基于多Agent的井下逃生仿真模型

利用基于多Agent的建模仿真方法对井下工作人员在遭遇瓦斯爆炸时如何逃生进行研究,采用基于Java的Eclipse开发平台和RePast建模仿真软件构建模型的运行平台,建立了基于多Agent的井下逃生仿真模型。模型仿真井下瓦斯爆炸时矿工的逃生过程。结果表明,利用这一模型能够较好地实现逃生仿真。     

Reactive multi-agent system for assembly cell control

This paper presents a multi-agent system for the control of manufacturing systems. The multi-agent system is designed to provide manufacturing control with three important characteristics: high robustness, quick response and good expandability. A prototype multi-agent-based control system has been developed for a flexible assembly cell as an example. The prototype multi-agent system contains several reactive agents. Each agent acts according to its built-in behaviours, and the behaviours are able to respond to stimuli from the manufacturing environment. A system architecture to implement the multi-agent-based control system is proposed and the coordination model of the reactive agents is developed. The generic agent structure is established for individual reactive agents, and the behaviours and the subsumption architecture of each agent are designed.     

A knowledge intensive multi-agent framework for cooperative/collaborative design modeling and decision support of assemblies

Multi-agent modeling has emerged as a promising discipline for dealing with decision making process in distributed information system applications. One of such applications is the modeling of distributed design or manufacturing processes which can link up various designs or manufacturing processes to form a virtual consortium on a global basis. This paper proposes a novel knowledge intensive multi-agent cooperative/collaborative framework for concurrent intelligent design and assembly planning, which integrates product design, design for assembly, assembly planning, assembly system design, and assembly simulation subjected to econo-technical evaluations. An AI protocol based method is proposed to facilitate the integration of intelligent agents for assembly design, planning, evaluation and simulation process. A unified class of knowledge intensive Petri nets is defined using the O-O knowledge-based Petri net approach and used as an AI protocol for handling both the integration and the negotiation problems among multi-agents. The detailed cooperative/collaborative mechanism and algorithms are given based on the knowledge objects cooperation formalisms. As such, the assembly-oriented design system can easily be implemented under the multi-agent-based knowledge-intensive Petri net framework with concurrent integration of multiple cooperative knowledge sources and software. Thus, product design and assembly planning can be carried out simultaneously and intelligently in an entirely computer-aided concurrent design and assembly planning system.     

Distributed Computation Multi-agent System

This article addresses a formal model of a distributed computation multi-agent system. This model has evolved from the experimental research on using multi-agent systems as a ground for developing fuzzy cognitive maps. The main paper contribution is a distributed computation multi-agent system definition and mathematical formalization based on automata theory. This mathematical formalization is tested by developing distributed computation multi-agent systems for fuzzy cognitive maps and artificial neural networks – two typical distributed computation systems. Fuzzy cognitive maps are distributed computation systems used for qualitative modeling and behavior simulation, while artificial neural networks are used for modeling and simulating complex systems by creating a non-linear statistical data model. An artificial neural network encapsulates in its structure data patterns that are hidden in the data used to create the network. Both of these systems are well suited for formal model testing. We have used evolutionary incremental development as an agent design method which has shown to be a good approach to develop multi-agent systems according to the formal model of a distributed computation multi-agent system.     

基于多Agent的供应链分布式仿真系统设计与实现

供应链作为复杂系统,使得其全局优化难以实现。针对供应链成员具有智能体特征的特点,提出了一个供应链多代理仿真模型。基于该模型设计了两类Agent和一个用于分布仿真的时间同步机制,并用JADE实现了供应链分布式仿真系统。半导体供应链仿真结果证实了系统的有效性。     

基于Multi-Agent网络化虚拟制造的开放式体系结构研究

结合Agent技术的优点,本文提出了一种基于Multi-Agent网络化虚拟制造体系开放式结构。定义了各Agent的功能,阐述Multi-Agent的属性,讨论利用Multi-Agent技术解决的关键问题,研究系统运行机制,描述了体系结构的特征。     

