Stochastic Dynamic Programming and the Control of Queueing Systems / Edition 1

by Linn I. Sennott

Overview

A path-breaking account of Markov decision processes-theory and computation

This book's clear presentation of theory, numerous chapter-end problems, and development of a unified method for the computation of optimal policies in both discrete and continuous time make it an excellent course text for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Its comprehensive coverage of important recent advances in stochastic dynamic programming makes it a valuable working resource for operations research professionals, management scientists, engineers, and others.

Stochastic Dynamic Programming and the Control of Queueing Systems presents the theory of optimization under the finite horizon, infinite horizon discounted, and average cost criteria. It then shows how optimal rules of operation (policies) for each criterion may be numerically determined. A great wealth of examples from the application area of the control of queueing systems is presented. Nine numerical programs for the computation of optimal policies are fully explicated.

The Pascal source code for the programs is available for viewing and downloading on the Wiley Web site at www.wiley.com/products/subject/mathematics. The site contains a link to the author's own Web site and is also a place where readers may discuss developments on the programs or other aspects of the material. The source files are also available via ftp at ftp://ftp.wiley.com/public/sci_tech_med/stochastic

Stochastic Dynamic Programming and the Control of Queueing Systems features:
* Path-breaking advances in Markov decision process techniques, brought together for the first time in book form
* A theorem/proof format (proofs may be omitted without loss of continuity)
* Development of a unified method for the computation of optimal rules of system operation
* Numerous examples drawn mainly from the control of queueing systems
* Detailed discussions of nine numerical programs
* Helpful chapter-end problems
* Appendices with complete treatment of background material

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471161202
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	09/30/1998
Series:	Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics , #505
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.38(w) x 9.63(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

Linn I. Sennott, PhD, is Professor of Mathematics at Illinois State University.

Table of Contents

Optimization Criteria.

Finite Horizon Optimization.

Infinite Horizon Discounted Cost Optimization.

An Inventory Model.

Average Cost Optimization for Finite State Spaces.

Average Cost Optimization Theory for Countable State Spaces.

Computation of Average Cost Optimal Policies for Infinite State Spaces.

Optimization Under Actions at Selected Epochs.

Average Cost Optimization of Continuous Time Processes.

Appendices.

Bibliography.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

There is much to appreciate about his book. It is well written and thoughtfully organized and nicely integrates theory with computation. Its orientation toward SDP theory for buffer control will certainly interest scientists seeking solutions to communication network problems. (Technometrics, August 2000, Vol. 42, No. 3)

Editorial Reviews

There is much to appreciate about his book. It is well written and thoughtfully organized and nicely integrates theory with computation. Its orientation toward SDP theory for buffer control will certainly interest scientists seeking solutions to communication network problems. (Technometrics, August 2000, Vol. 42, No. 3)

From the Publisher

A textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate students and usable as a tutorial by operations-research professionals, management scientists, and engineers. Assumes a prior course in basic probability and stochastic processes and a mathematical sophistication generally. Presents the theory of optimization under the finite horizon, infinite horizon discounted, and average cost criteria then shows how optimal rules of operation (policies) for each criterion may be numerically determined. Draws examples from the control of queuing systems. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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