A Multi-Agent Architecture to Increase Coordination Efficiency in Multi-AUV Operations

This research addresses the problem of coordinating multiple autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) operations. An architecture has been created that uses multi-agent technology to control and coordinate multiple AUVs in communication deficient environments. By incorporating a simple broadcast communication system in conjunction with real time vehicle prediction this architecture can handle the limitations inherent in underwater operations and intelligently control multiple vehicles. In this research efficiency in terms of mission speed, battery life, communication robustness and goal redundancy is evaluated and then compared to the current state of the art in multiple AUV control.