On reliability of discrete time systems equipped with protection blocks with application to consecutive k-out-of-n:G system

This paper studies the discrete time component level and system level reliability evaluation by considering a certain protection mechanism that is used to increase reliability. In particular, the discrete time version of the protection mechanism which was previously studied under continuous time setting is considered. An exact matrix-based expression is also obtained for the reliability of the discrete time consecutive k-out-of-n:G system equipped with protection block. The case when the lifetimes have a phase-type distribution is also taken into consideration. The novelty of the paper lies not only in the consideration of the discrete-time version but also in the new formulation of the reliability of the consecutive k-out-of-n:G system having a protection block.