To address the shortcomings of traditional Genetic Algorithm (GA) in multi-agent path planning, such as prolonged planning time, slow convergence, and solution instability, this paper proposes an Asynchronous Genetic ...To address the shortcomings of traditional Genetic Algorithm (GA) in multi-agent path planning, such as prolonged planning time, slow convergence, and solution instability, this paper proposes an Asynchronous Genetic Algorithm (AGA) to solve multi-agent path planning problems effectively. To enhance the real-time performance and computational efficiency of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) in path planning, the AGA incorporates an Equal-Size Clustering Algorithm (ESCA) based on the K-means clustering method. The ESCA divides the primary task evenly into a series of subtasks, thereby reducing the gene length in the subsequent GA process. The algorithm then employs GA to solve each subtask sequentially. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a simulation program was designed to perform path planning for 100 trajectories, and the results were compared with those of State-Of-The-Art (SOTA) methods. The simulation results demonstrate that, although the solutions provided by AGA are suboptimal, it exhibits significant advantages in terms of execution speed and solution stability compared to other algorithms.展开更多
Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)has proven to be successful in cooperative assignments.MARL is used to investigate how autonomous agents with the same interests can connect and act in one team.MARL cooperation...Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)has proven to be successful in cooperative assignments.MARL is used to investigate how autonomous agents with the same interests can connect and act in one team.MARL cooperation scenarios are explored in recreational cooperative augmented reality environments,as well as realworld scenarios in robotics.In this paper,we explore the realm of MARL and its potential applications in cooperative assignments.Our focus is on developing a multi-agent system that can collaborate to attack or defend against enemies and achieve victory withminimal damage.To accomplish this,we utilize the StarCraftMulti-Agent Challenge(SMAC)environment and train four MARL algorithms:Q-learning with Mixtures of Experts(QMIX),Value-DecompositionNetwork(VDN),Multi-agent Proximal PolicyOptimizer(MAPPO),andMulti-Agent Actor Attention Critic(MAA2C).These algorithms allow multiple agents to cooperate in a specific scenario to achieve the targeted mission.Our results show that the QMIX algorithm outperforms the other three algorithms in the attacking scenario,while the VDN algorithm achieves the best results in the defending scenario.Specifically,the VDNalgorithmreaches the highest value of battle wonmean and the lowest value of dead alliesmean.Our research demonstrates the potential forMARL algorithms to be used in real-world applications,such as controllingmultiple robots to provide helpful services or coordinating teams of agents to accomplish tasks that would be impossible for a human to do.The SMAC environment provides a unique opportunity to test and evaluate MARL algorithms in a challenging and dynamic environment,and our results show that these algorithms can be used to achieve victory with minimal damage.展开更多
Cooperative multi-agent reinforcement learning(MARL)is a key technology for enabling cooperation in complex multi-agent systems.It has achieved remarkable progress in areas such as gaming,autonomous driving,and multi-...Cooperative multi-agent reinforcement learning(MARL)is a key technology for enabling cooperation in complex multi-agent systems.It has achieved remarkable progress in areas such as gaming,autonomous driving,and multi-robot control.Empowering cooperative MARL with multi-task decision-making capabilities is expected to further broaden its application scope.In multi-task scenarios,cooperative MARL algorithms need to address 3 types of multi-task problems:reward-related multi-task,arising from different reward functions;multi-domain multi-task,caused by differences in state and action spaces,state transition functions;and scalability-related multi-task,resulting from the dynamic variation in the number of agents.Most existing studies focus on scalability-related multitask problems.However,with the increasing integration between large language models(LLMs)and multi-agent systems,a growing number of LLM-based multi-agent systems have emerged,enabling more complex multi-task cooperation.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances in this field.By combining multi-task reinforcement learning with cooperative MARL,we categorize and analyze the 3 major types of multi-task problems under multi-agent settings,offering more fine-grained classifications and summarizing key insights for each.In addition,we summarize commonly used benchmarks and discuss future directions of research in this area,which hold promise for further enhancing the multi-task cooperation capabilities of multi-agent systems and expanding their practical applications in the real world.展开更多
This paper addresses the consensus problem of nonlinear multi-agent systems subject to external disturbances and uncertainties under denial-ofservice(DoS)attacks.Firstly,an observer-based state feedback control method...This paper addresses the consensus problem of nonlinear multi-agent systems subject to external disturbances and uncertainties under denial-ofservice(DoS)attacks.Firstly,an observer-based state feedback control method is employed to achieve secure control by estimating the system's state in real time.Secondly,by combining a memory-based adaptive eventtriggered mechanism with neural networks,the paper aims to approximate the nonlinear terms in the networked system and efficiently conserve system resources.Finally,based on a two-degree-of-freedom model of a vehicle affected by crosswinds,this paper constructs a multi-unmanned ground vehicle(Multi-UGV)system to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.Simulation results show that the proposed control strategy can effectively handle external disturbances such as crosswinds in practical applications,ensuring the stability and reliable operation of the Multi-UGV system.展开更多
