Quantitative convergence analysis of multi-agent systems

We introduce a characterization of contraction for bounded convex sets. For discrete-time multi-agent systems we provide an explicit upperbound on the rate of convergence to a consensus under the assumptions of contractiveness and (weak) connectedness (across an interval.) Convergence is shown to be exponential when either the system or the function characterizing the contraction is linear. Copyright © 2007 IFAC.

A framework for distributed intelligent automation systems developments

This chapter proposes a simple and pragmatic framework that has been developed for classifying and analyzing developments in distributed automation and information systems - especially those that have been labelled intelligent systems for different reasons. The framework dissects the different stages in the standard feedback process and assesses distribution in terms of the level of granularity of the organization that is being considered. The framework has been found to be useful in comparing and assessing different distributed industrial control paradigms and also for examining common features of different development projects - especially those that might be sourced from different sectors or domains. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.

Intelligent products in the supply chain - 10 Years on

Ten years ago the intelligent product model was introduced as a means of motivating a supply chain in which product or orders were central as opposed to the organizations that stored or delivered them. This notion of a physical product influencing its own movement through the supply chain was enabled by the evolution of low cost RFID systems which promised low cost connection between physical goods and networked information environments. In 2002 the notion of product intelligence was regarded as a useful but rather esoteric construct. However, in the intervening ten years there have been a number of technological advances coupled with an increasingly challenged business environment which make the prospects for intelligent product deployment seem more likely. This paper reviews a number of these developments and assesses their impact on the intelligent product approach. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.

Self-configuring intelligent control for short reach 100Gb/s optical packet routing

An advanced control architecture is proposed which recognizes and configures new connections, automatically performs calibration and initiates the routing of 100Gb/s data packets. The scheme is proposed for high capacity, low overhead, short reach networking. © 2005 Optical Society of America.

Soft robotics: The next generation of intelligent machines

There has been an increasing interest in applying biological principles to the design and control of robots. Unlike industrial robots that are programmed to execute a rather limited number of tasks, the new generation of bio-inspired robots is expected to display a wide range of behaviours in unpredictable environments, as well as to interact safely and smoothly with human co-workers. In this article, we put forward some of the properties that will characterize these new robots: soft materials, flexible and stretchable sensors, modular and efficient actuators, self-organization and distributed control. We introduce a number of design principles; in particular, we try to comprehend the novel design space that now includes soft materials and requires a completely different way of thinking about control. We also introduce a recent case study of developing a complex humanoid robot, discuss the lessons learned and speculate about future challenges and perspectives.

mobile agent system model based on servlet technology

A mobile agent system model based on the servlet technology is presented, the constitution and working process of the system are analyzed. The implementation of key parts of this model and the current development situation as well as the development trend of mobile agent technology are introduced. The mobile agent system model enhances its internal structure recognition and facilitates the system expansion and reformation. The remotely mobile agent control method by means of the protocol modification is presented.

一种基于Agent的自适应的分布式入侵检测系统

针对传统分布式入侵检测系统组件之间依赖程度大、系统不够健壮且入侵检测系统自身结构固定不能适应入侵的变化的问题,提出了一种基于Agent的自适应的分布式入侵检测系统(简称AAA-DIDS)·AAADIDS采用Agent概念重新构造系统的组件,改进了分布式入侵检测系统由于高层节点单一无冗余而产生的可靠性差的缺陷,从构造上克服了分布式入侵检测系统的脆弱性·同时,AAADIDS系统采用智能技术构建了自适应的入侵检测系统模型,增加了系统应对入侵行为变化的智能性·AAA-DIDS系统相对于传统的分布式入侵检测系统有效地提高了系统自身的可靠性和针对外界变化的适应能力·

一种用于软件过程建模的适应性Agent协商

大多软件过程模型是预定义的.在变化的应用环境中,需要由相应人员进行适应性调整.提出一种用于软件过程建模的适应性多边协商模型——AMNM-PA,其采用Agent封装软件过程中所涉及的个体,包含组织、团队、个人等,通过Agent间的协商动态、适应地建立针对给定软件项目的软件过程模型.AMNM-PA基于非静态有限阶段Markov决策过程,采用模型无关的Q学习算法选取协商策略,因此能够支持动态、非预知环境下的适应性协商,从而满足软件过程建模对环境的适应性需求.AMNM-PA已经实施于软件过程管理系统——SoftPM.

一种基于Agent的自适应软件过程模型

传统的软件过程模型大多是静态的、机械的、被动的,它们要求软件工程人员在描述软件过程时预期所有可能发生的情况,并且显式地定义这些问题的解决方案.当软件过程所处的环境发生变化时,软件过程无法自适应地对这些变更作出相应的调整.提出了一种基于Agent的自适应软件过程模型.在这种软件过程模型中,软件过程被描述为一组相互独立而对等的实体——软件过程Agent.这些软件过程Agent能够对软件过程环境的变化主动地、自治地作出反应,动态地确定和变更其行为以实现软件开发的目标.

一种基于移动Agent的复合Web服务容错模型

现有的Web服务容错侧重于通过扩展Web服务标准来提供容错能力.由于Web服务标准体系本身不断发展变化,并且标准之间的兼容性问题依然存在,使得这些研究成果的可实施性较弱.文章提出一种基于移动Agent的复合Web服务容错模型--MAFTM模型,从系统层次而非标准层次来解决复合Web服务的容错问题.首先说明基于移动Agent的工作流与复合Web服务的关系.在此基础上,给出MAFTM模型,包括故障类型、复制机制、"exactly once"语义和一致性算法,并证明MAFTM模型的正确性.

a flexible negotiation model for an agent-based software process modelling

Our Agent-based Software Process Modelling (ASPM) approach describes a software process as a set of cooperative agents. Negotiation is the way in which the agents construct their cooperative relations, and thus the software process. Currently, most negotiation models use a fixed negotiation protocol and fixed strategies. In order to achieve the flexibility that the negotiation of the agents in ASPM requires, we propose a negotiation model NM-PA. NM-PA mainly includes a generic negotiation protocol and some rules, which possibly change in different negotiation processes. By changing the rules, the model can support multi-protocols and multi-decision-making strategies at a lower cost.