Abstract

A new approach is developed for the joint queue-length distribution of the two-level non-preemptive Markovian priority queue that allows explicit and exact results to be obtained. Marginal distributions are derived for the general multi-level problem. The results are based on a representation of the joint queue-length probability mass function as a single-variable complex contour integral, that reduces to a real integral on a finite interval arising from a cut on the real axis. Both numerical quadrature rules and exact finite sums, involving Legendre polynomials and their generalization, are presented for the joint and marginal distributions. A high level of accuracy is demonstrated across the entire ergodic region. Relationships are established with the waiting-time distributions. Asymptotic behaviour in the large queue-length regime is extracted.