example, in traffic intersections, manufacturing systems, and communication networks like networks on chips. These congestion phenomena are typically analysed using stochastic models, which capture the uncertain and unpredictable nature of processes leading to congestion (such as irregular car arrivals to a traffic intersection). Stochastic models are useful tools for the analysis of networks on chips as well, due to the complexity of data traffic on these networks. In this thesis, we therefore study queueing models aimed at networks on chips. The thesis is centred around two key models: A model of a switch in isolation, the so-called single-switch model, and a model of a network of switches where all traffic has the same destination, the so-called network of polling stations. For both models we are interested in the throughput (the amount of data transmitted per time unit) and the mean delay (the time it takes data to travel across the network). Single-switch models are often studied under the assumption that the number of ports tends to infinity and that traffic is uniform (i.e., on average equally many packets arrive to all buffers, and all possible destinations are equally likely). In networks on chips, however, the number of buffers is typically small. We introduce a new approximation specifically aimed at small switches with (memoryless) Bernoulli arrivals. We show that, for such switches, this approximation is more accurate than currently known approximations. As traffic in networks on chips is usually non-uniform, we also extend our approximation to non-uniform switches. The key difference between uniform and nonuniform switches is that in non-uniform switches, all queues have a different maximum throughput. We obtain a very accurate approximation of this throughput, which allows us to extend the mean delay approximation. The extended approximation is derived for Bernoulli arrivals and correlated arrival processes. Its accuracy is verified through a comparison with simulation results. The second key model is that of concentrating tree networks of polling stations (polling stations are essentially switches where all traffic has the same output port as destination). Single polling stations have been studied extensively in literature, but only few attempts have been made to analyse networks of polling stations. We establish a reduction theorem that states that networks of polling stations can be reduced to single polling stations while preserving some information on mean waiting times. This reduction theorem holds under the assumption that the last node of the network uses a so-called HoL-based service discipline, which means that the choice to transmit data from a certain buffer may only depend on which buffers are empty, but not on the amount of data in the buffers. The reduction theorem is a key tool for the analysis of networks of polling stations. In addition to this, mean waiting times in single polling stations have to be calculated, either exactly or approximately. To this end, known results can be used, but we also devise a new single-station approximation that can be used for a large subclass of HoL-based service disciplines. Finally, networks on chips typically implement flow control, which is a mechanism that limits the amount of data in the network from one source. We analyse the division of throughput over several sources in a network of polling stations with flow control. Our results indicate that the throughput in such a network is determined by an interaction between buffer sizes, flow control limits, and service disciplines. This interaction is studied in more detail by means of a numerical analysis

Throughput Analysis of Manual Order Picking Systems with Congestion Consideration

Throughput in manual order picking systems with narrow aisles suffers from congestion as pickers cannot pass each other. Only few models incorporate congestion but they have very strict assumptions. In this work, queueing theory is used to analyze systems with traversal routing as well as different storage policies. The models are able to estimate throughput for many alternative designs in a relatively short amount of time. New guidelines for narrow-­aisle order picking systems are introduced

Optimal Topological Arrangement of Queues in Closed Finite Queueing Networks

Closed queueing networks are widely used in many different kinds of scientific and business applications. Since the demands of saving energy and reducing costs are becoming more and more significant with developing technologies, finding a systematic methodology for getting the best arrangement is very important. In this thesis, design rules are proposed for tandem and various other topologies, to help the designer find the best arrangements which maximize the throughput. Our topological arrangements problem (TAP) can be established as: the system has m-service stations in a network and each one may have different design parameters. To relax the queueing system, the original finite buffer queue is decomposed into a buffer and an infinite buffer server system. Mean Value Analysis (MVA) is used to measure the performance of each topology arrangement. Finally, mixed-integer sequential quadratic programming (MISQP) is used to solve the optimization problem and it is compared with enumeration and a simulation model of Arena (a discrete-event model)

Perfect sampling of Jackson Queueing Networks

We consider open Jackson networks with losses with mixed finite and infinite queues and analyze the efficiency of sampling from their exact stationary distribution. We show that perfect sampling is possible, although the underlying Markov chain may have an infinite state space. The main idea is to use a Jackson network with infinite buffers (that has a product form stationary distribution) to bound the number of initial conditions to be considered in the coupling from the past scheme. We also provide bounds on the sampling time of this new perfect sampling algorithm for acyclic or hyperstable networks. These bounds show that the new algorithm is considerably more efficient than existing perfect samplers even in the case where all queues are finite. We illustrate this efficiency through numerical experiments. We also extend our approach to non-monotone networks such as queueing networks with negative customers.On considère les réseaux de Jackson avec perte comportant des files finies et infinies, et l'on s'intéresse à l'efficacité des techniques d'échantillonnage de leur distribution stationnaire exacte. Nous démontrons que la simulation parfaite est possible même si la chaîne de Markov sous-jacente a un espace d'états potentiellement infini. L'idée principale est d'utiliser un réseau de Jackson aux files infinies (qui admet une distribution de forme-produit) pour borner les conditions initiales à considérer dans l'algorithme de simulation parfaite. Nous donnons également des bornes sur le temps d'échantillonnage de ce nouvel algorithme dans le cas des réseaux acycliques, ainsi que pour des réseaux hyperstables. Ces bornes prouvent que le nouvel algorithme est considérablement plus efficace que les échantillonneurs parfaits acuels, même dans le cas où toutes les files sont finies. Nous illustrons cette efficacité par des expériences numériques. Enfin, nous généralisons notre approche au cas des réseaux non-monotones comme les réseaux aux clients négatifs

Perfect sampling of Jackson Queueing Networks

We consider open Jackson networks with losses with mixed finite and infinite queues and analyze the efficiency of sampling from their exact stationary distribution. We show that perfect sampling is possible, although the underlying Markov chain may have an infinite state space. The main idea is to use a Jackson network with infinite buffers (that has a product form stationary distribution) to bound the number of initial conditions to be considered in the coupling from the past scheme. We also provide bounds on the sampling time of this new perfect sampling algorithm for acyclic or hyperstable networks. These bounds show that the new algorithm is considerably more efficient than existing perfect samplers even in the case where all queues are finite. We illustrate this efficiency through numerical experiments. We also extend our approach to non-monotone networks such as queueing networks with negative customers.On considère les réseaux de Jackson avec perte comportant des files finies et infinies, et l'on s'intéresse à l'efficacité des techniques d'échantillonnage de leur distribution stationnaire exacte. Nous démontrons que la simulation parfaite est possible même si la chaîne de Markov sous-jacente a un espace d'états potentiellement infini. L'idée principale est d'utiliser un réseau de Jackson aux files infinies (qui admet une distribution de forme-produit) pour borner les conditions initiales à considérer dans l'algorithme de simulation parfaite. Nous donnons également des bornes sur le temps d'échantillonnage de ce nouvel algorithme dans le cas des réseaux acycliques, ainsi que pour des réseaux hyperstables. Ces bornes prouvent que le nouvel algorithme est considérablement plus efficace que les échantillonneurs parfaits acuels, même dans le cas où toutes les files sont finies. Nous illustrons cette efficacité par des expériences numériques. Enfin, nous généralisons notre approche au cas des réseaux non-monotones comme les réseaux aux clients négatifs