This paper investigates the challenges associated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) collaborative search and target tracking in dynamic and unknown environments characterized by limited field of view. The primary obj...This paper investigates the challenges associated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) collaborative search and target tracking in dynamic and unknown environments characterized by limited field of view. The primary objective is to explore the unknown environments to locate and track targets effectively. To address this problem, we propose a novel Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) method based on Graph Neural Network (GNN). Firstly, a method is introduced for encoding continuous-space multi-UAV problem data into spatial graphs which establish essential relationships among agents, obstacles, and targets. Secondly, a Graph AttenTion network (GAT) model is presented, which focuses exclusively on adjacent nodes, learns attention weights adaptively and allows agents to better process information in dynamic environments. Reward functions are specifically designed to tackle exploration challenges in environments with sparse rewards. By introducing a framework that integrates centralized training and distributed execution, the advancement of models is facilitated. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing MARL method in search rate and tracking performance with less collisions. The experiments show that the proposed method can be extended to applications with a larger number of agents, which provides a potential solution to the challenging problem of multi-UAV autonomous tracking in dynamic unknown environments.展开更多
Open caissons are widely used in foundation engineering because of their load-bearing efficiency and adaptability in diverse soil conditions.However,accurately predicting their undrained bearing capacity in layered so...Open caissons are widely used in foundation engineering because of their load-bearing efficiency and adaptability in diverse soil conditions.However,accurately predicting their undrained bearing capacity in layered soils remains a complex challenge.This study presents a novel application of five ensemble machine(ML)algorithms-random forest(RF),gradient boosting machine(GBM),extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost),adaptive boosting(AdaBoost),and categorical boosting(CatBoost)-to predict the undrained bearing capacity factor(Nc)of circular open caissons embedded in two-layered clay on the basis of results from finite element limit analysis(FELA).The input dataset consists of 1188 numerical simulations using the Tresca failure criterion,varying in geometrical and soil parameters.The FELA was performed via OptumG2 software with adaptive meshing techniques and verified against existing benchmark studies.The ML models were trained on 70% of the dataset and tested on the remaining 30%.Their performance was evaluated using six statistical metrics:coefficient of determination(R²),mean absolute error(MAE),root mean squared error(RMSE),index of scatter(IOS),RMSE-to-standard deviation ratio(RSR),and variance explained factor(VAF).The results indicate that all the models achieved high accuracy,with R²values exceeding 97.6%and RMSE values below 0.02.Among them,AdaBoost and CatBoost consistently outperformed the other methods across both the training and testing datasets,demonstrating superior generalizability and robustness.The proposed ML framework offers an efficient,accurate,and data-driven alternative to traditional methods for estimating caisson capacity in stratified soils.This approach can aid in reducing computational costs while improving reliability in the early stages of foundation design.展开更多
The economic dispatch problem(EDP) of microgrids operating in both grid-connected and isolated modes within an energy internet framework is addressed in this paper. The multi-agent leader-following consensus algorithm...The economic dispatch problem(EDP) of microgrids operating in both grid-connected and isolated modes within an energy internet framework is addressed in this paper. The multi-agent leader-following consensus algorithm is employed to address the EDP of microgrids in grid-connected mode, while the push-pull algorithm with a fixed step size is introduced for the isolated mode. The proposed algorithm of isolated mode is proven to converge to the optimum when the interaction digraph of microgrids is strongly connected. A unified algorithmic framework is proposed to handle the two modes of operation of microgrids simultaneously, enabling our algorithm to achieve optimal power allocation and maintain the balance between power supply and demand in any mode and any mode switching. Due to the push-pull structure of the algorithm and the use of fixed step size,the proposed algorithm can better handle the case of unbalanced graphs, and the convergence speed is improved. It is documented that when the transmission topology is strongly connected and there is bi-directional communication between the energy router and its neighbors, the proposed algorithm in composite mode achieves economic dispatch even with arbitrary mode switching.Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of our algorithm through numerical simulations.展开更多
Highly intelligent Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle(UCAV)formation is expected to bring out strengths in Beyond-Visual-Range(BVR)air combat.Although Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)shows outstanding performance ...Highly intelligent Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle(UCAV)formation is expected to bring out strengths in Beyond-Visual-Range(BVR)air combat.Although Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)shows outstanding performance in cooperative decision-making,it is challenging for existing MARL algorithms to quickly converge to an optimal strategy for UCAV formation in BVR air combat where confrontation is complicated and reward is extremely sparse and delayed.Aiming to solve this problem,this paper proposes an Advantage Highlight Multi-Agent Proximal Policy Optimization(AHMAPPO)algorithm.First,at every step,the AHMAPPO records the degree to which the best formation exceeds the average of formations in parallel environments and carries out additional advantage sampling according to it.Then,the sampling result is introduced into the updating process of the actor network to improve its optimization efficiency.Finally,the simulation results reveal that compared with some state-of-the-art MARL algorithms,the AHMAPPO can obtain a more excellent strategy utilizing fewer sample episodes in the UCAV formation BVR air combat simulation environment built in this paper,which can reflect the critical features of BVR air combat.The AHMAPPO can significantly increase the convergence efficiency of the strategy for UCAV formation in BVR air combat,with a maximum increase of 81.5%relative to other algorithms.展开更多
In the rapidly evolving landscape of today’s digital economy,Financial Technology(Fintech)emerges as a trans-formative force,propelled by the dynamic synergy between Artificial Intelligence(AI)and Algorithmic Trading...In the rapidly evolving landscape of today’s digital economy,Financial Technology(Fintech)emerges as a trans-formative force,propelled by the dynamic synergy between Artificial Intelligence(AI)and Algorithmic Trading.Our in-depth investigation delves into the intricacies of merging Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)and Explainable AI(XAI)within Fintech,aiming to refine Algorithmic Trading strategies.Through meticulous examination,we uncover the nuanced interactions of AI-driven agents as they collaborate and compete within the financial realm,employing sophisticated deep learning techniques to enhance the clarity and adaptability of trading decisions.These AI-infused Fintech platforms harness collective intelligence to unearth trends,mitigate risks,and provide tailored financial guidance,fostering benefits for individuals and enterprises navigating the digital landscape.Our research holds the potential to revolutionize finance,opening doors to fresh avenues for investment and asset management in the digital age.Additionally,our statistical evaluation yields encouraging results,with metrics such as Accuracy=0.85,Precision=0.88,and F1 Score=0.86,reaffirming the efficacy of our approach within Fintech and emphasizing its reliability and innovative prowess.展开更多
