Extending the UML Sequence Diagram to Model the Dynamic Aspects of Multi-Agent Systems

In this paper we present the dynamic aspects of multi-agent systems (MASs) based on the definition of their elements and relationships as proposed in the TAO metamodel. TAO is a conceptual framework based on agent and object abstractions that elicits an ontology connecting distinct abstractions such as objects, agents, organizations, roles and environments, and their relationships. The dynamic aspects of a MAS are particularly different from the dynamic aspects of an object-oriented system, since a MAS involves different entities and different relationships between those entities. The dynamic aspects characterize interactions between the elements of multi-agent systems that are related. In order to model the dynamic aspects of MAS we propose extending the UML sequence diagram, introducing new features.