Unifying distributed constraint algorithms in a BDI negotiation framework

This paper presents a novel, unified distributed constraint satisfaction framework based on automated negotiation. The Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problem (DCSP) is one that entails several agents to search for an agreement, which is a consistent combination of actions that satisfies their mutual constraints in a shared environment. By anchoring the DCSP search on automated negotiation, we show that several well-known DCSP algorithms are actually mechanisms that can reach agreements through a common Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) protocol, but using different strategies. A major motivation for this BDI framework is that it not only provides a conceptually clearer understanding of existing DCSP algorithms from an agent model perspective, but also opens up the opportunities to extend and develop new strategies for DCSP. To this end, a new strategy called Unsolicited Mutual Advice (UMA) is proposed. Performance evaluation shows that the UMA strategy can outperform some existing...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: ATAL
• Authors: Bao Chau Le Dinh, Kiam Tian Seow
• Keywords: ATAL 2007, Constraint Satisfaction, Constraint Satisfaction Framework, Constraint Satisfaction Problem