An agent-oriented approach to resolve scheduling optimization in intelligent manufacturing

Agent technology is considered as a promising approach for developing optimizing process plans in intelligent manufacturing. As a bridge between computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM), the computer aided scheduling optimization (CASO) plays an important role in the computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment. In order to develop a multi-agent-based scheduling system for intelligent manufacturing, it is necessary to build various functional agents for all the resources and an agent manager to improve the scheduling agility. Identifying the shortcomings of traditional scheduling algorithm in intelligent manufacturing, the architecture of intelligent manufacturing system based on multi-agent is put forward, among which agent represents the basic processing entity. Multi-agent-based scheduling is a new intelligent scheduling method based on the theories of multi-agent system (MAS) and distributed artificial intelligence (DAI). It views intelligent manufacturing as composed of a set of intelligent agents, who are responsible for one or more activities and interacting with other related agents in planning and executing their responsibilities. In this paper, the proposed architecture consists of various autonomous agents that are capable of communicating with each other and making decisions based on their knowledge. The architecture of intelligent manufacturing, the scheduling optimization algorithm, the negotiation processes and protocols among the agents are described in detail. A prototype system is built and validated in an illustrative example, which demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed approach. The experiments prove that the implementation of multi-agent technology in intelligent manufacturing system makes the operations much more flexible, economical and energy efficient.     

基于多Agent的定时事件序列控制技术研究

0 引言定时事件序列是MIS中一种以时间为过程控制基础的处理对象,它不仅具有以管理信息处理为主体的一般事务处理工作流的特点,而且具有基于定时标准的并发控制处理过程。随着AI领域Agent理论及其应用技术的深入研究,这种类人化控制技术在MIS系统的设计过程中越来越广泛地被采用,以适应生产工具自动化程度不断提高的生产过程管理要求。     

网络坦克作战系统仿真方法及模型研究

网络坦克作战系统是一个分布式复杂适应系统.对复杂系统仿真建模有诸多平台与方法,分布式交互仿真更能反映系统的真实特性.提出了网络坦克作战系统的基本体系结构,对其常用的两种仿真方法HLA方法和MAS方法进行了比较,并依据作战系统的特征选择MAS方法,提出了其概念模型,设计了基于Swarm平台的仿真模型.     

Specifying distributed multi-agent systems in chemical reaction metaphor

This paper presents an application of Chemical Reaction Metaphor (CRM) in distributed multi-agent systems (MAS). The suitability of using CRM to model multi-agent systems is justified by CRM's capacity in specifying dynamic features of multi-agent systems. A case study in an agent-based e-learning system (course material updating) demonstrates how the CRM based language, Gamma, can be used to specify the architectures of multi-agent systems. The effectiveness of specifying multi-agent systems in CRM from the view point of software engineering is further justified by introducing a transformational method for implementing the specified multi-agent systems. A computation model with a tree-structured architecture is proposed to base the design of the specified multi-agent system during the implementation phase. A module language based on the computation model is introduced as an intermediate language to facilitate the translation of the specification of multi-agent systems. The multicast networking technology pragmatizes the implementation of communications and synchronization among distributed agents. The paper also discusses the feasibility of implementing an automatic translation from the Gamma specification to a program in the module language. This work is supported by University of Houston-Downtown Organized Research Committee.     

A novel approach for multi-agent-based Intelligent Manufacturing System

In the recent years, the competition of shortening the development cycle of new products is more and more fierce. Given the shortcomings of traditional scheduling algorithm in Intelligent Manufacturing, the architecture of multi-agent-based Intelligent Manufacturing System is put forward, which represents the basic processing entity. The architecture is based on the methodology of multi-agent systems (MAS) in distributed artificial intelligence (DAI). The multi-agent system has some common characteristics, such as distribution, autonomy, interaction and openness, which are helpful to transform the traditional architecture into a distributed and cooperative architecture in an Intelligent Manufacturing System. To develop a multi-agent-based scheduling system for Intelligent Manufacturing, it is necessary to build various functional agents for all the resources and an agent manager to improve the scheduling agility. In this paper, the proposed architecture consists of various autonomous agents that are capable of communicating with each other and making decisions based on their knowledge. The architecture of Intelligent Manufacturing, the scheduling optimization algorithm, the negotiation processes and protocols among the agents are described in detail. A prototype system is built and validated in an illustrative example, which demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed approach. The experiments prove that the implementation of multi-agent technology in Intelligent Manufacturing System makes the operations much more flexible, economical and energy-efficient.     

