Multi-Agent Systems Engineering: An Overview and Case Study

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the Multi-agent Systems Engineering (MaSE) methodology for analyzing and designing multi-agent systems. MaSE consists of two main phases that result in the creation of a set of complementary models that get successively closer to implementation. MaSE has been used to design systems ranging from a heterogeneous database integration system to a biologically based, computer virus-immune system to cooperative robotics systems. The authors also provide a case study of an actual system developed using MaSE in an effort to help demonstrate the practical aspects of developing systems using MaSE. Architecture (MDA) and Extended Markup Language (XML). The methodology is aimed at the creation of distributed socio-technical systems consisting of both humans and technical, including software, components that may, in turn, include software agents.