Estimation procedures for partially accelerated life test model based on unified hybrid censored sample from the Gompertz distribution

The accelerated life testing is the key methodology of evaluating product reliability rapidly. This paper presents statistical inference of Gompertz distribution based on unified hybrid censored data under constant-stress partially accelerated life test (CSPALT) model. We apply the stochastic expectation-maximization algorithm to estimate the CSPALT parameters and to reduce computational complexity. It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimates exist uniquely. Asymptotic confidence intervals and confidence intervals using bootstrap-p and bootstrap-t methods are constructed. Moreover the maximum product of spacing (MPS) and maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimates of the model parameters and accelerated factor are discussed. The performances of the various estimators of the CSPALT parameters are compared through the simulation study. In summary, the MAP estimates perform superior than MLEs (or MPSs) with respect to the smallest MSE values.