Communication Protocols Applicable in Holonic Manufacturing System

Communication amongst agents plays an essential role in the Holonic manufacturing system. Exchange of information via communication among agents may decrease complexity and uncertainty. The information can generally be classified into two categories. These are procured information and supplied information. The supplied information mentions the data that can be retried from the blackboard or from databases. Alternatively, the procured items are acquired only while an action is initiated via the agents for procuring such information. The given four types of events may be related with an agent (Let Agent A), in the information based manufacturing paradigm:

• Agent A inquires for (request) information firm other agents.
• Other agents request information from agent A.
• Agent A takes part in group discussion with other agents.
• Information is broadcast either via or to agent A.

These four types of event can be tackled via fundamental communication. "Tell and Request" are the two merely communications for inter-agent communication, in Holonic manufacturing system. Based on these two categories of aforementioned  and communication four  events,  protocols  are  generally  classified  in  to  four  primary types. The details are specified in Table no.1.

                                                                      Table no.1: Protocols and Their Significance