Use of discrete event simulation to validate an agent based scheduling engine

This paper discusses the use of simulation in a new context. Most often QUEST is viewed as a stand-alone simulation tool to analyze and understand shop floor behavior. It has rarely been used in conjunction with other proprietary software. This paper attempts to demonstrate how QUEST is being used in conjunction with an agent based scheduling software (henceforth referred to as Scheduler) developed using Java. The Scheduler is a multithreaded application using software agents. It can run in a distributed manner over a LAN. This paper deals with the agent based architecture of the Scheduler as well as the important role of simulation in validating the Scheduler. 1 OVERVIEW Most factory scheduling systems seek the optimum schedule for an assumed stable configuration and cannot react rapidly to changes in resources. Moreover, most are not integrated into a unified system for task monitoring, scheduling, simulation, and execution. DELMIA Corp. proposes to improve on existing systems by va...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: WSC
• Authors: Shubhabrata Biswas, Sara Merchawi
• Keywords: Agent Based Scheduling, Modeling And Simulation, Software Agents, Task Scheduling, WSC 2000