Quantum computing offers unprecedented computational power, enabling simultaneous computations beyond traditional computers. Quantum computers differ significantly from classical computers, necessitating a distinct ap...Quantum computing offers unprecedented computational power, enabling simultaneous computations beyond traditional computers. Quantum computers differ significantly from classical computers, necessitating a distinct approach to algorithm design, which involves taming quantum mechanical phenomena. This paper extends the numbering of computable programs to be applied in the quantum computing context. Numbering computable programs is a theoretical computer science concept that assigns unique numbers to individual programs or algorithms. Common methods include Gödel numbering which encodes programs as strings of symbols or characters, often used in formal systems and mathematical logic. Based on the proposed numbering approach, this paper presents a mechanism to explore the set of possible quantum algorithms. The proposed approach is able to construct useful circuits such as Quantum Key Distribution BB84 protocol, which enables sender and receiver to establish a secure cryptographic key via a quantum channel. The proposed approach facilitates the process of exploring and constructing quantum algorithms.展开更多
This paper mainly focuses on the velocity-constrained consensus problem of discrete-time heterogeneous multi-agent systems with nonconvex constraints and arbitrarily switching topologies,where each agent has first-ord...This paper mainly focuses on the velocity-constrained consensus problem of discrete-time heterogeneous multi-agent systems with nonconvex constraints and arbitrarily switching topologies,where each agent has first-order or second-order dynamics.To solve this problem,a distributed algorithm is proposed based on a contraction operator.By employing the properties of the stochastic matrix,it is shown that all agents’position states could converge to a common point and second-order agents’velocity states could remain in corresponding nonconvex constraint sets and converge to zero as long as the joint communication topology has one directed spanning tree.Finally,the numerical simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.展开更多
Aiming at the problems of low solution accuracy and high decision pressure when facing large-scale dynamic task allocation(DTA)and high-dimensional decision space with single agent,this paper combines the deep reinfor...Aiming at the problems of low solution accuracy and high decision pressure when facing large-scale dynamic task allocation(DTA)and high-dimensional decision space with single agent,this paper combines the deep reinforce-ment learning(DRL)theory and an improved Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient(MADDPG-D2)algorithm with a dual experience replay pool and a dual noise based on multi-agent architecture is proposed to improve the efficiency of DTA.The algorithm is based on the traditional Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient(MADDPG)algorithm,and considers the introduction of a double noise mechanism to increase the action exploration space in the early stage of the algorithm,and the introduction of a double experience pool to improve the data utilization rate;at the same time,in order to accelerate the training speed and efficiency of the agents,and to solve the cold-start problem of the training,the a priori knowledge technology is applied to the training of the algorithm.Finally,the MADDPG-D2 algorithm is compared and analyzed based on the digital battlefield of ground and air confrontation.The experimental results show that the agents trained by the MADDPG-D2 algorithm have higher win rates and average rewards,can utilize the resources more reasonably,and better solve the problem of the traditional single agent algorithms facing the difficulty of solving the problem in the high-dimensional decision space.The MADDPG-D2 algorithm based on multi-agent architecture proposed in this paper has certain superiority and rationality in DTA.展开更多
The advent of microgrids in modern energy systems heralds a promising era of resilience,sustainability,and efficiency.Within the realm of grid-tied microgrids,the selection of an optimal optimization algorithm is crit...The advent of microgrids in modern energy systems heralds a promising era of resilience,sustainability,and efficiency.Within the realm of grid-tied microgrids,the selection of an optimal optimization algorithm is critical for effective energy management,particularly in economic dispatching.This study compares the performance of Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO)and Genetic Algorithms(GA)in microgrid energy management systems,implemented using MATLAB tools.Through a comprehensive review of the literature and sim-ulations conducted in MATLAB,the study analyzes performance metrics,convergence speed,and the overall efficacy of GA and PSO,with a focus on economic dispatching tasks.Notably,a significant distinction emerges between the cost curves generated by the two algo-rithms for microgrid operation,with the PSO algorithm consistently resulting in lower costs due to its effective economic dispatching capabilities.Specifically,the utilization of the PSO approach could potentially lead to substantial savings on the power bill,amounting to approximately$15.30 in this evaluation.Thefindings provide insights into the strengths and limitations of each algorithm within the complex dynamics of grid-tied microgrids,thereby assisting stakeholders and researchers in arriving at informed decisions.This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable energy management by offering actionable guidance for the advancement of grid-tied micro-grid technologies through MATLAB-implemented optimization algorithms.展开更多
This paper focuses on the problem of leaderfollowing consensus for nonlinear cascaded multi-agent systems.The control strategies for these systems are transformed into successive control problem schemes for lower-orde...This paper focuses on the problem of leaderfollowing consensus for nonlinear cascaded multi-agent systems.The control strategies for these systems are transformed into successive control problem schemes for lower-order error subsystems.A distributed consensus analysis for the corresponding error systems is conducted by employing recursive methods and virtual controllers,accompanied by a series of Lyapunov functions devised throughout the iterative process,which solves the leaderfollowing consensus problem of a class of nonlinear cascaded multi-agent systems.Specific simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.展开更多
