Stochastic analysis of standby system with duplex units

This paper investigates a mathematical model of a system composed of two units, one operative and the other cold standby. Each unit of the system is made of two non-identical parallel components and each component is made of n-elements. Henceforth we call each unit of the system a duplex unit. Failure and repair time distributions of each element of a component are negative exponential and vary from element to element, whereas the repair time distribution of a unit is arbitrary. Upon the failure of the operative unit the standby unit does not operate instantaneously. This type of situation may be found in many electronic networks. Several reliability characteristics of interest have been obtained.