ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Evaluating Emergency Response Robot Capabilities: Radio Communication: Line-of-Sight Range
 N E2854

Annotation

Purpose:

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.

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.

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.

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.