Title: Framework for model-based design of multi-agent systems

Authors: Frantisek Zboril Jr., Vladimir Janousek, Radek Koci, Frantisek Zboril, Zdenek Mazal

Addresses: Department of Intelligent Systems, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. ' Department of Intelligent Systems, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. ' Department of Intelligent Systems, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. ' Department of Intelligent Systems, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. ' Department of Intelligent Systems, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic

Abstract: When developing a Multi-Agent System (MAS), we need, among others, to build agent architectures together with some decision algorithms and communication protocols. Before such systems are realised in a real world, we should sufficiently test and verify their behaviour. The presented text describes a new approach to building artificial agents and MASs using the methodology of model-based design. In this methodology some models are used for testing the behaviour of particular elements as well as for testing the behaviour of the system as a whole – in both cases by simulation. Our aim is to develop a tool that would allow model-based design of systems with artificial agents. For this reason we have been building an application called Tool for Multi-Agent System Simulation (T-Mass) which is aimed at model-based development. As a part of the tool we also developed a language called Agent Low-Level Language (ALLL), by which agents| behaviour is controlled.

Keywords: system modelling; agent-based systems; model-based design; programming languages; multi-agent systems; MAS; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAC.2009.024746

International Journal of Autonomic Computing, 2009 Vol.1 No.2, pp.140 - 162

Published online: 30 Apr 2009 *

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