Agents Petri Nets: Theory and Application
Adel Mahfoudhi
Sign up for access to the world's latest research
checkGet notified about relevant papers
checkSave papers to use in your research
checkJoin the discussion with peers
checkTrack your impact
Abstract
The domain of Petri Nets (PN) engineering has been the concern of many researchers. The present paper lies within this context aiming at the definition of a new formalism for the modelling at the multi agents systems (MAS), which is based on agents called Agents Petri Net (APN). That is why, the definitions that treat the internal state of the agent and its behavior are proposed. The suggested mathematical definitions help us to model the interactive systems in a rigorous manner and without any ambiguity. It is through simple examples that our approach is proven to be valid.
Related papers
A New Formalism for Modeling a Multi Agent Systems: Agent Petri Nets
Journal of Software Engineering and Applications, 2010
In this paper, we present a new formalism for Modeling Multi Agent Systems (MAS). Our model based a PN is able to describe not only not the internal state of each agent modeled but also its behavior. Owing to these features, one can model naturally the dynamic behavior of complex systems and the communication between these entities. For this, we propose mathematical definitions attached to firing transitions. To validate our contribution, we will deal with real examples.
Petri Net: A Tool for Modeling and Analyze Multi-agent Oriented Systems
International Journal of Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2012
Analysis and proper assessment of multiagent system properties are very much important. In this paper, we discussed about methodologies for modeling, analysis and design of multi-agent oriented system with the help of Petri net. A Multi-agent system can be considered as a discrete-event dynamic system and Petri nets are used as a modeling tool to assess the structural properties of the multi-agent system. Petri net provides an assessment of the interaction properties of the multiagent.
An Automatic Petri-net Generator for Modeling Multi-agent Systems (Master thesis)
2012
A multi-agent system can be studied as a concurrent, asynchronous, stochastic and distributed computer system. These characteristics of multi-agent systems make them also a discrete-event dynamic system; it is, therefore, important to analyze the behavior of such system to ensure that it terminates correctly and satisfies other important properties. Several analytical methodologies have been used to study multi-agent system, particularly Petri nets. Petri nets have a well-defined mathematical structure that can be leveraged to provide formal analysis on discrete-event systems. In this work, we propose an automatic transformation to model multi-agent systems using Colored Petri nets.
Interaction Protocols in Multi-Agent Systems based on Agent Petri Nets Model
International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 2013
this paper deals with the modeling of interaction between agents in Multi Agents System (MAS) based on Agent Petri Nets (APN). Our models are created based on communicating agents. Indeed, an agent initiating a conversation with other can specify the interaction protocol wishes to follow. The combination of APN and FIPA Protocols schemes leads to a set of deployment formal rules for points where model interaction can be successfully implemented. We introduce some models FIPA standard protocols.
Synchronized Petri Net: A Formal Specification Model for Multi Agent Systems
Journal of Software, 2013
This paper proposes a formal model for specifying multi agent systems, named SyPN (for Synchronized Petri Net). This model allows the specification of various kinds of agent-based systems' behaviors, such as individual and collective behaviors. SyPN is an extension of Recursive Petri net allowing synchronization of several nets. In fact, SyPN borrows the specification of dynamic processes from Recursive Petri net and introduces several valuable concepts that enable concise multi agent system specifications, such as: typed places, transitions and tokens, synchronization points, synchronization condition, synchronization relation and binding function. We illustrate our approach by two case studies of remote interactions between agents.
APN Model for Specification of the Communication Protocols in Multi-Agent System
Journal of Software Engineering and Applications, 2013
This paper deals with the proposal of a new model based on Agent Petri Nets (APN) to specify interactions among agents in Multi Agents System (MAS). Indeed, an agent approach requires a powerful and expressive formalism that allows him to model the behavior of a set of agents that interact. We are modeling some variants of FIPA standard protocols. Our Models are found based on communicating cognitive agents. Each Agent is capable of perceiving their environment partly and building, sending and receiving messages.
Modeling Communications of Mobile Software Agents Using Petri Nets
Abstract:-This paper presents a Petri net approach to modeling communications of mobile software agents in multiagent systems. Mobile agents are conceptualized in Petri net semantics by formalizing in terms of basic agent template. The proposed software agent components constitute the elements and building blocks of the distributed mobile agent systems. A basic agent template is formalized as an entity consisting of a set of actions, a set of rules, which govern the agent communications.
Automatic generating algorithm of rewriting logic specification for multi-agent system models based on Petri nets
Multiagent and Grid Systems, 2019
On one hand, Petri nets are widely used as a modeling formalism to assess both structural and behavioral properties of the multi-agent system bacause of their mathematical foundations and the rich underlying analysis tools has developed around them. On the other hand, Maude is a very powerful formal specification language based on rewriting logic that is known as a unifying framework for different types of Petri nets and offers a wide range of analysis techniques. In this paper, we will present a new algorithm allowing the automatic generation of Maude specifications from Petri nets models in order to help designers to effectively obtain the rewriting logic based specification of their multi-agent systems and then facilitate their analysis, pick up time and stay away from human related errors occurred during the manual preparation of such specification.
Specifying Knowledge in Cognitive Multiagent Systems Using a Class of Hierarchical Petri Nets
Journal of Software, 2012
Nowadays, problems demands new computational paradigms to solve them. New computational systems must consider features which before was not. Among these new features is the distributed nature of some systems. Nevertheless, even problems with a centralized nature has so high complexity that the best solution is to break them in small blocks. To deal with this problems, multiagent systems (SMA) and agents are seen as an excellent alternative as a framework to model, specify and codify solutions. However, there is not a standard framework to aid in building such systems. In this paper, it is proposed a framework based on a specific Petri Net to model, specify and codify the knowledge since the social level of the system until the agents reactive levels. This approach is based on a explicit separation between the knowledge level and the mechanisms which will manipulate it. The Petri net model proposed presents an implied specification language which permit to deal with any knowledge representation formalisms, since production rules, ontology or even database structures. Besides that, the Petri net proposed has tools to analyse and validate the system about issues like redundancy, deadlocks and conditions associated to agents tasks.