Queueing Theory for Semiconductor Manufacturing Systems: A Survey and Open Problems

This paper surveys applications of queueing theory for semiconductor manufacturing systems (SMSs). Due to sophisticated tool specifications and process flows in semiconductor manufacturing, queueing models can be very complicated. Research efforts have been on the improvement of model assumptions and model input, mainly in the first moment (averages) and the second moment (variations). However, practices show that implementation of classical queueing theory in semiconductor industry has been unsatisfactory. In this paper, open problems on queueing modeling of SMS are discussed. A potential solution is also proposed by relaxing the independent assumptions in the classical queueing theory. Cycle time reduction has constantly been a key focus of semiconductor manufacturing. Compared with simulation, queueing theory-based analytical modeling is much faster in estimating manufacturing system performance and providing more insights for performance improvement. Therefore, queueing modeling attracts generous semiconductor research grants. Unfortunately, existing queueing models focus on simple extensions of the classical queueing theory and fail to question its applicability to the complicated SMS. Hence, related researches have not been employed widely in the semiconductor industry. In this paper, we conduct a survey on the important works and also present some open problems. We also propose a novel solution by relaxing a key assumption in the classical queueing theory. We are currently funded by Intel to explore this potential solution, and we hope it can foster an interesting research field for the years to come.     

Modelling and simulation of complex manufacturing systems using statechart-based actors

This paper describes a multi-agent architecture based on the actors computational model, for the distributed simulation of discrete event systems whose entities have a complex dynamic behaviour. Complexity is dealt with by exploiting statechart-based actors which constitute the basic building blocks of a model. Actors are lightweight reactive autonomous agents that communicate to one another by asynchronous message passing. The thread-less character of actors saves memory space and fosters efficient execution. The behaviour of actors is specified through “distilled statecharts” that enable hierarchical and modular specifications. Distributed simulation is achieved by partitioning a system model among a set of logical processes (theatres). Timing management and inter-theatre communications rest in a case on the High Level Architecture services. The paper illustrates the practical application of the proposed modelling and simulation methodology by specifying and analysing a complex manufacturing system.     

可配置网络式软件系统的可用性预计研究

在复杂系统的建模与仿真研究的基础上,提出了一种基于多Agent的可配置网络式软件系统的可用性预计方法。首先介绍了多Agent系统建模与仿真方法;其次分析了可配置网络式软件系统的特点;然后在研究基于多Agent的网络式软件系统建模与仿真的基础上,研究可配置的行为模型,并建立了基于多Agent的可配置网络式软件 系统可用性仿真方法;最后利用Nctlog。仿真平台,结合实例对可配置的作用进行了可用性预计,并验证了本方法的有效性。     

A GENERIC TIME MANAGEMENT SERVICE FOR DISTRIBUTED MULTI-AGENT SYSTEMS

Multi-agent systems are well suited for building large software systems. A great deal of these complex systems includes process flows that are concerned with time or are even time-critical. The activities of these process flows are often executed in distributed autonomous subsystems that have to be synchronized with respect to the superordinated task execution. To be able to build such systems and test their behavior adequately, it is often advantageous and sometimes necessary to simulate them in the run-up to their practical use. Testing and simulation of process flows within multi-agent systems requires synchronization of the participating agents with respect to the global simulation time. In this paper, a design proposal and a service implementation for time management is presented, which takes care of the special requirements imposed by multi-agent settings. This so-called time service is implemented as an FIPA-compliant agent, and can be used to couple heterogeneous subsystems implemented on different agent platforms.     

