Agent-Based Context-Aware Ad Hoc Communication

Abstract

This paper presents a technique for combining context information and agent technology to support spontaneous applications in an ad hoc network environment. The multi-agent system uses the Ad hoc Context Aware Network (ACAN) infrastructure for context gathering, network setup and application management. Agents manage the process of creating, adapting, policing and terminating applications that rise spontaneously according to the situational context information of users, services, and resources. Typical spontaneous applications include locating services and users, invoking services in a nonpredefined scenario (such as remote conferencing between distant places), facilitating a common communication mechanism between users, and adapting to changes in the environment and the users’ mobility. The paper examines the requirements of a spontaneous ad hoc communication, the ACAN infrastructure, and the context-based service discovery protocol (CBSDP). The Ontology Aware Service System (OASS) is described as a semantically rich way for a common communication language between the agents and for the process of building up services discovered by the CBSDP protocol. Simulation scenarios are provided and the implementation currently being tested is described.