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The value of information and efficient switching in channel selection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2022

Jiesen Wang
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. E-mail: jiesenwang@gmail.com
Yoni Nazarathy
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
Thomas Taimre
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia

Abstract

We consider a collection of statistically identical two-state continuous time Markov chains (channels). A controller continuously selects a channel with the view of maximizing infinite horizon average reward. A switching cost is paid upon channel changes. We consider two cases: full observation (all channels observed simultaneously) and partial observation (only the current channel observed). We analyze the difference in performance between these cases for various policies. For the partial observation case with two channels or an infinite number of channels, we explicitly characterize an optimal threshold for two sensible policies which we name “call-gapping” and “cool-off.” Our results present a qualitative view on the interaction of the number of channels, the available information, and the switching costs.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The University of Melbourne and The University of Queensland, 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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