Radiation detection and situation management by distributed sensor networks

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2009

OSTI ID:962346

Jan, Frigo ^[1]; Mielke, Angela ^[1]; Cai, D Michael ^[1]

---

1. Los Alamos National Laboratory

Detection of radioactive materials in an urban environment usually requires large, portal-monitor-style radiation detectors. However, this may not be a practical solution in many transport scenarios. Alternatively, a distributed sensor network (DSN) could complement portal-style detection of radiological materials through the implementation of arrays of low cost, small heterogeneous sensors with the ability to detect the presence of radioactive materials in a moving vehicle over a specific region. In this paper, we report on the use of a heterogeneous, wireless, distributed sensor network for traffic monitoring in a field demonstration. Through wireless communications, the energy spectra from different radiation detectors are combined to improve the detection confidence. In addition, the DSN exploits other sensor technologies and algorithms to provide additional information about the vehicle, such as its speed, location, class (e.g. car, truck), and license plate number. The sensors are in-situ and data is processed in real-time at each node. Relevant information from each node is sent to a base station computer which is used to assess the movement of radioactive materials.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 962346
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-09-01503; LA-UR-09-1503
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ALGORITHMS
COMMUNICATIONS
COMPUTERS
DETECTION
ENERGY SPECTRA
IMPLEMENTATION
MANAGEMENT
MONITORING
PLATES
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
TRANSPORT
VELOCITY