A fully-distributed, multiagent approach to negotiation in mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract

This paper presents an interaction protocol intended to be used in distributed negotiation problems using software agents, which could be applied to multi-agent systems deployed over Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) connected via wireless networks. We are especially interested in semi-competitive scenarios, where each agent in the system acts on behalf of a user, trying to maximize its user preferences while pursuing a common agreement. In these conditions, and especially if we are dealing with open and dynamic environments like mobile ad-hoc networks, the goals and attitudes of software agents cannot be guaranteed. Taking this into account we propose a protocol where interaction among agents is done in a fully-distributed manner, so that no user can have negotiation privileges over the others.