This article investigates the time-varying output group formation tracking control(GFTC)problem for heterogeneous multi-agent systems(HMASs)under switching topologies.The objective is to design a distributed control s...This article investigates the time-varying output group formation tracking control(GFTC)problem for heterogeneous multi-agent systems(HMASs)under switching topologies.The objective is to design a distributed control strategy that enables the outputs of the followers to form the desired sub-formations and track the outputs of the leader in each subgroup.Firstly,novel distributed observers are developed to estimate the states of the leaders under switching topologies.Then,GFTC protocols are designed based on the proposed observers.It is shown that with the distributed protocol,the GFTC problem for HMASs under switching topologies is solved if the average dwell time associated with the switching topologies is larger than a fixed threshold.Finally,an example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.展开更多
This paper proposes a Multi-Agent Attention Proximal Policy Optimization(MA2PPO)algorithm aiming at the problems such as credit assignment,low collaboration efficiency and weak strategy generalization ability existing...This paper proposes a Multi-Agent Attention Proximal Policy Optimization(MA2PPO)algorithm aiming at the problems such as credit assignment,low collaboration efficiency and weak strategy generalization ability existing in the cooperative pursuit tasks of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).Traditional algorithms often fail to effectively identify critical cooperative relationships in such tasks,leading to low capture efficiency and a significant decline in performance when the scale expands.To tackle these issues,based on the proximal policy optimization(PPO)algorithm,MA2PPO adopts the centralized training with decentralized execution(CTDE)framework and introduces a dynamic decoupling mechanism,that is,sharing the multi-head attention(MHA)mechanism for critics during centralized training to solve the credit assignment problem.This method enables the pursuers to identify highly correlated interactions with their teammates,effectively eliminate irrelevant and weakly relevant interactions,and decompose large-scale cooperation problems into decoupled sub-problems,thereby enhancing the collaborative efficiency and policy stability among multiple agents.Furthermore,a reward function has been devised to facilitate the pursuers to encircle the escapee by combining a formation reward with a distance reward,which incentivizes UAVs to develop sophisticated cooperative pursuit strategies.Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in achieving multi-UAV cooperative pursuit and inducing diverse cooperative pursuit behaviors among UAVs.Moreover,experiments on scalability have demonstrated that the algorithm is suitable for large-scale multi-UAV systems.展开更多
Formation control in multi-agent systems has become a critical area of interest due to its wide-ranging applications in robotics,autonomous transportation,and surveillance.While various studies have explored distribut...Formation control in multi-agent systems has become a critical area of interest due to its wide-ranging applications in robotics,autonomous transportation,and surveillance.While various studies have explored distributed cooperative control,this review focuses on the theoretical foundations and recent developments in formation control strategies.The paper categorizes and analyzes key formation types,including formation maintenance,group or cluster formation,bipartite formations,event-triggered formations,finite-time convergence,and constrained formations.A significant portion of the review addresses formation control under constrained dynamics,presenting both modelbased and model-free approaches that consider practical limitations such as actuator bounds,communication delays,and nonholonomic constraints.Additionally,the paper discusses emerging trends,including the integration of eventdriven mechanisms and AI-enhanced coordination strategies.Comparative evaluations highlight the trade-offs among various methodologies regarding scalability,robustness,and real-world feasibility.Practical implementations are reviewed across diverse platforms,and the review identifies the current achievements and unresolved challenges in the field.The paper concludes by outlining promising research directions,such as adaptive control for dynamic environments,energy-efficient coordination,and using learning-based control under uncertainty.This review synthesizes the current state of the art and provides a road map for future investigation,making it a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners aiming to advance formation control in multi-agent systems.展开更多
Continuous control protocols are extensively utilized in traditional MASs,in which information needs to be transmitted among agents consecutively,therefore resulting in excessive consumption of limited resources.To de...Continuous control protocols are extensively utilized in traditional MASs,in which information needs to be transmitted among agents consecutively,therefore resulting in excessive consumption of limited resources.To decrease the control cost,based on ISC,several LFC problems are investigated for second-order MASs without and with time delay,respectively.Firstly,an intermittent sampled controller is designed,and a sufficient and necessary condition is derived,under which state errors between the leader and all the followers approach zero asymptotically.Considering that time delay is inevitable,a new protocol is proposed to deal with the time-delay situation.The error system’s stability is analyzed using the Schur stability theorem,and sufficient and necessary conditions for LFC are obtained,which are closely associated with the coupling gain,the system parameters,and the network structure.Furthermore,for the case where the current position and velocity information are not available,a distributed protocol is designed that depends only on the sampled position information.The sufficient and necessary conditions for LFC are also given.The results show that second-order MASs can achieve the LFC if and only if the system parameters satisfy the inequalities proposed in the paper.Finally,the correctness of the obtained results is verified by numerical simulations.展开更多
