Multi-Agent System Service and Ontology Design Methods

This paper describes essential service and ontology design considerations for a multi-agent system. We will establish a context of basic information sharing and discovery for a combat search and rescue vignette. FIPA protocols and the OWL-S Task Model will be presented along with the associated work flow processes for our range of service options. A Protege-based ontology will convey our semantic structure and be used to drive the actual JADE-based demonstration. We will also recommend the necessary agency design requirements for effective MAS management of the work flow process. We will recommend initial ontologies for use across the entire OWL-S Task Model, as well as candidate examples of ontology mediation. We then summarize our findings and offer recommendations for MAS service and ontology design.