Integrating a Distributed Agent-Based Simulation into an HLA Federation

Distributed agent-based architectures can be used to build powerful models and simulations. Although such architectures can themselves be used as a means of interoperating with other simulations, it can more useful to integrate them into a standard simulation interoperability architecture such as HLA, leveraging the benefits of each. Instances of one such agent-based architecture, Cougaar, have been integrated with other models as federates in HLA federations. Cougaar is a Java-based architecture for the construction of robust large-scale distributed agent-based applications. It has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of using advanced agent-based technology to conduct rapid, large scale, distributed logistics planning, execution, and replanning in extremely chaotic environments in DARPA's Advanced Logistics Program and UltraLog Program, and to demonstrate effective analysis of logistics support for an FCS Unit of Action in the Army's Future Combat Systems program. This paper describes how a Cougaar-based agent society modeling a small logistics supply network was integrated as a federate in V1.3 and 1516 HLA federations. It describes how to interface the society and the HLA RTI; how to synchronize society time with HLA RTI time; and how to map agents, objects, and actions in the society to HLA objects and interactions. The lessons learned in this demonstration integration effort can be applied to large-scale efforts, such as integrating large Cougaar-based logistics simulations with combat simulations (e.g., OneSAF).