Low-cost wireless smart device design for radiation protection and nuclear security

Abstract

This article presents the realization and implementation of a low-cost intelligent electronic device, which detects the ambient dose rate of Gamma and Beta ionizing radiation in real-time. Developed according to the principle of nuclear analog signal processing, the device uses a Geiger-Müller tube detector, in which the electronic circuit has been readjusted to produce the standard radiation protection signal (a slow positive logic pulses). It also consists of low-cost components such as the Atmega328P microcontroller board and XBee wireless modules for environmental radiation and nuclear security monitoring. The proposed device has several advantages, namely low energy consumption, low-cost, easily deployable in the field (in-situ), adapted for real-time measurements and data transmission to a remote personal computer (PC). After calibration using Cesium (137Cs), a comparative analysis of the data obtained from the proposed dosimeter was carried out with those of an in-situ gamma spectrometry chain (reference method) previously used at the same place and under the same conditions. This analysis gave an acceptable mean value of 64.30 nGy/h, of the proposed device, compared to that of the gamma spectrometer, which is 50.67 nGy/h. The prototype thus developed is simple, precise, and made for radiation protection.

Real-time environmental radiation monitoring based on locally developed low-cost device and unmanned aerial vehicle

“…The second calibration of this device was also carried out in the laboratory using a Cs-137 calibration source of gamma rays of electromagnetic energy 661.6 keV using the principles described in [12,26].…”

“…Such solutions are possible through the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) where sensing can be performed in real-time, big data collected, and high spatial resolution established to provide valuable information to the directly exposed population [8]- [11]. As a result, Mbarndouka et al, [12] have designed and developed a low-cost electronic device for detecting gamma and beta radiation for real-time assessment of ambient dose rates. Thus, several other discoveries have been made based on the use of Geiger-Muller detector and other electronic components or modules to assess in real-time the ambient dose rate [13]- [15].…”