Optimization Of The Reliability Polynomial In Presence Of Mediocre Elements

Some connections between extremal set theory and the optimization of the reliability polynomial are shown. Then the concept of the reliability polynomial is generalized for the case when the elements can have three different states: good, mediocre and bad. The state of the device can be described by a 0,1,2 sequence. Such a state is called operative if the device operates when its elements are in the states described by the sequence. The maximum of the generalized reliability polynomial is studied under the condition that the set of operative states forms an antichain.