A Proactive Perception Model in Agent-Based Software Integration and Evolution.

Introducing agent techniques into system integration and software evolution can solve the flexible and dynamic problems in the process of system integration. A Capability-Centered Proactive Perception Agent Model (CCPPA) is introduced in this paper. At first agent capability is defined, based on which two proactive perception behaviors are designed in CCPPA. One is active perceiving capability behavior and the other is active perceiving tender behavior. These two behaviors give a good support to agent collaboration under acquaintance protocol or contract net protocol. An improved Contract Net Protocol based on Agent Active Perception tender (CNPAAP) introduced offers a good support of dynamical agent cooperation. Moreover, an Acquaintance Protocol based on Agent Active Perception capability (APAAP) is proposed for the stable cooperation among agents. Finally, CCPPA is applied in the Agent-based System Integration Tool, and has been tested in the Border and Coast Defense Simulation System. The result proves that CNPAAP not only solves the dynamic problem in system integration, but also improves the task completion efficiency when task number increases. As APAAP is comparatively more efficient than CNPAAP, it can be used where stable cooperation is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]