A reliability allocation method for combination serial-parallel systems

While many authors have presented algorithms to handle allocation to serial systems, the author also addresses parallel systems. Traditionally, a serial allocation drives the redundancy decisions. However, significant redundancies already exist in the system configuration described. These redundancies are due to partial overlap of functions being performed by an otherwise serial system. An algorithm has been developed to take advantage of these existing redundancies. It has been applied to a project with hundreds of functions with a high degree of redundancy. The methodology can easily be extended to similar allocation problems by tailoring the weighting factors and generalizing the concepts.<<ETX>>