Fast Reliability Ranking of Matchstick Minimal Networks

Abstract: In this article, we take a closer look at the reliability of large minimal networks constructed by repeated compositions of the simplest possible networks. For a given number of devices $n=2^m$ we define the set of all the possible compositions of series and parallel networks of two devices. We then define several partial orders over this set and study their properties. As far as we know the ranking problem has not been addressed before in this context, and this article establishes the first results in this direction. The usual approach when dealing with reliability of two-terminal networks is to determine existence or non-existence of uniformly most reliable networks. The problem of ranking two-terminal networks is thus more complex, but by restricting our study to the set of compositions we manage to determine and demonstrate the existence of a poset.