Showing papers on "Contract Net Protocol published in 2019"
TL;DR: Case study-based results considering two scenarios involving 100 customers illustrated that the proposed web application improves the rate of the recommendation for the customers, and the proposed system supported real time data communication.
Abstract: The purpose of the study is to design and develop a recommended system based on agent and web technologies, which utilizes a hybrid recommendation filtering for the smart tourism industry. A hybrid recommendation system based on agent technology is designed by considering the online communication with other sectors in the tourism industry, such as the tourism supply chain, agency etc. However, online communication between the sectors via agents is designed and developed based on the contract net protocol. Furthermore, the design system is developed on the java agent development framework and implemented as a web application. Case study-based results considering two scenarios involving 100 customers illustrated that the proposed web application improves the rate of the recommendation for the customers. In the first scenario without disturbances, this rate was improved by 20% and the second scenario with disturbances yielded a 30% rate of acceptable recommendation. In addition, based on the second scenario, real time data communication on the system occurred, thus the proposed system supported real time data communication.
36 citations
TL;DR: Simulation results show that the new planning model not only has obvious advantages in calculation time, but also outperforms the centralized multi-Agent system in terms of benefit value and completion rate.
31 citations
TL;DR: This paper describes the Distributed Uniform Stream (DUST) framework, a real-world application that uses the DUST framework for platform transparency, and the distributed DUST Coordinator, which will optimize the resource consumption by moving the application components to a different execution location.
Abstract: The increase of Internet of Things devices and the rise of more computationally intense applications presents challenges for future Internet of Things architectures. We envision a future in which edge, fog, and cloud devices work together to execute future applications. Because the entire application cannot run on smaller edge or fog devices, we will need to split the application into smaller application components. These application components will send event messages to each other to create a single application from multiple application components. The execution location of the application components can be optimized to minimize the resource consumption. In this paper, we describe the Distributed Uniform Stream (DUST) framework that creates an abstraction between the application components and the middleware which is required to make the execution location transparent to the application component. We describe a real-world application that uses the DUST framework for platform transparency. Next to the DUST framework, we also describe the distributed DUST Coordinator, which will optimize the resource consumption by moving the application components to a different execution location. The coordinators will use an adapted version of the Contract Net Protocol to find local minima in resource consumption.
24 citations
14 Oct 2019
TL;DR: A holonic-based mechanism for self-learning factories based on a hybrid learning approach that generates energy-predictive models via hybrid learning and seeks the minimum energy-using machine tool through the contract net protocol combined with energy prediction is proposed.
Abstract: The present work proposes a holonic-based mechanism for self-learning factories based on a hybrid learning approach. The self-learning factory is a manufacturing system that gains predictive capability by machine self-learning, and thus automatically anticipates the performance results during the process planning phase through learning from past experience. The system mechanism, including a modeling method, architecture, and operational procedure, is structured to agentize machines and manufacturing objects under the paradigm of Holonic Manufacturing Systems. This mechanism allows machines and manufacturing objects to acquire their data and model interconnection and to perform model-driven autonomous and collaborative behaviors. The hybrid learning approach is designed to obtain predictive modeling ability in both data-existent and even data-absent environments via accommodating machine learning (which extracts knowledge from data) and transfer learning (which extracts knowledge from existing knowledge). The present work also implements a prototype system to demonstrate automatic predictive modeling and autonomous process planning for energy reduction in milling processes. The prototype generates energy-predictive models via hybrid learning and seeks the minimum energy-using machine tool through the contract net protocol combined with energy prediction. As a result, the prototype could achieve a reduction of 9.70% with respect to energy consumption as compared with the maximum energy-using machine tool.
18 citations
TL;DR: The improved contract net protocol can reduce the traffic and run-time compared with classical contract net and dynamic contract net protocols and can achieve better assignment results and can re-forward all erroneous tasks.
