Agent Communication Language Messages Research Articles

An Effort-Based Reward Approach for Allocating Load Shedding Amount in Networked Microgrids Using Multiagent System

An effort-based reward approach is proposed in this article for the allocation of load shedding amount in interconnected microgrids. In this article, effort is defined as the relative contribution of a microgrid to the network with respect to its capacity. In contrast to the absolute contribution-based reward methods, where smaller microgrids are discriminated, the proposed effort-based reward method provides a fair chance for microgrids of all sizes. Historic data of efforts of each microgrid are recorded and an index (effort index) is formulated. The effort index is used as a measure to allocate load shedding to microgrids during emergencies, where microgrids with higher effort indices receive lesser load shedding and vice versa. Different weights are defined for efforts of microgrids depending on the operation mode of the network due to the difference in the importance of power sharing in each mode. In addition, a reward compensation algorithm is devised to mitigate gaining of benefits for longer times while making lesser contributions. The proposed method is realized by using a multiagent system in java agent development framework (JADE) via agent communication language messages. The performance of the proposed method is compared with existing load shedding allocation algorithms, i.e., proportional method, bankruptcy Talmud rule, and absolute contribution-based reward methods.

A hybrid real-time agent platform for fault-tolerant, embedded applications

This paper describes an agent platform based on the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Systems Architecture, which, together with a highly fault tolerant, bio-inspired hardware architecture, aims to increase the reliability of future, low-cost satellites. To achieve the stringent operational requirements imposed by the real-time and resource-constrained environment of a satellite, the Hybrid Agent Real-Time Platform (HARP) distinguishes itself from other platforms in three areas. Firstly, the HARP middleware uses discrete processors, instead of virtual machines or interpreters, as its agent execution environment. This has the advantage of reducing the agency memory footprint and enabling agents to perform real-time tasks. Secondly, the HARP communication stack makes use of ISO-TP over CAN 2.0A as its transfer level protocol, cutting out resource-intensive layers such as HTTP and IIOP. In addition, the communication stack allows real-time CAN traffic to share the network and be given priority over Agent Communication Language messages. Finally, the HARP middleware embeds a peer-to-peer task manager in each agency, allowing systems which are built using the bio-inspired Artificial Stem Cell Architecture and HARP middleware to autonomously reconfigure in the event of failures. The detailed design of the HARP middleware is given, together with details of an implementation of the HARP middleware on a set of prototype satellite hardware. The performance and scaling potential of the middleware, determined through a set of physical experiments, provide evidence of the practical feasibility of the proposed architecture.

XML-based agent communication, migration and computation in mobile agent systems

This article presents the research work that exploits using XML (Extensible Markup Language) to represent different types of information in mobile agent systems, including agent communication messages, mobile agent messages, and other system information. The goal of the research is to build a programmable information base in mobile agent systems through XML representations. The research not only studies using XML in binary agent system space such as representing agent communication messages and mobile agent messages, but also explores interpretive XML data processing to avoid the need of an interface layer between script mobile agents and system data represented in XML. These XML-based information representations have been implemented in Mobile-C, a FIPA (The Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents) compliant mobile agent platform. Mobile-C uses FIPA ACL (Agent Communication Language) messages for both inter-agent communication and inter-platform migration. Using FIPA ACL messages for agent migration in FIPA compliant agent systems simplifies agent platform, reduces development effort, and easily achieves inter-platform migration through well-designed communication mechanisms provided in the system. The ability of interpretive XML data processing allows mobile agents in Mobile-C directly accessing XML data information without the need of an extra interface layer.

Mobile-C: a mobile agent platform for mobile C/C++ agents

This article presents the design, implementation and application of Mobile-C, an IEEE Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA) compliant agent platform for mobile C/C++ agents. IEEE FIPA standards are a set of specifications designed to ensure the interoperation between agents in a heterogeneous network. Mobile-C conforms to the FIPA standards both at agent and platform level. Mobile-C extends FIPA standards to support mobile agents by integrating an embeddable C/C++ interpreter—Ch—into the platform as a mobile agent execution engine and defining a mobile agent mobility protocol to direct agent migration process. Agent migration in Mobile-C is achieved through FIPA agent communication language (ACL) messages encoded in XML. Using FIPA ACL messages for agent migration provides a straightforward but effective way for inter-platform agent migration in FIPA compliant agent systems as both agent communication and migration can share the same communication mechanism. Choosing scriptable C/C++ as a mobile agent language allows mobile agents easy interfacing with low-level software modules and underlying hardware. Mobile-C has been used to simulate highway traffic detection and management. The agent-based traffic detection and management system uses agent technology for real-time distributed traffic information fusion. Mobile agents in the system are used for dynamic code deployment and performing unanticipated actions. The application of agent technology shows a great potential for enhancing the interoperability, flexibility and distributed computing capabilities of intelligent transportation systems. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Application of Intentional Subjective Properties and Mediated Communication Tools to Software Agents in Online Disputes Resolution Environments

This paper examines the use of subjective properties in modeling an architecture for cooperative agents using Agent Communication Language (ACL) that is used as a mediating tool for cooperative communication activities between and within software agents. The role that subjective and objective properties have in explaining and modeling agent internalization and externalization of ACL messages is investigated and related to Vygotsky’s developmental learning theories such as Mediated Activity Theory. A novel agent architecture ALMA (Agent Language Mediated Activity) based on the integration of agents’ subjective and objective properties within an agent communication activity framework will be presented. The relevance of software agents subjective properties in modeling applications such as e-Law Online Dispute Resolution for e-business contractual arrangements using natural language subject/object relation in their communication patterns will be discussed.