Comparative Reliability Analysis of <i>k</i> ‐out‐of‐ <i>n</i> Performance‐Sharing System Under Circular and Common Bus Incorporating Transmission Loss

ABSTRACT This paper examines the reliability of a multistate k‐out‐of‐n: G shared performance system through a circular bus topological structure, taking into account the loss of performance through linear and nonlinear transmission loss. The considered paper formulates a reliability model by incorporating an equal and unequal load‐sharing system using the universal generating function technique. The system studied is a k ‐out‐of‐ n : G shared performance system with n units operating at a separate performance level to fulfill random demand needs. Although transmission loss is a prevailing factor in a number of engineering systems with performance sharing, its effects are disregarded in standard reliability calculation despite its significant contributions to performance and reliability metrics. The reliability of the proposed system is also calculated using a common bus topology. The circular bus configuration enables bidirectional redistribution of surplus performance, while the common bus provides localized sharing. The paper presents a comparative study between circular and common bus topological structures under load‐sharing and non‐load sharing systems to determine which topology is superior in terms of reliability. The proposed approach is validated through theoretical analysis, numerical illustrations, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulations.