An Algorithm for Evaluating Overall Reliability of Special Tree-Networks

The overall reliability of networks composed of trees, cycles and semi-cycles is determined using a computer algorithm. An n-node cycle contains n nodes and links forming a single loop; an n-node semi-cycle has more than one loop, but reduces to a cycle upon the removal of one link. The algorithm identifies all cycles and semi-cycles and determines iteratively the overall reliability using a simple formula and Bayesian decomposition.