A difference equation approach for analysing a batch service queue with the batch renewal arrival process

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe consider an infinite buffer single server queue wherein customers arrive according to the batch renewal arrival process and are served in batches following the random serving capacity rule. The service-batch times follow exponential distribution. This model has been studied in the past using the embedded Markov chain technique and probability generating function. In this paper we provide an alternative yet simple methodology to carry out the whole analysis which is based on the supplementary variable technique and the theory of difference equations. The procedure used here is simple in the sense that it does not require the complicated task of constructing the transition probability matrix. We obtain explicit expressions of the steady-state system-content distribution at pre-arrival and arbitrary epochs in terms of roots of the associated characteristic equation. We also present few numerical results in order to illustrate the computational procedure.