Dynamic Distributed Resource Allocation: A Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Approach

In distributed resource allocation a set of agents must assign their resources to a set of tasks. This problem arises in many real-world domains such as distributed sensor networks, disaster rescue, hospital scheduling and others. Despite the variety of approaches proposed for distributed resource allocation, a systematic formalization of the problem, explaining the different sources of difficulties, and a formal explanation ofthe strengths and limitations ofk ey approaches is missing. We take a step towards this goal by proposing a formalization of distributed resource allocation that represents both dynamic and distributed aspects ofthe problem. We define four categories ofdif ficulties ofthe problem. To address this formalized problem, the paper defines the notion of Dynamic Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problem (DyDCSP). The central contribution of the paper is a generalized mapping from distributed resource allocation to DyDCSP. This mapping is proven to correctly perform resource allocation problems of specific difficulty. This theoretical result is verified in practice by an implementation on a real-world distributed sensor network.

[1]  Brian Falkenhainer,et al.  Dynamic Constraint Satisfaction Problems , 1990, AAAI.

[2]  Makoto Yokoo,et al.  Distributed constraint satisfaction algorithm for complex local problems , 1998, Proceedings International Conference on Multi Agent Systems (Cat. No.98EX160).

[3]  Hiroaki Kitano,et al.  RoboCup Rescue: a grand challenge for multi-agent systems , 2000, Proceedings Fourth International Conference on MultiAgent Systems.

[4]  Boi Faltings,et al.  Resource Allocation in Networks Using Abstraction and Constraint Satisfaction Techniques , 1999 .

[5]  Katia Sycara,et al.  Multiagent coordination in tightly coupled task scheduling , 1997 .

[6]  Boi Faltings,et al.  Resource Allocation and Constraint Satisfaction Techniques , 1999, CP.

[7]  Victor R. Lesser,et al.  Poaching and distraction in asynchronous agent activities , 1998, Proceedings International Conference on Multi Agent Systems (Cat. No.98EX160).

[8]  Keith S. Decker,et al.  Coordinated hospital patient scheduling , 1998, Proceedings International Conference on Multi Agent Systems (Cat. No.98EX160).