Agent-based distributed decision-making in dynamic operational environments

Abstract

The paper presents an approach and the supporting software tools for integration of intelligent multi-agent systems and the peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies to support the development of heterogeneous distributed decision making applications operating in dynamic ubiquitous environment. Particularly, the proposed technology integrates two software tools, MASDK 4.0 software tool and a P2P agent platform. MASDK 4.0 is provided with a graphical application specification language that supports the thorough and consistent conceptual analysis, detailed design, code generation and deployment of multi-agent systems applications including those operating in dynamic environments. P2P agent platform is a FIPA compliant middleware enabling transparent P2P interaction of agents operating in heterogeneous and ubiquitous environment. The platform is fully compatible with the multi-agent applications developed by MASDK 4.0. The combined application of MASDK 4.0 and P2P agent platform is demonstrated by a case study of the air traffic control and emergency management. In this case study a model of autonomous air traffic control is implemented by a set of distributed intelligent agents. This application is a typical example of a modem agent-based distributed decision making system operating in a dynamic P2P environment.