%0 Journal Article
%T Functional Integrity of Some Class of Multi-Agent Systems
%A Krzysztof Cetnarowicz
%J Computer Science
%D 1999
%I AGH University of Science and Technology Press
%X Multi-agent systems have many advantages and give numerous new possibilities in creation of information systems. However many problems related to functioning of the systems are still unsolved. Functional integrity of multi-agents systems belongs to such problems. Functional integrity of multi-agent systems may be defined in general as preservation of basic functions of the system during its functioning. Functional integrity may be analyzed from the point of view of different functions of the system (the functions that should be preserved) and also from the point of view of various factors that may influence the loss or preservation of functional integrity of the system. The paper deals with examination of functional integrity of multi-agent system depending upon number of agents (global and of particular types). During system work, agents generate agents of the same or different type that depend on their possibilities and system needs. The process performed without use of appropriate control mechanisms may lead to excessive (blocking of the system) or too little number of agents and even lack of agents (disappearance of the functions of a system that are performed by agents of a certain type). A proposal of functional integrity phenomenon analysis of multi-agent systems that is related to the number of agents in their population and a proposal of mechanisms that enable maintenance of functional integrity, in particular a concept of the so-called ``free agents'' have been presented in the paper. Consideration has been carried out on the basis of simulation examination of some class of multi-agent systems. Results of simulation of proposed solutions have been included in the work.
%K Multi-agent systems
%U http://www.csci.agh.edu.pl/10/1/cs1999%2D01.pdf