A new approach to reliability optimization in general modular redundant systems

Abstract The paper proposes a new technique for solution of reliability optimization problem in modular redundant systems whose sybsystems may be in series or complex configuration and are subject to multiple linear and/or nonlinear constraints. Modules within a subsystem may be statistically dependent or independent. In each subsystem redundant modules can be added in any one of the redundant modes (active parallel, standby or partial (k-out-of-n: G) redundant mode) or a more reliable module can be used in order to improve the system reliability. The gain in system reliability by allocating all the available resources to one subsystem only are determined for all subsystems and to the subsystem giving the maximum gain one redundant module is added or a more reliable module is used in that subsystem. The method has been illustrated by examples and results compared with existing methods.