RFID-enhanced multi-agent based control for a machining system

Recent research on highly distributed control methods for complex systems have produced a series of philosophies based on negotiation, that bring together process engineering with computer science. Among these control philosophies, the ones based on multi-agent systems (MAS) have become especially relevant. Furthermore, among a number of MAS implementations, those that use different types of agents at different conceptual/managerial levels are commonly applied. However, these MAS models have the drawback of an excessive dependence on up-to-date information about the products and other elements that move within the system. A new technology has come out that can help solve this problem: radio-frequency identification enhanced information management systems (RFID-IMS). One of these is Auto-ID/EPCglobal technology. This paper shows how a MAS model can be used for controlling a machining system incorporating RFID-IMS technology. The resulting system becomes an RFID-enhanced intelligent manufacturing system (RFID-IMS II).