Key-based coordination strategies: Scalability issues

Abstract

We describe a key-based approach to multi-agent coordination, where certain coordination decisions are done only when the agent holds a coordination key. This approach is primarily decentralized, but has some centralized aspects, including synchronization of coordination decisions and schedule information sharing. The approach is described within the context of the application requirements that motivated its development. Finally, its scalability properties are discussed. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.