A requirement modelling framework for real-time multi-agent systems

Ashamalla, Amir Nabil Naoum

A requirement modelling framework for real-time multi-agent systems

Ashamalla, Amir Nabil Naoum

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2017

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ashamalla, Amir Nabil Naoum
dc.date.accessioned	2017-06-02T05:11:29Z
dc.date.available	2017-06-02T05:11:29Z
dc.date.issued	2017
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/102158
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.	en_AU
dc.description.abstract	Real-time constraints are a subset of abstract temporal constraints, which are a class of constraints that are often placed on real world tasks during a problem-solving activity. Violating temporal constraints can produce consequences of unknown severity. Real-time constraints research is extremely useful in environments that require a high degree of availability and reliability, which are the main characteristics of real-time multi-agent systems (RTMAS). Domains currently using RTMAS include, but are not limited to, rescue systems, scheduling applications, electricity, infrastructure systems, flight control systems, marine systems, automotive systems. This thesis synthesises a framework to support RTMAS requirements analysis to enhance system design identifying real-time and fault tolerance requirements in the early phase of the software development life cycle. The framework consists of a sufficient set of constraints and an associated process to identify and apply the modelling units. The analysts identify the applicable modelling units during the system analysis phase of the sought RTMAS. A design science approach was applied to construct the framework systematically. The framework was validated incrementally as it was constructed using a call centre case study, a meeting scheduling application and an iPhone scheduling application. These case studies have illustrated that the early identification of the real-time constraints and their even distribution among different agent, significantly reduce the chance of an agent failing. These also enhance the system stability and redundancy by providing an extra level of fault tolerance at the agent and task level, as well as at the overall system level.	en_AU
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_AU	en_AU
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/102158/2/02whole.pdf
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/ppc
dc.subject	Real-time multi-agent systems (RTMAS)	en
dc.subject	Real-time constraints research.	en
dc.subject	Real-time and fault tolerance requirements.	en
dc.subject	Early identification of the real-time constraints.	en
dc.title	A requirement modelling framework for real-time multi-agent systems	en_AU
dc.type	Thesis	en_AU
utslib.copyright.status	open_access

Abstract:

Real-time constraints are a subset of abstract temporal constraints, which are a class of constraints that are often placed on real world tasks during a problem-solving activity. Violating temporal constraints can produce consequences of unknown severity. Real-time constraints research is extremely useful in environments that require a high degree of availability and reliability, which are the main characteristics of real-time multi-agent systems (RTMAS). Domains currently using RTMAS include, but are not limited to, rescue systems, scheduling applications, electricity, infrastructure systems, flight control systems, marine systems, automotive systems. This thesis synthesises a framework to support RTMAS requirements analysis to enhance system design identifying real-time and fault tolerance requirements in the early phase of the software development life cycle. The framework consists of a sufficient set of constraints and an associated process to identify and apply the modelling units. The analysts identify the applicable modelling units during the system analysis phase of the sought RTMAS. A design science approach was applied to construct the framework systematically. The framework was validated incrementally as it was constructed using a call centre case study, a meeting scheduling application and an iPhone scheduling application. These case studies have illustrated that the early identification of the real-time constraints and their even distribution among different agent, significantly reduce the chance of an agent failing. These also enhance the system stability and redundancy by providing an extra level of fault tolerance at the agent and task level, as well as at the overall system level.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/102158