A RESOURCE-SHARING HYPOTHESIS FOR COORDINATED SHARING OF SYSTEM RESOURCES

Abstract

A fundamental resource-sharing hypothesis that relates system throughput capacity to resources and resource-sharing procedures, and which goverens non-growth agent-directed systems, is proposed and justified. The hypothesis can be expressed as an equation called the resource-sharing equation. It shows how system throughput capacity can be maintained by reducing resources and increasing resource-sharing complexity, or vice-versa. All quantities used in the equation are precisely defined and their units specified. The equation reduces to a numerical expressio, and can be subjected to experimental test. The equation clairifies and quantifies a basic principle, enabling designers and operators of systems to reason correctly about systems in complex situations. Spreng's triangle, relating energy, time and information follows from the resource-sharing equation.