Gordan Jezic

A self-optimizing mobile network: Auto-tuning the network with firefly-synchronized agents

The reduction of cost and complexity is a key driver in the evolution of mobile networks. This reduction not only applies to the pre-operational state (e.g. the deployment phase of a new network), but to the operational state as well. During the operational state, self-optimization processes can be performed to reduce the operating expenses (OPEX) of telecommunications operators. In this paper, we propose an agent-based mechanism for auto-tuning mobile networks with the aim of achieving energy savings in access networks. Firefly-based synchronization is used for the coordination of mutually dependent software agents located at the operators base stations. Once synchronized, agents can act together to obtain a global goal - i.e. the reduction of the telecommunications operators costs without reducing the quality of the provided services for mobile users. These agents build a self-organized overlay network where neither centralized nor decentralized control is needed and, therefore, is more robust.

The crocodileagent: research for efficient agent-based cross-enterprise processes

The Trading Agent Competition (TAC) is an international forum which promotes high-quality research regarding the trading agent problem One of the TAC competitive scenarios is Supply Chain Management (SCM) where six agents compete by buying components, assembling PCs from these components and selling the manufactured PCs to customers The idea of TAC SCM is the development of agent-based architectures that implement wide-applicable business strategies which efficiently manage cross-enterprise processes In this paper, we analyze the TAC SCM environment and describe the main features of the CrocodileAgent, our entry in the TAC SCM Competition.

An auction-based semantic service discovery model for e-commerce applications

Mediation between buyers (service requesters agents) and sellers (service providers agents) is one of the most difficult problems in real electronic markets In this paper, we propose an economic approach to solving this problem combined with AI (Artificial Intelligence) concepts Firstly, we enable provider agents to dynamically and autonomously advertise semantic descriptions of available services by proposing a new auction model based on Pay-Per-Click advertising auctions We call it the Semantic Pay-Per-Click Agent (SPPCA) auction Requester agents then use two-level filtration of the advertised services to efficiently discover eligible services In the first level of filtration, a semantic-based mechanism for matchmaking between services requested by buyers and those advertised by sellers is applied Services which pass the first level of filtration are then considered on the second level Here information regarding the actual performance of service providers is considered in conjunction with the prices bid by service providers agents in the SPPCA auction A final set of advertised services is then chosen and proposed to the buyer agent as an answer to its request.

Mobile agent based software operation and maintenance

The paper deals with a mobile agent based software operation and maintenance. Remote maintenance shell is described as the protected environment allowing software installation, modification and verification on the remote target system, without suspending its regular operation. It is based on the remote operations performed by mobile agents. Multiagent system with collaborative mobile agents, supporting software maintenance, and its architecture are elaborated. Remote maintenance shell implementation in one maintenance session is included.

Context-Aware Service Provisioning in Next-Generation Networks: An Agent Approach

This article presents an application of a multi-agent system in ubiquitous computing scenarios characteristic of next-generation networks. Next-generation networks will create environments populated with a vast number of consumers, which will possess diverse types of context-aware devices. In such environments, the consumer should be able to access all the available services anytime, from any place, and by using any of its communication-enabled devices. Consequently, next-generation networks will require efficient mechanisms which can match consumers’ demands (requested services) to network-operators’ supplies (available services). The authors propose an agent approach for enabling autonomous coordination between all the entities across the telecom value chain, thus enabling automated context-aware service provisioning for the consumers. Furthermore, the authors hope that the proposed service discovery model will not only be interesting from a scientific point of view, but also amenable to real-world applications.

Improving software maintenance by using agent-based remote maintenance shell

The paper deals with a method developed for software maintenance called remote maintenance shell. It allows software installation, modification and verification on the remote target system without suspending its regular operation. The method is based on remote operations performed by mobile agents. The role of remote maintenance shell in software maintenance is elaborated, as well as its architecture. A case study on version replacement of an object-oriented application is included.

Software Agents in New Generation Networks: Towards the Automation of Telecom Processes

Today, there is a wide variety of telecom services available provided by a number of competing stakeholders in the telecom environment. Consequently, consumers in such an environment require efficient mechanisms to match their demands (requested services) to supplies (available services). Businesses, on the other hand, aim to achieve efficient allocation of their resources. This chapter introduces a combination of Artificial Intelligence mechanisms and Computational Economics concepts as a means of solving the above mentioned problems. These mechanisms and concepts are implemented in agent-based electronic markets. Electronic markets function as digital intermediaries that create value by bringing consumers and providers together to create transactional immediacy and supply liquidity, by supporting the exchange of demand and supply information, and reducing transaction costs. The efficiency of the created multi-agent system is realized by applying novel discovery and/or negotiation models.

Agent-Based User Personalization Using Context-Aware Semantic Reasoning

The future of mobile telecommunications is aimed at creating a user-centric wireless world which takes into account users preferences, as well as communication context (e.g., network and terminal heterogeneity or user location). In order to enable context-aware personalization of communication services offered by next-generation mobile networks, we propose an agent-based approach in combination with semantic reasoning techniques from the Semantic Web. In particular, we use ontology-based user profiles to create an agent-based context-aware service which supports personalization according to users preferences. An ontology is created which contains knowledge regarding terminal capabilities and user preferences, as well as a software agent which manages user personalization according to the context extracted from the user profile.

Location-Based Services: A Road Towards Situation Awareness

With the widespread use of mobile devices and increased demand for mobile services , Location - Based - Services (LBS) represent a promising addition to service offerings of net-work operators as well as third - party service providers.Based on long-term research in LBS , our group has proposed a generic Enhanced LBS Reference Model (ELRM) , which describes the concept , the architecture and the functionalities of the LBS.In addition , an evolutionary information process has been identified within the LBS, that represents knowledge maturity from posotion awareness to situation awareness.Both the ELRM and the information evolution process in LBS are presented in this article and illustrated by a case study within the framework of the 3GPP-standardised IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).This case-study emphasises the opportunities for navigation and LBS related solutions development provided by modern telecommunication technologies.

Communication in machine-to-machine environments

It has been estimated that by the end of 2020 there will be 50 billion connected devices in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) networks. Such projections should encourage us to deal with the corresponding problems in heterogeneous M2M systems. First of all, devices can communicate through different access technologies (e.g. wireline, 2G/3G, WiFi, Bluetooth) and their communication can be classified as direct or indirect, internal or external. In this paper we explain differences between those types of communication and propose a new identification scheme that allows M2M devices to establish communication in every possible way. Secondly, there is a problem of device hardware and software diversity. To over-come this problem, we propose the usage of the Open Service Gateway Initiative (OSGi) framework.