In recent years,significant research attention has been directed towards swarm intelligence.The Milling behavior of fish schools,a prime example of swarm intelligence,shows how simple rules followed by individual agen...In recent years,significant research attention has been directed towards swarm intelligence.The Milling behavior of fish schools,a prime example of swarm intelligence,shows how simple rules followed by individual agents lead to complex collective behaviors.This paper studies Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning to simulate fish schooling behavior,overcoming the challenges of tuning parameters in traditional models and addressing the limitations of single-agent methods in multi-agent environments.Based on this foundation,a novel Graph Convolutional Networks(GCN)-Critic MADDPG algorithm leveraging GCN is proposed to enhance cooperation among agents in a multi-agent system.Simulation experiments demonstrate that,compared to traditional single-agent algorithms,the proposed method not only exhibits significant advantages in terms of convergence speed and stability but also achieves tighter group formations and more naturally aligned Milling behavior.Additionally,a fish school self-organizing behavior research platform based on an event-triggered mechanism has been developed,providing a robust tool for exploring dynamic behavioral changes under various conditions.展开更多
文摘To address the shortcomings of traditional Genetic Algorithm (GA) in multi-agent path planning, such as prolonged planning time, slow convergence, and solution instability, this paper proposes an Asynchronous Genetic Algorithm (AGA) to solve multi-agent path planning problems effectively. To enhance the real-time performance and computational efficiency of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) in path planning, the AGA incorporates an Equal-Size Clustering Algorithm (ESCA) based on the K-means clustering method. The ESCA divides the primary task evenly into a series of subtasks, thereby reducing the gene length in the subsequent GA process. The algorithm then employs GA to solve each subtask sequentially. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a simulation program was designed to perform path planning for 100 trajectories, and the results were compared with those of State-Of-The-Art (SOTA) methods. The simulation results demonstrate that, although the solutions provided by AGA are suboptimal, it exhibits significant advantages in terms of execution speed and solution stability compared to other algorithms.
基金supported in part by United States Air Force Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy(RITA)University Affiliated Research Center(UARC)in part by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research(AFOSR)Contract FA9550-22-1-0268 awarded to KHA,https://www.afrl.af.mil/AFOSR/The contract is entitled:“Investigating Improving Safety of Autonomous Exploring Intelligent Agents with Human-in-the-Loop Reinforcement Learning,”and in part by Jackson State University.
文摘Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)has proven to be successful in cooperative assignments.MARL is used to investigate how autonomous agents with the same interests can connect and act in one team.MARL cooperation scenarios are explored in recreational cooperative augmented reality environments,as well as realworld scenarios in robotics.In this paper,we explore the realm of MARL and its potential applications in cooperative assignments.Our focus is on developing a multi-agent system that can collaborate to attack or defend against enemies and achieve victory withminimal damage.To accomplish this,we utilize the StarCraftMulti-Agent Challenge(SMAC)environment and train four MARL algorithms:Q-learning with Mixtures of Experts(QMIX),Value-DecompositionNetwork(VDN),Multi-agent Proximal PolicyOptimizer(MAPPO),andMulti-Agent Actor Attention Critic(MAA2C).These algorithms allow multiple agents to cooperate in a specific scenario to achieve the targeted mission.Our results show that the QMIX algorithm outperforms the other three algorithms in the attacking scenario,while the VDN algorithm achieves the best results in the defending scenario.Specifically,the VDNalgorithmreaches the highest value of battle wonmean and the lowest value of dead alliesmean.Our research demonstrates the potential forMARL algorithms to be used in real-world applications,such as controllingmultiple robots to provide helpful services or coordinating teams of agents to accomplish tasks that would be impossible for a human to do.The SMAC environment provides a unique opportunity to test and evaluate MARL algorithms in a challenging and dynamic environment,and our results show that these algorithms can be used to achieve victory with minimal damage.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(62136008,62293541)The Beijing Natural Science Foundation(4232056)The Beijing Nova Program(20240484514).
文摘Cooperative multi-agent reinforcement learning(MARL)is a key technology for enabling cooperation in complex multi-agent systems.It has achieved remarkable progress in areas such as gaming,autonomous driving,and multi-robot control.Empowering cooperative MARL with multi-task decision-making capabilities is expected to further broaden its application scope.In multi-task scenarios,cooperative MARL algorithms need to address 3 types of multi-task problems:reward-related multi-task,arising from different reward functions;multi-domain multi-task,caused by differences in state and action spaces,state transition functions;and scalability-related multi-task,resulting from the dynamic variation in the number of agents.Most existing studies focus on scalability-related multitask problems.However,with the increasing integration between large language models(LLMs)and multi-agent systems,a growing number of LLM-based multi-agent systems have emerged,enabling more complex multi-task cooperation.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances in this field.By combining multi-task reinforcement learning with cooperative MARL,we categorize and analyze the 3 major types of multi-task problems under multi-agent settings,offering more fine-grained classifications and summarizing key insights for each.In addition,we summarize commonly used benchmarks and discuss future directions of research in this area,which hold promise for further enhancing the multi-task cooperation capabilities of multi-agent systems and expanding their practical applications in the real world.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(W2431048)The Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission,China(KJZDK202300807)The Chongqing Natural Science Foundation,China(CSTB2024NSCQQCXMX0052).
文摘This paper addresses the consensus problem of nonlinear multi-agent systems subject to external disturbances and uncertainties under denial-ofservice(DoS)attacks.Firstly,an observer-based state feedback control method is employed to achieve secure control by estimating the system's state in real time.Secondly,by combining a memory-based adaptive eventtriggered mechanism with neural networks,the paper aims to approximate the nonlinear terms in the networked system and efficiently conserve system resources.Finally,based on a two-degree-of-freedom model of a vehicle affected by crosswinds,this paper constructs a multi-unmanned ground vehicle(Multi-UGV)system to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.Simulation results show that the proposed control strategy can effectively handle external disturbances such as crosswinds in practical applications,ensuring the stability and reliable operation of the Multi-UGV system.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12272104,U22B2013).
