A fuzzy simulation algorithm for estimating availability functions in time-dependent complex systems. (1st January 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azadeh, Ali; Ebrahimipour, Vahid; Ghoreishi, Foad
• Is Part Of: International journal of industrial and systems engineering. Volume 7:Number 4(2011)
• Page Start: 429
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 2011-01-01
• Subjects: fuzzy simulation -- fuzzy logic -- system availability -- DES -- discrete-event simulation -- time-dependent -- complex systems; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial engineering -- Periodicals; 620.001171
• DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2011.039669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-5037

Abstract

This paper introduces a fuzzy discrete-event simulation in order to estimate availability functions in time-dependent real systems, especially when insufficient data are available. Fuzzy numbers are used to describe uncertain activity durations (in this research failure/repair durations), reflecting vagueness, imprecision and subjectivity in the estimation of them. Specifically, this paper describes a general algorithm based on fuzzy simulation, which can be used to analyse a wide range of time-dependent complex systems, including those presenting multiple states, dependencies among failure/repair times or non-perfect maintenance policies even when insufficient data are available. The proposed algorithm is implemented for a Remote Telecommunications System by Visual SLAM simulation. It is also compared with conventional simulation to show its advantages and superiority. Furthermore, it can handle both crisp and non-crisp data for estimating availability functions in time-dependent complex systems.