Markov renewal process
Appearance
In probability and statistics a Markov renewal process is a random process that generalizes the notion of Markov jump processes. Other random processes like Markov chain, Poisson process, and renewal process can be derived as a special case of an MRP (Markov renewal process).
Definition
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Markov_renewal_process_-_Depiction.jpg)
Consider a state space Consider a set of random variables , where are the jump times and are the associated states in the Markov chain (see Figure). Let the inter-arrival time, . Then the sequence is called a Markov renewal process if
Relation to other stochastic processes
- If we define a new stochastic process for , then the process is called a semi-Markov process. Note the main difference between an MRP and a semi-Markov process is that the former is defined as a two-tuple of states and times, whereas the latter is the actual random process that evolves over time and any realisation of the process has a defined state for any given time. The entire process is not Markovian, i.e., memoryless, as happens in a CTMC. Instead the process is Markovian only at the specified jump instants. This is the rationale behind the name, Semi-Markov.[1][2][3] (See also: hidden semi-Markov model.)
- A semi-Markov process (defined in the above bullet point) where all the holding times are exponentially distributed is called a continuous time Markov chain/process (CTMC). In other words, if the inter-arrival times are exponentially distributed and if the waiting time in a state and the next state reached are independent, we have a CTMC.
- The sequence in the MRP is a discrete-time Markov chain. In other words, if the time variables are ignored in the MRP equation, we end up with a DTMC.
- If the sequence of s are independent and identically distributed, and if their distribution does not depend on the state , then the process is a renewal process. So, if the states are ignored and we have a chain of iid times, then we have a renewal process.
See also
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2012) |
References and Further Reading
- ^ Medhi, J. (1982). Stochastic processes. New York: Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-27000-4.
- ^ Ross, Sheldon M. (1999). Stochastic processes (2nd ed.). New York [u.a.]: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-471-12062-9.
- ^ Barbu, Vlad Stefan; Limnios, Nikolaos (2008). Semi-Markov chains and hidden semi-Markov models toward applications : their use in reliability and DNA analysis. New York: Springer. ISBN 978-0-387-73171-1.