A mathematical model for discrete-time buffer systems with correlated output process (Q802221)

This paper considers a mathematical model for discrete time buffer systems with one or more input channels and multiple output channels. The analysis of these systems is carried out under the assumption that the output process is described as a first order Markov chain and is correlated. A set of equations describing the behaviour of this buffer system is derived. For a number of interesting special cases this set is solved and explicit expressions are obtained for probability generating function of the number of messages in the buffer. Several prior models for this kind of buffer system were found as special cases of the model under study. A practical example is worked out in detail, and results are compared to the ones obtained for an uncorrelated output process with the same equilibrium distribution, which showed that neglecting the correlation of the output process may lead to different results.