1. Scope
1.1. This practice covers the performance evaluation of radio (wireless) communications links used for the control and telemetry systems on Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) robots. These performance metrics include physical range (line-of-sight (LOS), non-line-of-sight (NLOS)), and building/rubble/tunnel penetration, effective data capacity at maximum range, susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, link security, and data logging. This protocol provides a basis for performance comparisons among such systems based on these metrics. 1.2. This protocol establishes requirements and measurement methods for specifying and testing the performance of radio (wireless) links used between the control operator station and the working robot. These links include the command and control channel, video, all sensor data telemetry, and other radio-frequency systems. 1.3. The measurement methods in this document are intended to apply to ground based robots. Test protocols for aerial and aquatic robots are not included in this revision. 1.4. This protocol does not apply to systems connected by a wire or optical cable (tether). 1.5. Actual performance specifications and tests for specific systems (e.g. real-time video, sensors, etc) are given in other documents. The communications criteria (distances, measurement bandwidth, etc.) in this document must be used with the systems documents to determine acceptable performance. 1.6. The measurement methods assume systems that require a clear frequency channel will have that available (see 1.7). Systems that utilize protocols capable of multiplexing and can share a common frequency channel will be tested with some level (to be determined) of other activity on the channel, typical of what would exist during an emergency response. 1.7. Frequency coordination and assignments, and interoperability are not addressed except as noted in 1.6. These issues should be resolved by the affected agencies (Fire, Police, Urban Search and Rescue, etc.) and written into the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that guide the response to emergency situations. 1.8. This protocol also establishes minimum electromagnetic interference and compatibility requirements to control unintentional emissions and insure some level of immunity to other radio-frequency sources operating in the vicinity of the robot and control station.
This standard is needed because there currently is no formal way of measuring the wireless communications capabilities for robots applied to urban search and rescue. This standard would be used by federal, state, and local agencies to help them make purchasing decisions. It would also be used by robot manufacturers to better understand the requirements for applying robots in the field.
Keywords
communications; radio; wireless; robots; urban search and rescue
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Citing ASTM Standards
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