Markov chains on Z ⁺: analysis of stationary measure via harmonic functions approach

We suggest a method for constructing a positive harmonic function for a wide class of transition kernels on Z ⁺ . We also find natural conditions under which this harmonic function has a positive finite limit at infinity. Further, we apply our results on harmonic functions to asymptotically homogeneous Markov chains on Z ⁺ with asymptotically negative drift which arise in various queueing models. More precisely, assuming that the Markov chain satisfies Cramér’s condition, we study the tail asymptotics of its stationary distribution. In particular, we clarify the impact of the rate of convergence of chain jumps towards the limiting distribution.