Recently, researchers have created many platforms and applications for mobile agents; however, current Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) methodologies have yet not fully integrated the unique properties of these mobile agents. This paper attempts to bridge the gap between current AOSE methodologies and mobile agent systems by incorporating mobility into the established Multiagent Systems Engineering (MaSE) methodology. We accomplished this by adding a move command to the MaSE analysis models and then defined the required transformations to incorporate the required functionality into the design. Finally, we translated the design models into Java-based agents that operate within a mobile agent environment.

Abstract. Multiagent systems have been touted as a way to meet the need for distributed software systems that must operate in dynamic and complex environments. However, in order for multiagent systems to be effective, they must be reliable and robust. Engineering multiagent systems is a non-trivial task, providing ample opportunity for even experts to make mistakes. Formal transformation systems can provide automated support for synthesizing multiagent systems, which can greatly improve their correctness and reliability. This paper describes a semi-automated transformation system that generates an agent's internal architecture from an analysis specification in the MaSE methodology.

Abstract. This paper analyzes the performance differences between static and mobile multiagent systems. To do so, we developed solutions to a distributed text search problem, each using a different approach to multiagent systems (static versus mobile) on an isolated test network. Changes were then made to the agent environment, various constraints applied, and the resulting effect on the systems measured. Each system was evaluated using a number of performance metrics to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the respective approach.

Recently, researchers have created many platforms and applications for mobile agents; however, current Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) methodologies have yet not fully integrated the unique properties of these mobile agents. This paper attempts to bridge the gap between current AOSE methodologies and mobile agent systems by incorporating mobility into the established Multiagent Systems Engineering (MaSE) methodology. We accomplished this by adding a move command to the MaSE analysis models and then defined the required transformations to incorporate the required functionality into the design. Finally, we translated the design models into Java-based agents that operate within a mobile agent environment.