Data Collection and Averages

Abstract

In simulating a discrete-event delay system, a principal objective is to evaluate its performance with regard to throughput, buffer occupancy, delay, resource utilization, and system loss. Throughput denotes the rate at which a system provides finished product. As examples, throughput in a manufacturing setting denotes the number of finished goods that a factory produces per unit of time. In a telecommunications network, the rate at which messages pass from origin to destination constitutes a measure of throughput. The number of vehicles that cross a bridge per unit time characterizes throughput in a particular type of transportation system. Buffer occupancy denotes the number of items in the system awaiting processing or service and is sometimes called queue length. Delay denotes the length of time that an item waits and alternatively is called waiting time. Occasionally, system time characterizes delay. It is the sum of waiting time and service time. Resource utilization denotes the proportion of system resources that are kept busy processing items.