IEEE recommended practice for industrial agents: integration of software agents and low-level automation functions

Abstract: The recommended practices to solve the interface problem when applying industrial agents, namely, integrating intelligent software agents with low-level automation devices in the context of cyber-physical systems, are described in this recommended practice. In particular, a method to select the best interfacing practice for a given application scenario, defined by the user, from a set of available interfacing templates and technologies, aiming to improve reuse, consistency, and transparency in the integration of industrial agents and low-level control functions, is defined. Scope: This recommended practice describes integrating and deploying the Multi-agent Systems (MAS) technology in industrial environments for use in building the intelligent decision-making layer on top of legacy industrial control platforms. The integration of software agents with the low-level real-time control systems, mainly based on the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) running the IEC 61131-3 control programs (forming in this manner a new component known as industrial agents) are also identified. In addition, the integration of software agents with the control applications based on IEC 61499 standard or executed on embedded controllers is described. This recommended practice supports and helps the engineers leverage the best practices of developing industrial agents for specific automation control problems and given application fields. Therefore, corresponding rules, guidelines and design patterns are provided. Purpose: The recommended practice intends to solve the interface problem when applying industrial agents, namely integrating software agents with automation control level in the context of cyber-physical systems (CPS) (Lee [B11]). The idea is to provide a description of a collection of best practices for the integration process according to the automation use cases and automation control level, aiming to standardize the interface process to allow the reuse and transparency