| Abstract: | This paper describes a hierarchical distributed control (HDC) model for coordinating cooperative problem-solving among intelligent systems. The model was implemented using SOCIALTM, an innovative object-oriented tool for integrating heterogeneous, distributed software systems. SOCIAL embeds applications in “wrapper” objects called Agents, which supply predefined capabilities for distributed communication, control, data specification and translation. The HDC model is realized in SOCIAL as a “Manager” Agent that coordinates interactions among application Agents. The HDC-Manager indexes the capabilities of application Agents; routes request messages to suitable server Agents; and stores results in a commonly accessible “bulletin board.” This centralized control model is illustrated in a fault-diagnosis application for launch operations support of the Space Shuttle fleet at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. |