Abstract: Background: The existing contract net protocol has low overall efficiency during the bidding and release period, and a large amount of redundant information is generated during the negotiation process Methods: On the basis of an ant colony algorithm, the dynamic response threshold model and the flow of pheromone model were established, then the complete task allocation process was designed Three experimental settings were simulated under different conditions Results: When the number of agents was 20 and the maximum load value was L max = 3 , the traffic and run-time of task allocation under the improved contract net protocol decreased When the number of tasks and L max was fixed, the improved contract net protocol had advantages over the dynamic contract net and classical contract net protocols in terms of both traffic and run-time Setting up the number of agents, tasks and L max to improve the task allocation under the contract net not only minimizes the number of errors, but also the task completion rate reaches 100% Conclusions: The improved contract net protocol can reduce the traffic and run-time compared with classical contract net and dynamic contract net protocols Furthermore, the algorithm can achieve better assignment results and can re-forward all erroneous tasks
17 citations
TL;DR: This paper proposes an approach that combines MAS, contract net protocol, workflow models and automated transformation of the workflow models to dynamically formulate the scheduling problem and develops a solution algorithm to solve the optimization problem by a collaborative and distributed computation scheme.
Abstract: Due to diversified and frequently changing demands from customers, technological advances and global competition, manufacturers rely on collaboration with their business partners to share costs, risks and expertise How to take advantage of advancement of technologies to effectively support operations and create competitive advantage is critical for manufacturers to survive To respond to these challenges, development of a dynamic scheme to better manage collaborative workflows is urgent In this paper, we will study how to develop a flexible and scalable framework to dynamically and coherently configure workflows that can meet order requirements based on multi-agent systems (MAS) Configuring and scheduling collaborative workflows is a challenging problem due to the computational complexity involved, distributed architecture and dependency among different partners’ workflows To achieve flexibility and reduce the cost and time involved in configuration of a supply chain network, we propose an approach that combines MAS, contract net protocol, workflow models and automated transformation of the workflow models to dynamically formulate the scheduling problem To attain scalability, we develop a solution algorithm to solve the optimization problem by a collaborative and distributed computation scheme We implement a software system based on industrial standards, including FIPA and the Petri net workflow specification model In addition, we also illustrate effectiveness and analyze scalability of our approach by examples Our approach facilitates collaboration between partners and provides a scalable solution for the increasing size of supply chain networks
12 citations
TL;DR: The proposed method is investigated for a case study, by doing simulation experiments with the system coloured Petri net model, and the results are analysed for the cases when the new command received during execution is more or less important than the ongoing ones.
12 citations
TL;DR: An agent-based generic evaluation model for the joint planning of resources by examining the multi-echelon inventory system with the operation management of multi-component equipment and results indicate that the approach can well support the joint Planning of maintenance resources.
10 citations
26 Aug 2019
TL;DR: The Contract Net Protocol, the English auction and the Dutch auction negotiation strategies were implemented in an agent-based smart parking system using the JADE framework, and a comparative analysis was performed to decide which approach better fits with the smart parking problem.
Abstract: A smart city uses emergent technologies for improving the services that will contribute to make the citizens’ daily life more comfortable and convenient. Among several strand offered by a smart city, the smart parking systems focus the transportation and parking of vehicles problems, providing intelligent solutions based on ICT technologies, and particularly artificial intelligence techniques. In this context, a cyber-physical system, based on multi-agent systems, was developed for an intelligent parking system for car and bicycles. This multi-agent based system consists of a community of distributed, intelligent and autonomous agents, representing the parking spots and drivers, which cooperate to reach their objectives. In such systems, the global system behaviour emerges from the interaction between these individual entities, being crucial the adoption of the proper cooperation protocols. This paper studies and compares possible approaches to solve consensus problems in such distributed smart parking systems, and particularly addressing the negotiation strategies. For this purpose, the Contract Net Protocol, the English auction and the Dutch auction negotiation strategies were implemented in an agent-based smart parking system using the JADE framework. The experimental results allowed to perform a comparative analysis, considering the satisfaction levels of the actors, the scalability and the negotiation time to decide which approach better fits with the smart parking problem.
9 citations
08 May 2019
TL;DR: A combination of cooperative particle swarm optimization algorithm, coordination variables, and coordination functions is proposed for multi-UAV path planning and results show that the proposed algorithm improves the average performance by at least $8%$ with simultaneous arrival using the path planning method.
Abstract: In this study, we address a coupled task allocation and path planning problem for a multi-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reconnaissance/attack. Both coupled task allocation and path planning problem are addressed. We propose a task allocation algorithm for maximizing system utility and a path planning algorithm for simultaneous arrival. Moreover, we consider the targets resource requirement and UAVs resource constraints based on a contract net protocol for task allocation. Benefits of destroying the target and costs of UAV attacking target are considered in the objective function. To address the multi-UAV path planning problem, a combination of cooperative particle swarm optimization algorithm, coordination variables, and coordination functions is proposed. UAVs kinematics constraint is considered for the path planning method. Compared with a polynomial time coalition formation algorithm (PTCFA), simulation results show that the proposed algorithm improves the average performance by at least $8%$ with simultaneous arrival using the path planning method.
