Parameters estimation for weibull distributed lifetimes under progressive censoring with random removeals

Abstract

This paper considers the estimation problem when lifetimes are Weibull distributed and are collected under a Type-II progressive censoring with random removals, where the number of units removed at each failure time follows a uniform discrete distribution. The expected time of this censoring plan is discussed and compared numerically to that under a Type II censoring without removal. Maximum likelihood estimator of the parameters and their asymptotic variances are derived.