Approximating Matrix-Exponential Distributions by Global Randomization

Abstract

Based on the general concept of randomization, we develop linear-algebraic approximations for continuous probability distributions that involve the exponential of a matrix in their definitions, such as phase types and matrix-exponential distributions. The approximations themselves result in proper probability distributions. For such a global randomization with the Erlang-k distribution, we show that the sequences of true and consistent distribution and density functions converge uniformly on [0, ∞). Furthermore, we study the approximation errors in terms of the power moments and the coefficients of the Taylor series, from which the accuracy of the approximations can be determined apriori. Numerical experiments demonstrate the feasibility of the presented randomization technique – also in comparison with uniformization.