Sample-path analysis of stochastic discrete-event systems

Abstract

It is noted that, by examining a single realization (sample path), one can construct simple proofs under very general conditions for many interesting and important properties of queues and other stochastic discrete-event systems. The authors present a unified treatment of the sample-path approach for deriving distribution-free relations between performance measures for stochastic discrete-event systems. In addition to the classic example of L= lambda W (Little's formula), they discuss relations between continuous-time state frequencies and frequencies at the points of an imbedded point process, with particular attention given to the ASTA (arrivals see time average) property and the insensitivity phenomenon.< >