Analysis of a versatile batch-service queueing model with correlation in the arrival process

In the past, many researchers have analysed queueing models with batch service. In such models, the server typically postpones service until the number of present customers reaches a service threshold, whereupon service is initiated of a batch consisting of several customers. In addition, correlation in the customer arrival process has been studied for many different queueing models. However, correlated arrivals in batch-service models has attracted only modest attention. In this paper, we analyse a discrete-time D-BMAP/G/1 queue, whereby the service time of a batch is dependent on the number of customers within it. In addition, a timing mechanism is included, to avoid that customers suffer excessive waiting times because their service is postponed until the amount of customers reaches the service threshold. We deduce various useful performance measures related to the buffer content and we investigate the impact of the traffic parameters on the system performance through some numerical examples. We show that correlation merely has a small impact on the service threshold that minimizes the mean system content, and consequently, that the existing results of the corresponding independent system can be applied to determine a near-optimal service threshold policy, which is an important finding for practitioners. On the other hand, we demonstrate that for other purposes, such as performance evaluation and buffer management, correlation in the arrival process cannot be ignored, a conclusion that runs along the same lines as in queueing models without batch service.