An Evaluation Method for Agent Coalition Based on D-S Evidence Theory
SU Zhao-Pin, JIANG Jian-Guo, XIA Na, ZHANG Guo-Fu
School of Computer and Information, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009 Engineering Research Center of Safety Critical Industrial Measurement and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009
Abstract Agent coalition is an important cooperative manner in multi-agent system. Its performance counts for much in task accomplishment. However, the existing methods have a lack of performance evaluation on agent coalition after coalition formation. In this paper, D-S evidence theory is adopted to make uncertain and incomplete evaluation on agent coalition according to agent ability, harmonious performance, communication cost, familiarity and continuable expansibility. A two-layered evaluation method on agent coalition is proposed, and its evaluation accords with process of human thinking and judgement. The agility, validity and rationality of the method have been illustrated by the example.
[1] Xia Na, Jiang Jianguo, Wei Xing, et al. Searching for Agent Coalition for Single Task Using Improved Ant Colony Algorithm. Journal of Computer Research and Development, 2005, 42(5): 734-739 (in Chinese) (夏 娜,蒋建国,魏 星,等.改进型蚁群算法求解单任务Agent联盟.计算机研究与发展, 2005, 42(5): 734-739) [2] Sandholm T W, Lesser V R. Coalition among Computationally Bounded Agents. Artificial Intelligence, 1997, 94(1): 99-137 [3] Hu Shanli, Shi Chunyi. An Anytime Coalition Structure Generation Algorithm. Journal of Software, 2001, 12(5): 729-734 (in Chinese) (胡山立,石纯一. 一种任一时间联盟结构生成算法.软件学报, 2001, 12(5): 729-734) [4] Xu Jinhui, Zhang Wei, Shi Chunyi, et al. A Structure-Oriented Mechanism of Agent Organization Formation and Evolution. Journal of Computer Research and Development, 2001, 38(8): 897-903 (in Chinese) (徐晋晖,张 伟,石纯一,等.面向结构的Agent组织形成和演化机制.计算机研究与发展, 2001, 38(8): 897-903) [5] Shehory O, Kraus S. Method for Task Allocation via Agent Coalition Formation. Artificial Intelligence, 1998, 101(1/2): 165-200 [6] Luo Zhenghu. Research on Several Key Problems in Mobile Agent System. Ph.D Dissertation. Hefei, China: Hefei University of Technology. School of Computer and Information, 2002 (in Chinese) (骆正虎.移动Agent系统若干关键技术问题研究.博士学位论文.合肥:合肥工业大学.计算机与信息学院, 2002) [7] Yager R R. Uncertainty Representation Using Fuzzy Measures. IEEE Trans on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 2002, 32(1): 13-20 [8] Yager R R. Fuzzy Modeling for Intelligent Decision Making under Uncertainty. IEEE Trans on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 2000, 30(1): 60-70 [9] He Bing, Hao Aimin, Zhao Qinping. A Decision Making Method Based on Uncertain Information. Chinese Journal of Computer, 2004, 27(2): 281-285 (in Chinese) (何 兵,郝爱民,赵沁平. 一种基于不确定信息的决策方法. 计算机学报, 2004, 27(2): 281-285) [10] Lü Wenhong, Wu Qizong, Guo Yinjing. The Expertise Aggregation Method in Group Decision Making Based on the D-S Evidence Theory. Operations Research and Management Science, 2005, 14(2): 10-13,25 (in Chinese) (吕文红,吴祁宗,郭银景.基于D-S证据理论的群决策专家意见集结方法.运筹与管理, 2005, 14(2): 10-13,25) [11] Yang Haifeng, Hou Chaozhen. Analysis and Improvement on the Formula of Combination of Evidence Theory. Computer Engineering, 2005, 31(7): 21-23 (in Chinese) (杨海峰,侯朝桢.证据理论组合公式的分析与改进.计算机工程, 2005, 31(7): 21-23) [12] Du Feng, Shi Wenkang, Deng Yong. Feature Extraction of Evidence and Application in Modification of Evidence Theory. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2004, 38(Z1): 164-168 (in Chinese) (杜 峰,施文康,邓 勇.证据特征提取及其在证据理论改进中的应用.上海交通大学学报, 2004, 38(Z1): 164-168)
2007, Vol. 20 
