A multi agent method for cell formation with uncertain situation, based on information theory

Abstract

This paper assumes the cell formation problem as a distributed decision network. It proposes an approach based on application and extension of information theory concepts, in order to analyze informational complexity in an agent- based system, due to interdependence between agents. Based on this approach, new quantitative concepts and definitions are proposed in order to measure the amount of the information in an agent, based on Shannon entropy and its complement in possibility theory, U uncertainty. The paper presents an agent-based model of production system as a graph composed of decision centers. The application of the proposed approach is in analyzing and assessing a measure to the production system structure efficiency, based on informational communication view. Information flow in cells and grouping algorithm are investigated in this paper.