Reliability calculus using Max-plus algebra
Abstract
Max-plus algebra has been used in various fields as optimal control, statistical physics, discrete event systems, decision theory. In this paper an attempt is made to use it for the reliability calculus in solving the following problems: find the structure function of the system, keep track of the lowest reliability the system can get and find all the possible, eventually the lower bound, of the reliabilities of the elements (blocks) of the system which ensure a desired lower bound for the reliability of the system.