Reliability modeling of modular k-out-of-n systems with functional dependency: A case study of radar transmitter systems. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiahou, Tangfan; Zheng, Yi-Xuan; Liu, Yu; Chen, Hong
• Is Part Of: Reliability engineering & system safety. Volume 233(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Modular k-out-of-n system -- Functional dependency -- Dynamic Bayesian network -- Reliability modeling -- Radar transmitter system; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; System safety -- Periodicals; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Sécurité des systèmes -- Périodiques; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; 620.00452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2023.109120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-8320

Abstract

Highlights: A new modular k -out-of- n system model with functional dependency is developed. Bayesian network is used to model the reliability of modular k -out-of- n systems. An algorithm is designed to automatically generate the CPTs of the BN model. DBN model is developed to update the system reliability using observations. A real-world radar transmitter system in the space launch site is studied. Abstract: The k -out-of- n systems are among the most important redundancy structures in engineering practices, and their reliability assessment has been extensively studied in the past decades. However, components in a k -out-of- n structure are often subject to functional dependency (FDEP), in which component states are affected by other components' states in the system. In this article, we study a new system structure, namely modular k -out-of- n system with FDEP. In such a system, the failure of some specific components will disable some components in the k -out-of- n structure. Bayesian network (BN) models are used to construct the structure function of modular k -out-of- n systems. The parameters encoded in the graphical structure of the modular k -out-of- n system are automatically generated by a customized algorithm. Furthermore, a dynamic BN (DBN) is developed to update the reliability of modular k -out-of- n system dynamically when observation data are collected from either component or system level. The Birnbaum importance measure of the different types of components in the modular k -out-of- n system is also evaluated by the DBN model via inserting evidence of the components' states overtime. A real-world case of a radar transmitter system in the space launch site is studied to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.