The KRAFT architecture for knowledge fusion and transformation

This paper describes the Knowledge Reuse And Fusion/Transformation (KRAFT) architecture which supports the fusion of knowledge from multiple, distribu ted, heterogeneous sources. The architecture uses constraints as a common k nowledge interchange format, expressed against a common ontology. Knowledge held in local sources can be transformed into a common constraint language , and fused with knowledge from other sources. The fused knowledge is then used to solve some problem or deliver some information to a user. Problem s olving in KRAFT typically exploits pre-existing constraint solvers. KRAFT u ses an open and flexible agent architecture in which knowledge sources, kno wledge fusing entities and users are all represented by independent KRAFT a gents, communicating using a messaging protocol. Facilitator agents perform matchmaking and brokerage services between the various kinds of agent. KRA FT is being applied to an example application in the domain of network data services design. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.