文摘This paper investigates the challenges associated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) collaborative search and target tracking in dynamic and unknown environments characterized by limited field of view. The primary objective is to explore the unknown environments to locate and track targets effectively. To address this problem, we propose a novel Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) method based on Graph Neural Network (GNN). Firstly, a method is introduced for encoding continuous-space multi-UAV problem data into spatial graphs which establish essential relationships among agents, obstacles, and targets. Secondly, a Graph AttenTion network (GAT) model is presented, which focuses exclusively on adjacent nodes, learns attention weights adaptively and allows agents to better process information in dynamic environments. Reward functions are specifically designed to tackle exploration challenges in environments with sparse rewards. By introducing a framework that integrates centralized training and distributed execution, the advancement of models is facilitated. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing MARL method in search rate and tracking performance with less collisions. The experiments show that the proposed method can be extended to applications with a larger number of agents, which provides a potential solution to the challenging problem of multi-UAV autonomous tracking in dynamic unknown environments.
文摘Open caissons are widely used in foundation engineering because of their load-bearing efficiency and adaptability in diverse soil conditions.However,accurately predicting their undrained bearing capacity in layered soils remains a complex challenge.This study presents a novel application of five ensemble machine(ML)algorithms-random forest(RF),gradient boosting machine(GBM),extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost),adaptive boosting(AdaBoost),and categorical boosting(CatBoost)-to predict the undrained bearing capacity factor(Nc)of circular open caissons embedded in two-layered clay on the basis of results from finite element limit analysis(FELA).The input dataset consists of 1188 numerical simulations using the Tresca failure criterion,varying in geometrical and soil parameters.The FELA was performed via OptumG2 software with adaptive meshing techniques and verified against existing benchmark studies.The ML models were trained on 70% of the dataset and tested on the remaining 30%.Their performance was evaluated using six statistical metrics:coefficient of determination(R²),mean absolute error(MAE),root mean squared error(RMSE),index of scatter(IOS),RMSE-to-standard deviation ratio(RSR),and variance explained factor(VAF).The results indicate that all the models achieved high accuracy,with R²values exceeding 97.6%and RMSE values below 0.02.Among them,AdaBoost and CatBoost consistently outperformed the other methods across both the training and testing datasets,demonstrating superior generalizability and robustness.The proposed ML framework offers an efficient,accurate,and data-driven alternative to traditional methods for estimating caisson capacity in stratified soils.This approach can aid in reducing computational costs while improving reliability in the early stages of foundation design.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62103203)
文摘The economic dispatch problem(EDP) of microgrids operating in both grid-connected and isolated modes within an energy internet framework is addressed in this paper. The multi-agent leader-following consensus algorithm is employed to address the EDP of microgrids in grid-connected mode, while the push-pull algorithm with a fixed step size is introduced for the isolated mode. The proposed algorithm of isolated mode is proven to converge to the optimum when the interaction digraph of microgrids is strongly connected. A unified algorithmic framework is proposed to handle the two modes of operation of microgrids simultaneously, enabling our algorithm to achieve optimal power allocation and maintain the balance between power supply and demand in any mode and any mode switching. Due to the push-pull structure of the algorithm and the use of fixed step size,the proposed algorithm can better handle the case of unbalanced graphs, and the convergence speed is improved. It is documented that when the transmission topology is strongly connected and there is bi-directional communication between the energy router and its neighbors, the proposed algorithm in composite mode achieves economic dispatch even with arbitrary mode switching.Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of our algorithm through numerical simulations.
基金co-supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52272382)the Aeronautical Science Foundation of China(No.20200017051001)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China.
文摘Highly intelligent Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle(UCAV)formation is expected to bring out strengths in Beyond-Visual-Range(BVR)air combat.Although Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)shows outstanding performance in cooperative decision-making,it is challenging for existing MARL algorithms to quickly converge to an optimal strategy for UCAV formation in BVR air combat where confrontation is complicated and reward is extremely sparse and delayed.Aiming to solve this problem,this paper proposes an Advantage Highlight Multi-Agent Proximal Policy Optimization(AHMAPPO)algorithm.First,at every step,the AHMAPPO records the degree to which the best formation exceeds the average of formations in parallel environments and carries out additional advantage sampling according to it.Then,the sampling result is introduced into the updating process of the actor network to improve its optimization efficiency.Finally,the simulation results reveal that compared with some state-of-the-art MARL algorithms,the AHMAPPO can obtain a more excellent strategy utilizing fewer sample episodes in the UCAV formation BVR air combat simulation environment built in this paper,which can reflect the critical features of BVR air combat.The AHMAPPO can significantly increase the convergence efficiency of the strategy for UCAV formation in BVR air combat,with a maximum increase of 81.5%relative to other algorithms.
基金This project was funded by Deanship of Scientific Research(DSR)at King Abdulaziz University,Jeddah underGrant No.(IFPIP-1127-611-1443)the authors,therefore,acknowledge with thanks DSR technical and financial support.