8 citations
TL;DR: This work presents a negotiation environment based on a reversed contract net protocol to enable a monetary comparability of both order types and aims to realize a better integration of condition based maintenance orders into the reactive machine allocation decision-making of ACMs.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: A blockchain based TES that enables distributed peers (known as agents), to receive incentives for providing grid operation services in the form of voltage regulation, which is a critical operational service is proposed.
Abstract: Transactive Energy Systems (TES) are modern electric power systems that enable decentralized owners of power generation assets to engage in energy transactions and provide computing services that improve the performance of power system operation. Blockchain technology is a key enabler of TES, allowing peers to engage in trustless, persistent transactions that are both enforceable and auditable. However, previous work within this context has not adequately explored fraudulent service transactions amongst peers, and its potential negative impact on power system operation. To that end, this paper proposes a blockchain based TES that enables distributed peers (known as agents), to receive incentives for providing grid operation services in the form of voltage regulation, which is a critical operational service. The proposed system i) maintains a trustless reputation rating for each agent that is increased proportionately with each transaction that improves grid operation, ii) utilizes smart contracts to enforce the validity of each transaction and penalizes reputation ratings in case of a fraudulent transaction, iii) automates the negotiation and bidding of agent services by implementing the contract net protocol (CNP) as a smart contract. Experimental results on both simulated and real-world power systems are executed to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed system.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a blockchain-based TES that enables agents to receive incentives for providing voltage regulation services by maintaining an auditable reputation rating for each agent that is increased proportionately with each mitigation of a voltage violation, utilizing smart contracts to enforce the validity of each transaction and penalize reputation ratings in case of a mitigation failure.
Abstract: Transactive Energy Systems (TES) are modern mechanisms in electric power systems that allow disparate control agents to utilize distributed generation units (DGs) to engage in energy transactions and provide ancillary services to the grid. Although voltage regulation is a crucial ancillary service within active distribution networks (ADNs), previous work has not adequately explored how this service can be offered in terms of its incentivization, contract auditability and enforcement. Blockchain technology shows promise in being a key enabler of TES, allowing agents to engage in trustless, persistent transactions that are both enforceable and auditable. To that end, this paper proposes a blockchain based TES that enables agents to receive incentives for providing voltage regulation services by i) maintaining an auditable reputation rating for each agent that is increased proportionately with each mitigation of a voltage violation, ii) utilizing smart contracts to enforce the validity of each transaction and penalize reputation ratings in case of a mitigation failure and iii) automating the negotiation and bidding of agent services by implementing the contract net protocol (CNP) as a smart contract. Experimental results on both simulated and real-world ADNs are executed to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed system.
08 Jul 2019
TL;DR: In this article, a SaaS contract is defined as the formalization of an agreement, the terms of which are applied based on a transaction protocol, specifying not only the service and its quality, but also any changes in the conditions of the contract during performance.
Abstract: A SaaS contract is the formalization of an agreement, the terms of which are applied based on a transaction protocol. These contracts specify not only the service and its quality, but also any changes in the conditions of the contract during performance. Although, contracts, built automatically, offer great flexibility. So, it is much more difficult to analyze their compatibility and conclude agreements with this dynamism, due to the freedom of customers and suppliers to formulate their needs/offers.
01 Sep 2019
TL;DR: In this article, an onboard intelligent mission planning for on-orbit servicing (OOS) mission is studied, where each SSc is supposed as an autonomy or agent They could perform planning onboard, communicate, and negotiate with other SScs.
Abstract: In On-orbit servicing (OOS) mission planning problem, mission sequences and orbital rendezvous trajectories for servicing spacecraft (SSc) servicing multiple targets would be optimized, aiming at reducing the mission cost, the time duration, or some other merits The onboard intelligent mission planning for OOS mission is studied in this paper Each SSc is supposed as an autonomy or agent They could perform planning onboard, communicate, and negotiate with other SScs A multi-agent system (MAS) model is firstly introduced And then, based on the MAS model, an intelligent planning method based on contract net protocol (IPCNP) is developed Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of IPCNP