Toward an Embedded Multi-agent System Methodology and Positioning on Testing

Abstract

Like all systems, multi-agent systems need to be verified during the design cycle. But the test of multi-agent systems is more diffi-cult than the test of classic software. Indeed, it implies to test more than agent functionalities: individual agent behavior, inter-action between agents and global system need to be tested. Sever-al testing methods compensate these difficulties, but do not cover all the aspects of multi-agent systems. In this paper, we compare software testing and multi-agent systems testing and particularly in embedded context. Then major multi-agent system testing techniques are analyzed, with the AEIO facets for multi-agent systems. Finally, we propose a strategy to conduct the testing activity for embedded MAS.