Cooperative multi-agent intelligent field terminals
Juichi Kosakaya, K. Yamaoka · 2001
We have developed a method for improving cooperation in complex systems that uses multi- agent (MA) intelligent field terminals (IFTs). The MA function evaluates the control conditions of the overall system and the conditions of the other IFTs. To shorten the turn- around time for data transfer among IFTs, the conflicts that occur when the data processed by different IFTs is inconsistent or irregular must be resolved autonomously. We thus incorporate a predictive agent in each IFT, and these agents cooperate to resolve the conflicts. Experimental results showed that this method not only provides adequate controls but also reduces the load on the network and the turn- around time when the number of IFTs is less than 30.