Generalized telegraph process with random delays

Abstract

In this paper we study the distribution of the location, at time t, of a particle moving U time units upwards, V time units downwards, and W time units of no movement (idle). These are repeated cyclically, according to independent alternating renewals. The distributions of U, V, and W are absolutely continuous. The velocities are v = +1 upwards, v = -1 downwards, and v = 0 during idle periods. Let Y⁺(t), Y^-(t), and Y⁰(t) denote the total time in (0, t) of movements upwards, downwards, and no movements, respectively. The exact distribution of Y⁺(t) is derived. We also obtain the probability law of X(t) = Y⁺(t) - Y^-(t), which describes the particle's location at time t. Explicit formulae are derived for the cases of exponential distributions with equal rates, with different rates, and with linear rates (leading to damped processes).