A DISTRIBUTED FUZZY CONSTRAINT SATISFACTION SYSTEM WITH CONTEXT-BASEDREASONING

This paper presents a fuzzy constraint satisfaction system which can b e used in a distributive environment and, through an example, identifi es contexts which exist within the constraint satisfaction system. The fuzzy constraint satisfaction system utilizes value propagation on co nstraints through the use of formal logic and theorem proving. The sys tem has been designed to work in a distributive environment such that large problems can be broken down into smaller constraint networks for easier processing. Context-based reasoning is identified both within and among constraint networks. The paper begins with the motivation be hind this research, followed by a description of the fuzzy constraint satisfaction system FuzCon. It concludes by identifying three mappings of the context-based reasoning ist operator to fuzzy constraints and by showing an example of designing a printed wiring board. (C) 1998 Ac ademic Press Limited.