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PUBLICATIONS

A Test Method for Measuring Response Robot Performance Under Attenuated Radio Conditions

Published

Author(s)

Kenneth E. Kimble, Richard Candell, Kamel S. Saidi

Abstract

Emergency and disaster situations are unavoidable. Earthquakes, severe weather, bomb threats, and war are an unfortunate reality. Firefighters, bomb technicians, and urban search and rescue specialists are the first to respond in emergency situations. These first responders risk their lives where remotely operated robots would be more suited for the dangers. Emergency response robots are designed for remote operation implying a wireless connection between the controller and robot. The performance of the wireless communication connection between controller and robot is typically non-ideal. Reflective and absorptive properties of the operational environment and interference degrade the communication system limiting range, reliability, and timeliness. An affordable and effective method for evaluating the performance of emergency response robots under specific attenuated radio conditions is proposed in this paper. The method may be useful for standardization activities currently being pursued by the ASTM International Standards Committee on Homeland Security Applications.
Citation
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 8243
Report Number
8243
NIST Pub Series
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8243

Keywords

Radio attenuation, Radio communication, Decibel (dB), test method, Operator Control Unit (OCU), Path loss, attenuator
Advanced communications and Wireless (RF)

Citation

Kimble, K. , Candell, R. and Saidi, K. (2019), A Test Method for Measuring Response Robot Performance Under Attenuated Radio Conditions, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8243 (Accessed October 10, 2025)

Issues

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Created May 21, 2019
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