文摘In the rapidly evolving landscape of today’s digital economy,Financial Technology(Fintech)emerges as a trans-formative force,propelled by the dynamic synergy between Artificial Intelligence(AI)and Algorithmic Trading.Our in-depth investigation delves into the intricacies of merging Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning(MARL)and Explainable AI(XAI)within Fintech,aiming to refine Algorithmic Trading strategies.Through meticulous examination,we uncover the nuanced interactions of AI-driven agents as they collaborate and compete within the financial realm,employing sophisticated deep learning techniques to enhance the clarity and adaptability of trading decisions.These AI-infused Fintech platforms harness collective intelligence to unearth trends,mitigate risks,and provide tailored financial guidance,fostering benefits for individuals and enterprises navigating the digital landscape.Our research holds the potential to revolutionize finance,opening doors to fresh avenues for investment and asset management in the digital age.Additionally,our statistical evaluation yields encouraging results,with metrics such as Accuracy=0.85,Precision=0.88,and F1 Score=0.86,reaffirming the efficacy of our approach within Fintech and emphasizing its reliability and innovative prowess.
文摘Quantum computing offers unprecedented computational power, enabling simultaneous computations beyond traditional computers. Quantum computers differ significantly from classical computers, necessitating a distinct approach to algorithm design, which involves taming quantum mechanical phenomena. This paper extends the numbering of computable programs to be applied in the quantum computing context. Numbering computable programs is a theoretical computer science concept that assigns unique numbers to individual programs or algorithms. Common methods include Gödel numbering which encodes programs as strings of symbols or characters, often used in formal systems and mathematical logic. Based on the proposed numbering approach, this paper presents a mechanism to explore the set of possible quantum algorithms. The proposed approach is able to construct useful circuits such as Quantum Key Distribution BB84 protocol, which enables sender and receiver to establish a secure cryptographic key via a quantum channel. The proposed approach facilitates the process of exploring and constructing quantum algorithms.
基金2024 Jiangsu Province Youth Science and Technology Talent Support Project2024 Yancheng Key Research and Development Plan(Social Development)projects,“Research and Application of Multi Agent Offline Distributed Trust Perception Virtual Wireless Sensor Network Algorithm”and“Research and Application of a New Type of Fishery Ship Safety Production Monitoring Equipment”。
文摘This paper mainly focuses on the velocity-constrained consensus problem of discrete-time heterogeneous multi-agent systems with nonconvex constraints and arbitrarily switching topologies,where each agent has first-order or second-order dynamics.To solve this problem,a distributed algorithm is proposed based on a contraction operator.By employing the properties of the stochastic matrix,it is shown that all agents’position states could converge to a common point and second-order agents’velocity states could remain in corresponding nonconvex constraint sets and converge to zero as long as the joint communication topology has one directed spanning tree.Finally,the numerical simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
基金This research was funded by the Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant Number 62106283.
文摘Aiming at the problems of low solution accuracy and high decision pressure when facing large-scale dynamic task allocation(DTA)and high-dimensional decision space with single agent,this paper combines the deep reinforce-ment learning(DRL)theory and an improved Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient(MADDPG-D2)algorithm with a dual experience replay pool and a dual noise based on multi-agent architecture is proposed to improve the efficiency of DTA.The algorithm is based on the traditional Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient(MADDPG)algorithm,and considers the introduction of a double noise mechanism to increase the action exploration space in the early stage of the algorithm,and the introduction of a double experience pool to improve the data utilization rate;at the same time,in order to accelerate the training speed and efficiency of the agents,and to solve the cold-start problem of the training,the a priori knowledge technology is applied to the training of the algorithm.Finally,the MADDPG-D2 algorithm is compared and analyzed based on the digital battlefield of ground and air confrontation.The experimental results show that the agents trained by the MADDPG-D2 algorithm have higher win rates and average rewards,can utilize the resources more reasonably,and better solve the problem of the traditional single agent algorithms facing the difficulty of solving the problem in the high-dimensional decision space.The MADDPG-D2 algorithm based on multi-agent architecture proposed in this paper has certain superiority and rationality in DTA.
文摘The advent of microgrids in modern energy systems heralds a promising era of resilience,sustainability,and efficiency.Within the realm of grid-tied microgrids,the selection of an optimal optimization algorithm is critical for effective energy management,particularly in economic dispatching.This study compares the performance of Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO)and Genetic Algorithms(GA)in microgrid energy management systems,implemented using MATLAB tools.Through a comprehensive review of the literature and sim-ulations conducted in MATLAB,the study analyzes performance metrics,convergence speed,and the overall efficacy of GA and PSO,with a focus on economic dispatching tasks.Notably,a significant distinction emerges between the cost curves generated by the two algo-rithms for microgrid operation,with the PSO algorithm consistently resulting in lower costs due to its effective economic dispatching capabilities.Specifically,the utilization of the PSO approach could potentially lead to substantial savings on the power bill,amounting to approximately$15.30 in this evaluation.Thefindings provide insights into the strengths and limitations of each algorithm within the complex dynamics of grid-tied microgrids,thereby assisting stakeholders and researchers in arriving at informed decisions.This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable energy management by offering actionable guidance for the advancement of grid-tied micro-grid technologies through MATLAB-implemented optimization algorithms.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12071370)。
文摘This paper focuses on the problem of leaderfollowing consensus for nonlinear cascaded multi-agent systems.The control strategies for these systems are transformed into successive control problem schemes for lower-order error subsystems.A distributed consensus analysis for the corresponding error systems is conducted by employing recursive methods and virtual controllers,accompanied by a series of Lyapunov functions devised throughout the iterative process,which solves the leaderfollowing consensus problem of a class of nonlinear cascaded multi-agent systems.Specific simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.
