Decentralized Markets versus Central Control - A Comparative Study,

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) promise to offer solutions to problems where established, older paradigms fall short. In order to validate such claims that are repeatedly made in software agent publications, empirical in-depth studies of advantages and weaknesses of multi-agent solutions versus conventional ones in practical applications are needed. Climate control in large buildings is one application area where multi-agent systems, and marketoriented programming in particular, have been reported to be very successful, although central control solutions are still the standard practice. We have therefore constructed and implemented a variety of market designs for this problem, as well as different standard control engineering solutions. This article gives a detailed analysis and comparison, so as to learn about differences between standard versus agent approaches, and yielding new insights about benefits and limitations of computational markets. An important outcome is that "local in..

Decentralized Markets versus Central Control: A Comparative Study

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) promise to offer solutions to problems where established, older paradigms fall short. In order to validate such claims that are repeatedly made in software agent publications, empirical in-depth studies of advantages and weaknesses of multi-agent solutions versus conventional ones in practical applications are needed. Climate control in large buildings is one application area where multi-agent systems, and market-oriented programming in particular, have been reported to be very successful, although central control solutions are still the standard practice. We have therefore constructed and implemented a variety of market designs for this problem, as well as different standard control engineering solutions. This article gives a detailed analysis and comparison, so as to learn about differences between standard versus agent approaches, and yielding new insights about benefits and limitations of computational markets. An important outcome is that "local information plus market communication produces global control"

Visual Execution Analysis for Multiagent Systems

Multiagent systems have become increasingly important in developing complex software systems. Multiagent systems introduce collective intelligence and provide benefits such as flexibility, scalability, decentralization, and increased reliability. A software agent is a high-level software abstraction that is capable of performing given tasks in an environment without human intervention. Although multiagent systems provide a convenient and powerful way to organize complex software systems, developing such system is very complicated. To help manage this complexity this research develops a methodology and technique for analyzing, monitoring and troubleshooting multiagent systems execution. This is accomplished by visualizing a multiagent system at multiple levels of abstraction to capture the relationships and dependencies among the agents

Making a Case for Multi-Agent Systems

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) promise to offer solutions to problems were established, older paradigms fall short. To be able to keep promises, however, in-depth studies of advantages and weaknesses of MAS solutions versus conventional ones in practical applications are needed. In this paper we offer one such study. Climate control in large buildings is one application area where MAS, and market-oriented programming in particular, have been reported to be very successful. We have therefore constructed and implemented a variety of market designs for this problem, as well as different standard control engineering solutions. This paper gives a detailed analysis and comparison, so as to learn about differences between standard versus MAS approaches, and yielding new insights about benefits and limitations of computational markets

Making a Case for Multi-Agent Systems

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) promise to offer solutions to problems where established, older paradigms fall short. To be able to keep promises, however, in-depth studies of advantages and weaknesses of MAS solutions versus conventional ones in practical applications are needed. In this paper we offer one such study. Climate control in large buildings is one application area where MAS, and market-oriented programming in particular, have been reported to be very successful. We have therefore constructed and implemented a variety of market designs for this problem, as well as different standard control engineering solutions. This paper gives a detailed analysis and comparison, so as to learn about differences between standard versus MAS approaches, and yielding new insights about benefi ts and limitations of computational markets. 1 Introduction When new paradigms arise on the scientifi c horizon, they must prove their value in comparison and competition with existing, more established ones..