Protocol Moderators as Active Middle-Agents in Multi-Agent Systems |
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Authors: | Chihab Hanachi Christophe Sibertin-Blanc |
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Affiliation: | (1) University Toulouse I/ IRIT, Place Anatole France, 31042 Toulouse Cedex, France |
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Abstract: | Interaction protocols are widely recognized as an essential mechanism for coordination within multi-agent systems. There is thus a need for coordination models for specifying, validating, and implementing protocols, possibly open and concurrent, efficiently and reliably. This paper proposes such a model, which considers protocols as resources and each conversation among agents following the rules of a protocol as a well-identified process. To this end, a new kind of middle-agent, called Moderator, is introduced. A Moderator is in charge of monitoring a conversation so that it progresses according to the protocol rules, and provides agents with services to ease their involvement in the conversation. This model fits the organization-centered view of multi-agent systems as it strictly distinguishes the agent-level and the organization-level concerns with regard to interaction. In addition, the paper shows that this model is supported by a High-Level Petri Net language that covers all the steps of protocol engineering: design, validation, implementation. This paper presents this Moderator Coordination Model along four related dimensions: a conceptual model of protocols, a MAS architecture, a suitable modeling formalism, and an associated development process. |
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Keywords: | protocol engineering coordination middle-agent High Level Petri Net multi-agent system |
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