Abstract
Multi-agent algorithms inspired by the division of labour in social insects and by markets, are applied to a constrained problem of distributed task allocation. The efficiency (average number of tasks performed), the flexibility (ability to react to changes in the environment), and the sensitivity to load (ability to cope with differing demands) are investigated in both static and dynamic environments. A hybrid algorithm combining both approaches, is shown to exhibit improved efficiency and robustness. We employ nature inspired particle swarm optimisation to obtain optimised parameters for all algorithms in a range of representative environments. Although results are obtained for large population sizes to avoid finite size effects, the influence of population size on the performance is also analysed. From a theoretical point of view, we analyse the causes of efficiency loss, derive theoretical upper bounds for the efficiency, and compare these with the experimental results.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 66–80 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Information Sciences |
| Volume | 222 |
| Early online date | 11 Jun 2011 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Feb 2013 |
Bibliographical note
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Information sciences. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Goldingay, H & Van Mourik, J. 'The effect of load on agent-based algorithms for distributed task allocation' Information sciences, vol 222 (2013) DOI 10.1016/j.ins.2011.06.011Keywords
- adaptive systems
- algorithms
- distributed decision-making
- response thresholds