Radiation detection and wireless networked early warning

David A. Burns; Marc S. Litz; James J. Carroll; Dimosthenis Katsis

doi:10.1117/12.918590

24 May 2012 Radiation detection and wireless networked early warning

David A. Burns, Marc S. Litz, James J. Carroll, Dimosthenis Katsis

Proceedings Volume 8388, Unattended Ground, Sea, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications XIV; 83880J (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.918590
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2012, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

We have designed a compact, wireless, GPS-enabled array of inexpensive radiation sensors based on scintillation counting. Each sensor has a scintillator, photomultiplier tube, and pulse-counting circuit that includes a comparator, digital potentiometer and microcontroller. This design provides a high level of sensitivity and reliability. A 0.2 m² PV panel powers each sensor providing a maintenance-free 24/7 energy source. The sensor can be mounted within a roadway light-post and monitor radiological activity along transport routes. Each sensor wirelessly transmits real-time data (as counts per second) up to 2 miles with a XBee radio module, and the data is received by a XBee receive-module on a computer. Data collection software logs the information from all sensors and provides real-time identification of radiation events. Measurements performed to-date demonstrate the ability of a sensor to detect a 20 μCi source at 3.5 meters when packaged with a PVT (plastic) scintillator, and 7 meters for a sensor with a CsI crystal (more expensive but ~5 times more sensitive). It is calculated that the sensor-architecture can detect sources moving as fast as 130 km/h based on the current data rate and statistical bounds of 3-sigma threshold detection. The sensor array is suitable for identifying and tracking a radiation threat from a dirty bomb along roadways.

Citation Download Citation

David A. Burns, Marc S. Litz, James J. Carroll, and Dimosthenis Katsis "Radiation detection and wireless networked early warning", Proc. SPIE 8388, Unattended Ground, Sea, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications XIV, 83880J (24 May 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.918590

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