Optimal approach for level of repair analysis in concept phase based on PSO algorithm

An approach to optimize level of repair for materiel during concept phase is presented. The optimal percentage of sending a fault to operating site and central depot respectively without configuration information of line replaceable unit are designed. First, the factor which consists of availability and maintenance cost which influences modeling the optimization problem of level of repair during concept phase is analyzed. Then the transposition relationship of availability and expect backorder (EBO) is confirmed. The optimization model is established, which is solved by the particle swarm optimization and the objective function is EBO while the constraint is maintenance cost. The swarm algorithm is developed to resolve the optimal problem. Finally, the correctness of the model and the effectiveness of the algorithm are validated through a case for level of repair analysis. It proves that the implement optimal design for the determining level of repair during concept phase has an important role in guiding design and analysis for materiel and support system in the following stages.