A review of Multi-Agent Systems techniques, with application to Columbus User Support Organisation

Abstract

This paper reviews an advanced Knowledge-Based Systems architecture based on multiple agents. An agent is a software entity with autonomous processing capabilities and a private database, which acts on its environment on the basis of information it receives from its environment, perceives, processes, retains and recalls. Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) are systems of agents which coordinate their knowledge, goals, skills and plans jointly to take action or to solve problems, including the problem of inter-agent coordination itself. This paper shows how such an architecture is being applied by a Dutch consortium to a part of the Columbus User Support Organisation (USO). In the first part of the paper, Multi-Agent Systems techniques are placed into the context of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI). Technical issues at the system architectural and agent structural levels are highlighted. The needs for intentionality (i.e. the ability of one agent to model another), acting, planning (both reactive and generative), and learning are identified. The second part of the paper shows how MAS techniques may be applied to the In Orbit Infrastructure Ground Segment (IOI-GS) and, in particular, to the Columbus USO. The relevant features of the IOI-GS and the USO, including mission and experiment control hierarchies, are outlined, identifying potential applications of MAS techniques. The functions of a national User Support Operations Centre (USOC) are listed, and two functions are described in more detail, as they are expected to be implemented in The Netherlands' USOC (named the ‘Dutch Utilisation Centre’). A uniform MAS-based architecture is presented that is designed to support both functions. Prototype implementations of key parts of this architecture are described. Conclusions are drawn from the work performed so far.