文摘This article investigates the time-varying output group formation tracking control(GFTC)problem for heterogeneous multi-agent systems(HMASs)under switching topologies.The objective is to design a distributed control strategy that enables the outputs of the followers to form the desired sub-formations and track the outputs of the leader in each subgroup.Firstly,novel distributed observers are developed to estimate the states of the leaders under switching topologies.Then,GFTC protocols are designed based on the proposed observers.It is shown that with the distributed protocol,the GFTC problem for HMASs under switching topologies is solved if the average dwell time associated with the switching topologies is larger than a fixed threshold.Finally,an example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
基金supported by the National Research and Development Program of China under Grant JCKY2018607C019in part by the Key Laboratory Fund of UAV of Northwestern Polytechnical University under Grant 2021JCJQLB0710L.
文摘This paper proposes a Multi-Agent Attention Proximal Policy Optimization(MA2PPO)algorithm aiming at the problems such as credit assignment,low collaboration efficiency and weak strategy generalization ability existing in the cooperative pursuit tasks of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).Traditional algorithms often fail to effectively identify critical cooperative relationships in such tasks,leading to low capture efficiency and a significant decline in performance when the scale expands.To tackle these issues,based on the proximal policy optimization(PPO)algorithm,MA2PPO adopts the centralized training with decentralized execution(CTDE)framework and introduces a dynamic decoupling mechanism,that is,sharing the multi-head attention(MHA)mechanism for critics during centralized training to solve the credit assignment problem.This method enables the pursuers to identify highly correlated interactions with their teammates,effectively eliminate irrelevant and weakly relevant interactions,and decompose large-scale cooperation problems into decoupled sub-problems,thereby enhancing the collaborative efficiency and policy stability among multiple agents.Furthermore,a reward function has been devised to facilitate the pursuers to encircle the escapee by combining a formation reward with a distance reward,which incentivizes UAVs to develop sophisticated cooperative pursuit strategies.Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in achieving multi-UAV cooperative pursuit and inducing diverse cooperative pursuit behaviors among UAVs.Moreover,experiments on scalability have demonstrated that the algorithm is suitable for large-scale multi-UAV systems.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 6237319in part by the Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province under Grant KYCX230479.
文摘Formation control in multi-agent systems has become a critical area of interest due to its wide-ranging applications in robotics,autonomous transportation,and surveillance.While various studies have explored distributed cooperative control,this review focuses on the theoretical foundations and recent developments in formation control strategies.The paper categorizes and analyzes key formation types,including formation maintenance,group or cluster formation,bipartite formations,event-triggered formations,finite-time convergence,and constrained formations.A significant portion of the review addresses formation control under constrained dynamics,presenting both modelbased and model-free approaches that consider practical limitations such as actuator bounds,communication delays,and nonholonomic constraints.Additionally,the paper discusses emerging trends,including the integration of eventdriven mechanisms and AI-enhanced coordination strategies.Comparative evaluations highlight the trade-offs among various methodologies regarding scalability,robustness,and real-world feasibility.Practical implementations are reviewed across diverse platforms,and the review identifies the current achievements and unresolved challenges in the field.The paper concludes by outlining promising research directions,such as adaptive control for dynamic environments,energy-efficient coordination,and using learning-based control under uncertainty.This review synthesizes the current state of the art and provides a road map for future investigation,making it a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners aiming to advance formation control in multi-agent systems.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants 62476138 and 42375016.
文摘Continuous control protocols are extensively utilized in traditional MASs,in which information needs to be transmitted among agents consecutively,therefore resulting in excessive consumption of limited resources.To decrease the control cost,based on ISC,several LFC problems are investigated for second-order MASs without and with time delay,respectively.Firstly,an intermittent sampled controller is designed,and a sufficient and necessary condition is derived,under which state errors between the leader and all the followers approach zero asymptotically.Considering that time delay is inevitable,a new protocol is proposed to deal with the time-delay situation.The error system’s stability is analyzed using the Schur stability theorem,and sufficient and necessary conditions for LFC are obtained,which are closely associated with the coupling gain,the system parameters,and the network structure.Furthermore,for the case where the current position and velocity information are not available,a distributed protocol is designed that depends only on the sampled position information.The sufficient and necessary conditions for LFC are also given.The results show that second-order MASs can achieve the LFC if and only if the system parameters satisfy the inequalities proposed in the paper.Finally,the correctness of the obtained results is verified by numerical simulations.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62273351 and Grant 62303020.
文摘In recent years,significant research attention has been directed towards swarm intelligence.The Milling behavior of fish schools,a prime example of swarm intelligence,shows how simple rules followed by individual agents lead to complex collective behaviors.This paper studies Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning to simulate fish schooling behavior,overcoming the challenges of tuning parameters in traditional models and addressing the limitations of single-agent methods in multi-agent environments.Based on this foundation,a novel Graph Convolutional Networks(GCN)-Critic MADDPG algorithm leveraging GCN is proposed to enhance cooperation among agents in a multi-agent system.Simulation experiments demonstrate that,compared to traditional single-agent algorithms,the proposed method not only exhibits significant advantages in terms of convergence speed and stability but also achieves tighter group formations and more naturally aligned Milling behavior.Additionally,a fish school self-organizing behavior research platform based on an event-triggered mechanism has been developed,providing a robust tool for exploring dynamic behavioral changes under various conditions.