Applicability of Multi-Agent Systems and Constrained Reasoning for Sensor-Based Distributed Scenarios: A Systematic Mapping Study on Dynamic DCOPs

Abstract

Context: At present, sensor-based systems are widely used to solve distributed problems in changing environments where sensors are controlled by intelligent agents. On Multi-Agent Systems, agents perceive their environment through such sensors, acting upon that environment through actuators in a continuous cycle. These problems have not always been addressed from an ad-hoc perspective, designed specifically for the circumstances of the problem at hand. Instead, they have been modelled under a common mathematical framework as distributed constrained optimisation problems (DCOP). Objective: The question to answer is how sensor-based scenarios have been modelled as DCOPs in changing environments known as Dynamic DCOP and what their trends, gaps, and progression are. Method: A systematic mapping study of Dynamic DCOPs has been conducted, considering the scattered literature and the lack of consensus in the terminology. Results: Given the high complexity of distributed constraint-based problems, priority is given to obtaining sub-optimal but fast responses with a low communication cost. Other trending aspects are the scalability and guaranteeing the solution over time. Conclusion: Despite some lacks in the analysis and experimentation in real-world scenarios, a large set that is applicable to changing sensor-based scenarios is evidenced, along with proposals that allow the integration of off-the-shell constraint-based algorithms.

Proactive Agent Behaviour in Dynamic Distributed Constraint Optimisation Problems

“…While most extant DCOP studies in MAS focus on agent properties such as reactivity, learning, social abilities, scalability, and stabilisation, proactive agent behaviour is the goal of several approaches [13][14][15][16]. In proactive methods, an agent is expected to be goal-driven and not only react to environmental changes.…”

An underpinning theory and approach to applicability testing of constructive computational mechanisms

“…Then incongruity between the development and application of CCMs negatively influences software and algorithms reusability and the efficiency/economy of development. Accordingly, investigation of the applicability of CCMs is a primary and central objective of validation efforts in system engineering, and an important issue for both academia and industry (Brazdil et al 1994;Barambones et al 2021).…”