Contract Net Protocol

About: Contract Net Protocol is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 606 publications have been published within this topic receiving 13729 citations.

Efficient agent interaction in automation networks: A simulation study

Abstract: Multiagent systems (MAS) have widely been recognized as a suitable technology to develop robust, fault tolerant and reconfigurable control systems. However, practical applications, especially on the real-time manufacturing control level are currently limited by the lack of a sufficiently efficient yet unified agent architecture. As agent communication is one of the decisive factors for the overall performance of a MAS, this paper suggests an improved approach to service discovery and inter-agent negotiation, using the well known Contract Net protocol as an example. The approach eliminates the need for a central Directory Facilitator, reduces network load and enables timely decision making. The results are backed by a simulation based performance study.

Collaboration strategy for software dynamic evolution of multi-agent system

Abstract: As the ability of a single agent is limited while information and resources in multi-agent systems are distributed, cooperation is necessary for agents to accomplish a complex task. In the open and changeable environment on the Internet, it is of great significance to research a system flexible and capable in dynamic evolution that can find a collaboration method for agents which can be used in dynamic evolution process. With such a method, agents accomplish tasks for an overall target and at the same time, the collaborative relationship of agents can be adjusted with the change of environment. A method of task decomposition and collaboration of agents by improved contract net protocol is introduced. Finally, analysis on the result of the experiments is performed to verify the improved contract net protocol can greatly increase the efficiency of communication and collaboration in multi-agent system.

Decision Support System for Precision Irrigation Using Interactive Maps and Multi-agent Concepts

Abstract: Agriculture is a fundamental pillar in the economy, sustainability and food security. To achive a correct and efficient management of crops, there are strategies, which use the integration of different technologies currently found in engineering, especially electronics and software, to develop methodologies based on measurement, decision support and action on crops. Precision agriculture (PA) is one of those techniques, and it is a strategy used to determine when, where and how to apply the inputs on crops. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are tools that can be used in PA for the information management of agricultural fields, where, interactive maps allow the characterization of crops, soils and to define prescriptions through Decision Support Systems (DSS). In this work, an useful tool to obtain soil moisture maps of agricultural fields and a water distribution model in USOCHICAMOCHA irrigation district located in Boyaca- Colombia, using a GIS and multi-agent concepts are shown. A negotiation strategy based on the Contract Net protocol is activated when there is a scarcity of water resources, defining priorities for the irrigation distribution in a more efficient manner.

Contract nets for evaluating agent trustworthiness

Abstract: In this paper we use a contract net protocol in order to compare various delegation strategies. We have implemented some different agents, having a set of tasks to delegate (or to perform by themselves); the tasks are performed by the agents in a dynamic environment, that can help or worse their activity. The agent rely upon different strategies in order to choose whom to delegate. We implemented three classes of trustiers: a random trustier (who randomly chooses the trustee whom delegate the task to); a statistical trustier (who builds the trustworthiness of other agents only on the basis of their previous performances); a cognitive trustier (who builds a sophisticated and cognitively motivated trust model of the trustee, taking into account its specific features, its ability and motivational disposition, and the impact of the environment on its performance). Our experiments show the advantage of using cognitive representations.

Reactive Power Optimization Based on Multi- agent System with Markov Game Theory

Abstract: This paper presents a distributed and reactive power optimization system based on Muti-Agent System framework. The various component and functions of monomer Agent are displayed in the optimization system. The collaboration and coordination between the Agent are achieved by information sharing through the communication. The dynamic contract net protocol which doped by three mental state performance parameters contains Agent, trust nodes, familiarity and integration introduced into the collaborative approach of Muti-Agent. The optimization process of lower voltage and reactive power are described based on the Dynamic contract net protocol under the smart grid environment. The Muti-Agent learning algorithm is proposed according to the influence of the chosen Q value based on Markov game framework. The Reactive Agentbased design optimization process, management system architecture design, simulation protocol design are illustrated combined with Agent combines technical features and smart distribution network reactive power compensation behavioral characteristics. Keywords-markov game;muti-agent; power systems ; reactive power optimization