Performance Evaluation for the Design of Agent-based Systems: A Petri Net Approach
2000
Software design and implementation using mobile agents are nowadays involved in a scepticism halo. There are researchers who question its utility because it could be a new technology that does provide new skills but it could introduce new problems. Security and performance are the most critical aspects for this new kind of software. In this paper we present a formal approach to analyse performance for this class of systems. Our approach is integrated in the early stages of the software development process. In this way, it is possible to predict the behaviour without the necessity to carry out the complete implementation phase. To show the approach, we model a software retrieval service system in a pragmatic way, later, the corresponding formal model is obtained and analysed in order to study performance.
Related topics
Related papers
Structuration of large scale Petri nets: an association with higher level formalisms for the design of multi-agent systems
1996 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics. Information Intelligence and Systems (Cat. No.96CH35929)
Using nested Petri nets for modeling multiagent systems
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
The multi-agent simulation system is presented in the form of a two-level nested Petri net. The semantics of the interaction of agents is described. A GIS-oriented information system has been developed that implements the behavior algorithms of various classes of active agents. The system can be useful both for making decisions on dealing with emergencies and for training operational personnel. An example of a nested Petri network describing the processes of spreading and extinguishing of the wildfire is given.
Agent modelling with petri nets
2011
The Department of Information Science is one of six departments that make up the Division of Commerce at the University of Otago. The department offers courses of study leading to a major in Information Science within the BCom, BA and BSc degrees. In addition to undergraduate teaching, the department is also strongly involved in postgraduate programmes leading to the MBA, MCom and PhD degrees. Research projects in software engineering and software development, information engineering and database, artificial intelligence/expert systems, geographic information systems, advanced information systems management and data communications are particularly well supported at present.
A Multi-Agent Based Environment to Aid in the Design of Petri Nets Based Software Systems
1996
This paper explores the possibility of applying distributed arti cial intelligent systems and multi-agent systems to help in the design of engineering software systems. We de ne an environment consisted basically by arti cial designers that based on their knowledge, help a human designer to obtain the design of the software systems. The software design engineering problem we take as example is the design of the interlocking software for distributed track-vehicle controllers. The design of these modules are based on Petri nets, from which we can derive invariants that are used as the basis to characterize agent's knowledge in our design aid environment.
Towards a Meta-Modeling and Verification Approach of Multi-Agent Systems Based on the Agent Petri Net Formalism
International Journal of Information Technology and Computer Science
The Agent Petri Nets (APN) formalism provides a set of adapted and specific tools, relations and functions for modeling multi-agent systems (MAS). However, there is a lack of tools for verifying the APN models. In order to fill some of these gaps, we propose in this paper, a meta-modeling approach based on the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) permits to define a generic APN Meta-model in Ecore informal format. Its abstraction level is very high, it offers as a basis for developing system models dedicated to various specific domains. In addition, the Object Constraint Language (OCL) aims to increase the structural verification level of the model and the Graphical Modeling Framework (GMF), for its part, is concerned with generating a graphical editor associated with the APN meta-model. Thus, we combine the rigor of APN formalism with the power of the MDA-based metamodeling tools for verifying APN models.
Modelling of an interactive system with an agent-based architecture using Petri nets, application of the method to the supervision of a transport system
Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 2006
This article presents an original method using high level Petri nets for the specification and design of interactive systems. We suggest an agent oriented architecture based on the classic components of an interactive application (application, dialogue control, interface with the application). Our approach is validated via the specification and design of a human-machine interface used in the supervision of a land-based transport system (Bus/Tramway).
Formal specification of multi-agent systems: approach based on meta-models and high-level Petri nets - case study of a transportation system
IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 2002
A Conceptual Graph Petri Net Model based Multi Agent System
International Journal of Computer Applications, 2012
In this work, we propose a new formal tool called CGPN (Conceptual Graph Petri Nets) which is a combination of CG (Conceptual Graph) and CPN (Color Petri Net) to model collaborative behavior of agents in a MAS(Multi Agent System) to achieve some goals. The CG is used to represent knowledge and on the other side CPN is used to model the concurrent and dynamic aspects of a system. It is difficult to extract precise information from MAS which is dynamic in nature. Modeling MAS with CGPN will help in representing the knowledge and dynamic behavior together. Finally, the CGPN model for MAS is tested for deadlock freedom and reachability analysis to verify its correctness.
Methodology of Designing Multi-agent Robot Control Systems Utilising Hierarchical Petri Nets
2019 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2019
A robot system is designed as a set of embodied agents. An embodied agent is decomposed into cooperating subsystems. In our previous work activities of subsystems were defined by hierarchical finite state machines. With their states activities were associated. In that approach communication between subsystems was treated as an implementation issue. This paper represents activities of a robot system using hierarchical Petri nets with conditions. Such net is created by specifying consecutive layers: multi-agent robot system layer, agent layer, subsystem layer, behaviour layer and communication layer. This decomposition not only organizes in a systematic manner the development of a robot system, but also introduces a comprehensive description of concurrently acting subsystems. Based on those theoretical considerations, a tool was created for producing hierarchical Petri nets defining the model of a robotic system and enabling automatic generation of the robot controller code, resulting in a significant acceleration of the implementation phase. The capabilities of the tool are presented by the development of a robot controller performing a rudimentary task.
Loading Preview
Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.