Multi-agent Based Integration of Scheduling Algorithms

Multi-agent Based Integration of Scheduling Algorithms

  注意：本文已在Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference-Intelligent
Systems and Control,2001.11:55-59 发表，
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Dr. Bo Zhao,  Prof. Dr. Yushun Fan

Department of Automation, Tsinghua University

Tsinghua Yuan, Beijing 100084   P. R. China ABSTRACT: Up to date more and more research of scheduling use Multi-agent System (MAS) technique. In this paper MAS is used to realize integration of scheduling algorithms. Firstly, Multi-agent Scheduling System (MASS) is divided into two types: Entity-type MASS and Process-type MASS. Some of the researches are introduced. Secondly, the concept of integration of scheduling algorithms is put forward. Thirdly, the models of agents, computing agent and manager, are proposed. Then a Process-type MASS of multi-agent based integration of scheduling algorithms, which compose above two sorts of agents, is built. Finally, we conclude by describing the significance of our research and highlighting future extensions.
KEY WORDS: Scheduling, Multi-agent System, Integration of Scheduling Algorithms, Multi-agent Scheduling System

 1. Introduction

 Algorithm is the key for the scheduling theory. The principle of scheduling is to find an optimal scenario of job allocation or resource distribution with scheduling algorithms. In the past decades many algorithms originated from other fields have been used in scheduling research and therefore formed the so-called scheduling algorithms. These works have enriched scheduling theory. However, any single algorithm that people have used so far are only applicable to a few special environments and can not adapt to dynamic production environment. This makes scheduling algorithms have not exerted all of their power in practical production. It is often the case that the plan formulated by scheduling algorithms is disabled because of some disturbance such as machine failure, unexpected jobs coming into workshop, material shortage. The inconsistency of scheduling theory with the scheduling practice has remained a big issue in manufacturing. 

To solve the problems one may think of two solutions:

 1)     Finding an all-purpose scheduling algorithm that is applicable to almost all sorts of scheduling cases.

 2)     Finding a mechanism by which appropriate algorithms of scheduling algorithms library can be called dynamically and integrated rapidly to respond to the change of production environment.

 Unfortunately there is no one-fits-all algorithm that meets the requirement of solution 1. The promising and recommendable approach would be the latter. The purpose of this paper is to find such a mechanism named Integration of Scheduling Algorithms (ISA) and use MAS technique to realize it.

 MAS (Multi-agent System) tec

hnique, which is a branch of distribute artificial intelligence, has been regarded as one of the most promising approaches to solve scheduling problems under dynamic environments and has attracted a lot of attention recently. In this paper, the MAS technique is used to realize dynamic integration of scheduling algorithm. And the solution will ensure either theoretical efficie

《Multi-agent Based Integration of Scheduling Algorithms》