Standard Test Method for Evaluating Emergency Response Robot Capabilities: Radio Communication: Line-of-Sight Range

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
A main purpose of using robots in emergency response operations is to enhance the safety and effectiveness of emergency responders operating in hazardous or inaccessible environments. The testing results of the candidate robot shall describe, in a statistically significant way, how reliably the robot is able to perform the specified types of tasks and thus provide emergency responders sufficiently high levels of confidence to determine the applicability of the robot.  
This test method addresses robot performance requirements expressed by emergency responders and representatives from other interested organizations. The performance data captured within this test method are indicative of the testing robot’s capabilities. Having available a roster of successfully tested robots with associated capabilities data to guide procurement and deployment decisions for emergency responders is consistent with the guideline of “Governments at all levels have a responsibility to develop detailed, robust, all-hazards response plans” as stated in National Response Framework.
This test method is part of a test suite and is intended to provide a capability baseline for the robotic communications systems based on the identified needs of the emergency response community. Adequate testing performance will not ensure successful operation in all emergency response environments due to possible extreme communications difficulties. Rather, this standard is intended to provide a common comparison that can aid in choosing appropriate systems. This standard is also intended to encourage development of improved and innovative communications systems for use on emergency response robots.
The standard apparatus is specified to be easily fabricated to facilitate self-evaluation by robot developers and provide practice tasks for emergency responders to exercise robot actuators, sensors, and operator interfaces. The standard apparatus can also be used to support operator training and to establish o...
SCOPE
1.1 Purpose:
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method, as a part of a suite of radio communication test methods, is to quantitatively evaluate a teleoperated robot’s (see Terminology E2521) capability to perform maneuvering and inspection tasks in a line-of-sight environment.  
1.1.2 Robots shall possess a certain set of radio communication capabilities, including performing maneuvering and inspection tasks in a line-of-sight environment, to suit critical operations for emergency responses. The capability for a robot to perform these types of tasks in unobstructed areas down range is critical for emergency response operations. This test method specifies a standard set of apparatuses, procedures, and metrics to evaluate the robot/operator capabilities for performing these tasks.
1.1.3 Emergency response robots shall be able to operate remotely using the equipped radios in line-of-sight (LOS) environments, in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments, and for signal penetration through such impediments as buildings, rubbles, and tunnels. Additional capabilities include operating in the presence of electromagnetic interference and providing link security and data logging. Standard test methods are required to evaluate whether candidate robots meet these requirements.
1.1.4 ASTM E54.08.01 Task Group on Robotics specifies a radio communication test suite, which consists of a set of test methods for evaluating these communication capabilities. This line-of-sight range test method is a part of the radio communication test suite. The apparatuses associated with the test methods challenge specific robot capabilities in repeatable ways to facilitate comparison of different robot models as well as particular configurations of similar robot models.
1.1.5 This test method establishes procedures, apparatuses, and metrics for specifying and testing the capability of radio (wireless) links used between the operator station and the ...

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ASTM E2854-12 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Emergency Response Robot Capabilities: Radio Communication: Line-of-Sight Range
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2854 − 12
Standard Test Method for
Evaluating Emergency Response Robot Capabilities: Radio
1
Communication: Line-of-Sight Range
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2854; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope include the command and control channel(s) and video, audio,
and other sensor data telemetry.
1.1 Purpose:
1.1.6 This test method is intended to apply to ground based
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method, as a part of a suite of
robotic systems and small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS)
radiocommunicationtestmethods,istoquantitativelyevaluate
capable of hovering to perform maneuvering and inspection
a teleoperated robot’s (see Terminology E2521) capability to
tasks down range for emergency response applications.
perform maneuvering and inspection tasks in a line-of-sight
1.1.7 This test method specifies an apparatus that is an
environment.
essentially clear radio frequency channel for testing. Fig. 1
1.1.2 Robots shall possess a certain set of radio communi-
provides an illustration.
cation capabilities, including performing maneuvering and
inspection tasks in a line-of-sight environment, to suit critical
NOTE1—Frequencycoordinationandinteroperabilityarenotaddressed
operations for emergency responses. The capability for a robot
in this standard. These issues should be resolved by the affected agencies
(Fire, Police, and Urban Search and Rescue) and written into the Standard
to perform these types of tasks in unobstructed areas down
Operating Procedures (SOPs) that guide the responses to emergency
range is critical for emergency response operations. This test
situations.
method specifies a standard set of apparatuses, procedures, and
1.1.8 The radio communication test suite quantifies elemen-
metrics to evaluate the robot/operator capabilities for perform-
tal radio communication capabilities necessary for robots
ing these tasks.
intended for emergency response applications. As such, based
1.1.3 Emergency response robots shall be able to operate
on their particular capability requirements, users of this test
remotely using the equipped radios in line-of-sight (LOS)
suite can select only the applicable test methods and can
environments, in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments, and
individually weight particular test methods or particular met-
for signal penetration through such impediments as buildings,
rics within a test method. The testing results should collec-
rubbles, and tunnels. Additional capabilities include operating
tively represent a ground robot’s overall radio communication
in the presence of electromagnetic interference and providing
capability. These test results can be used to guide procurement
link security and data logging. Standard test methods are
specifications and acceptance testing for robots intended for
required to evaluate whether candidate robots meet these
emergency response applications.
requirements.
1.1.4 ASTM E54.08.01 Task Group on Robotics specifies a
NOTE 2—As robotic systems are more widely applied, emergency
radio communication test suite, which consists of a set of test
responders might identify additional or advanced robotic radio commu-
methods for evaluating these communication capabilities. This nication capability requirements to help them respond to emergency
situations. They might also desire to use robots with higher levels of
line-of-sight range test method is a part of the radio commu-
autonomy, beyond teleoperation to help reduce their workload—see NIST
nication test suite. The apparatuses associated with the test
Special Publication 1011-II-1.0. Further, emergency responders in ex-
methods challenge specific robot capabilities in repeatable
panded emergency response domains might also desire to apply robotic
ways to facilitate comparison of different robot models as well
technologies to their situations, a source for new sets of requirements.As
as particular configurations of similar robot models. a result, additional standards within the suite would be developed. This
standard is, nevertheless, standalone and complete.
1.1.5 This test method establishes procedures, apparatuses,
and metrics for specifying and testing the capability of radio
1.2 Performing Location—This test method shall be per-
(wireless) links used between the operator station and the
formed in a testing laboratory or the field where the specified
testing robot in a line-of-sight environment. These links
apparatus and environmental conditions are implemented.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units shall be the stan-
1
This test method is
...

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