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Distributed reinforcement learning approach based on game consensus for heterogeneous multi-agent systems

He Xingyua,b
Gao Jina
Yang Guisonga
a. School of Optical-Electrical & Computer Engineering, b. College of Publishing, University of Shanghai for Science & Technology, Shanghai 200093, China

Abstract

In existing heterogeneous multi-agent distributed reinforcement learning methods, existing heterogeneous multi-agent distributed reinforcement learning methods cannot fully depict the different characteristics between heterogeneous agents through unified state and action space definitions, which restricts the realization of adaptive competition and complementarity within the task environment. However, differentiated state and action space definitions bring new challenges to consensus among heterogeneous agents. To achieve collaborative work among heterogeneous multi-agent systems in a vehicle-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) heterogeneous cooperative scenario, we propose a distributed reinforcement learning method based on game consensus for heterogeneous multi-agent systems. In this method, to achieve adaptive energy complementarity between vehicles and UAVs, we define a hierarchical action policy network for UAVs, distinct from that of vehicles. Its upper-layer action enables adaptively switching between task execution and charging behaviors of UAVs, and its lower-layer action selects the vehicles that can assist the charging of UAVs. Further, to leverage the differentiated competitive advantages of vehicles and UAVs under traffic congestion, we design a game consensus mechanism based on the GS (Gale-Shapley) algorithm. In this mechanism, we define incentive factors related to congestion parameters to guide the differentiated task competition between vehicles and UAVs. Based on these incentive factors, we compute the estimated cost on tasks to optimize both cost and efficiency. The experimental results show that, compared to existing methods, the proposed method can reduce the average time to complete tasks by 7.58% and decrease the average energy consumption of agents by 10.05%, thus having advantages in efficiency and energy consumption.

Foundation Support

国家自然科学基金资助项目(61602305,61802257)
上海市自然科学基金资助项目(18ZR1426000,19ZR1477600)
南通市科技局社会民生计划资助项目(MS12021060)
浦东新区科技发展基金产学研专项资助项目(PKX2021-D10)
敏捷智能计算四川省重点实验室开放式基金资助项目

Publish Information

DOI: 10.19734/j.issn.1001-3695.2025.01.0024
Publish at: Application Research of Computers Accepted Paper, Vol. 42, 2025 No. 9

Publish History

[2025-05-07] Accepted Paper

Cite This Article

何杏宇, 高锦, 杨桂松. 基于博弈共识的异构多智能体分布式强化学习方法 [J]. 计算机应用研究, 2025, 42 (9). (2025-05-27). https://doi.org/10.19734/j.issn.1001-3695.2025.01.0024. (He Xingyu, Gao Jin, Yang Guisong. Distributed reinforcement learning approach based on game consensus for heterogeneous multi-agent systems [J]. Application Research of Computers, 2025, 42 (9). (2025-05-27). https://doi.org/10.19734/j.issn.1001-3695.2025.01.0024. )

About the Journal

  • Application Research of Computers Monthly Journal
  • Journal ID ISSN 1001-3695
    CN  51-1196/TP

Application Research of Computers, founded in 1984, is an academic journal of computing technology sponsored by Sichuan Institute of Computer Sciences under the Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province.

Aiming at the urgently needed cutting-edge technology in this discipline, Application Research of Computers reflects the mainstream technology, hot technology and the latest development trend of computer application research at home and abroad in a timely manner. The main contents of the journal include high-level academic papers in this discipline, the latest scientific research results and major application results. The contents of the columns involve new theories of computer discipline, basic computer theory, algorithm theory research, algorithm design and analysis, blockchain technology, system software and software engineering technology, pattern recognition and artificial intelligence, architecture, advanced computing, parallel processing, database technology, computer network and communication technology, information security technology, computer image graphics and its latest hot application technology.

Application Research of Computers has many high-level readers and authors, and its readers are mainly senior and middle-level researchers and engineers engaged in the field of computer science, as well as teachers and students majoring in computer science and related majors in colleges and universities. Over the years, the total citation frequency and Web download rate of Application Research of Computers have been ranked among the top of similar academic journals in this discipline, and the academic papers published are highly popular among the readers for their novelty, academics, foresight, orientation and practicality.


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