Conservative distributed discrete-event simulation on the Amazon EC2 cloud: An evaluation of time synchronization protocol performance and cost efficiency

Distributed execution of simulation models comes into play when memory limitations of a single computational resource prohibit their execution. In addition, the potential for parallel execution of a model on a distributed platform through the integration of multiple computational cores, can potentially reduce the execution time of a simulation. However, such gains can be voided by the overhead that time synchronization protocols for parallel and distributed simulation induce. This overhead is determined by the protocol used, the characteristics of the simulation model, as well as the architectural and performance characteristics of the hardware platform used. Recently, Infrastructure-as-a-Service offerings in the cloud computing domain have introduced flexibility in acquiring access to virtualized hardware platforms on a pay-as-you-go basis. At present, it is however unclear to what extent these offerings are suited for the distributed execution of discrete-event simulations, and how the characteristics of different resource types impact the performance of distributed simulation under different time synchronization protocols. Likewise, it is unclear which type of resources are most cost-efficient for this type of workload. To our knowledge, this paper is the first to investigate these aspects through an assessment of the performance and cost efficiency of different conservative time synchronization protocols on a range of cloud resource types that are currently available on Amazon EC2. Our analysis shows that performance levels comparable to those realized on commodity hardware based-clusters are attainable, and that the relative performance of different synchronization protocols is retained on high-end IaaS resources. In terms of cost-efficiency, we find that IaaS products tailored to traditional cluster workloads do not necessarily constitute the optimal choice, and we assess the impact of different packing configurations for logical processes in this regard.     

Agent scheduling model for adaptive dynamic load balancing in agent-based distributed simulations

Agent-based distributed simulations are confronted with load imbalance problem, which significantly affects simulation performance. Dynamic load balancing can be effective in decreasing simulation execution time and improving simulation performance. The characteristics of multi-agent systems and time synchronization mechanisms make the traditional dynamic load balancing approaches not suitable for dynamic load balancing in agent-based distributed simulations. In this paper, an adaptive dynamic load balancing model in agent-based distributed simulations is proposed. Due to the complexity and huge time consuming for solving the model, a distributed approximate optimized scheduling algorithm with partial information (DAOSAPI) is proposed. It integrates the distributed mode, approximate optimization and agent set scheduling approach. Finally, experiments are conducted to verify the efficiency of the proposed algorithm and the simulation performance under dynamic agent scheduling. The experiments indicate that DAOSPI has the advantage of short execution time in large-scale agent scheduling, and the distributed simulation performance under this dynamic agent scheduling outperforms that under static random agent distribution.     

离散事件仿真及其在半导体生产线建模中的应用

详细阐述了离散事件仿真技术的原理及其关键技术,并将其应用于半导体生产线建模。在分析半导体生产线系统的仿真需求的基础上,以单进程为离散事件处理机制,对12个加工中心、40台机器组成的半导体生产线进行了建模研究,验证了半导体生产线仿真的正确性。     

Simulation of service-oriented and distributed manufacturing systems

In this paper modeling and simulation is discussed in the context of distributed manufacturing systems (DiMS). The DiMS concept aims towards efficient and innovative collaboration that integrates design and development activities of manufacturing systems. A DiMS, described formally as a digital manufacturing system, is a competent basis for the modeling and simulation of manufacturing systems. The activities of the simulation model are described on the basis of a service-oriented approach in which content of the services is completely known. Micro, meso, and macro manufacturing levels are applied to the modeling and simulation. By means of these levels the hierarchy of the communication of the services is illustrated. An example is described in which modeling and simulation is used to proceed from ideas to efficiently operated manufacturing systems.     

基于多企业Agent的动态联盟设计

在分布式网络化环境中,建立在异构多Agent体系结构基础上的动态企业联盟能满足网络经济时代快速多变的市场要求，代表企业未来发展方向。该文对建立在基于多Agent集成框架基础的动态联盟形成过程进行了研究，提出动态联盟控制模型，并对该控制结构体系的功能模块进行了设计和说明。