Formal framework for adaptive multi-agent systems

Evolution of software challenges multi-agent systems to be adaptive and the adaptation capabilities should be provided at both the agent level and the system level. In this paper, we study the adaptation of multi-agent systems from the system level and describe a formal framework for multi-agent systems with adaptation capabilities. In the framework, agents are indirectly interconnected via roles and interaction protocols are defined as entities independent of agents and roles. Thus, agents, roles, and interaction protocols involved in multi-agent systems need not always adjust their behaviors or specifications to adapt to the changes of system structures and interaction protocols.