Reliability of a Special Class of Redundant Systems

This paper develops equations for predicting the reliability of a special class of redundant systems. Applicable systems include those which operate in a standby mode for a long period of time in anticipation of participation in a single mission. Manual repair is allowed in the standby mode but not in the mission mode. The analysis is also applicable to the single-mission case alone (no standby), where the reliability in this case is evaluated as a function of the reliability state at the start of the mission. The development employs the traditional approach using the concept of failure states and the attendant birth-and-death equations.