Heavy traffic limit theorems in fluctuation theory

Abstract

Let be a family of random walks with For ε↓0 under certain conditions the random walk U (∊) n converges to an oscillating random walk. The ladder point distributions and expectations converge correspondingly. Let M ∊ = max {U (∊) n , n ≧ 0}, v 0 = min {n : U (∊) n = M ∊}, v 1 = max {n : U (∊) n = M ∊}. The joint limiting distribution of ∊2σ∊ –2 v 0 and ∊σ∊ –2 M ∊ is determined. It is the same as for ∊2σ∊ –2 v 1 and ∊σ–2 ∊ M ∊. The marginal ∊σ–2 ∊ M ∊ gives Kingman's heavy traffic theorem. Also lim ∊–1 P(M ∊ = 0) and lim ∊–1 P(M ∊ < x) are determined. Proofs are by direct comparison of corresponding probabilities for U (∊) n and for a special family of random walks related to MI/M/1 queues, using the central limit theorem.