Multi-agent based information access services for condition monitoring in process automation

Abstract

This paper studies issues concerning the application of goal-oriented information agents to condition monitoring tasks in process automation. In the presented approach, an agent-based information access layer is operating as a mediator for various types of process-related information. The agent system may be seen as an active partner for human users in this information intensive application domain. In the future, more and more automation related information will be available in electronic form. Physical sensors provide not only measurements but also reliability information, and numerous configuration details are available in electronic form. The challenge is to integrate as much of the available information as possible, and to automate the processing of this information to enable easy decision-making for end users.

A Multiagent Architecture Based in aFoundation Fieldbus Network Function Blocks

“…The application area of multiagent systems includes power supply systems, manufacturing systems, building automation and mobile applications (Jennings & Bussmann, 2002). The agent functionality comprises monitoring and diagnosis (e.g., Taylor & Sayda, 2003;Albert et al, 2003;Pirttioja et al, 2005), control, scheduling, modelling and simulation of these applications. The agents primarily operate on management level (Schoop et al, 2002) and use web-based technologies like web services and OSGi (Fei-Yue et al, 2005).…”

Visualization of an agent-based batch process system

“…A fault-tolerant multi-agent approach has been successfully used by Maturana et al to control a chilled water system (CWS) thereby reducing the required manning level and improving the readiness and survivability of U.S. Navy shipboard systems [7]. MAS have been applied by Pirttioja et al for advanced process automation condition monitoring [8] and by Seng and Srinivasan for detecting and diagnosing faults [9].…”

Multiagent Robotic Collaborative Framework

“…Today, multiagent industrial applications range from resource scheduling (Pirttioja, 2005) to applications of selforganizing assembly systems (Frei et al, 2008). It has been proven that the multiagent control concept and its' architecture can provide a foundation for flexible, adaptive and semiautonomous industrial systems.…”