Advancing the State-of-the-Art in Unattended Safeguards Systems Through Wireless Communication Technology

Safeguards instruments capable of wireless RF and Ethernet VPN data transmission are being demonstrated as a means to push the state-of-the-art in unattended and remote safeguards systems while reducing in-plant installation cost and inspection efforts, both of which can reduce the burden on facility operations. Wireless unattended systems can enable remote requests for instrument data, remote operation of safeguards sensors, and two-way communications between the inspector and the sensor. These new capabilities for system operation, assessment, and analysis provide an additional avenue for remote and near real-time safeguards assessments of facility operations. While these systems are under development for safeguards use, the opportunity exists for collaborative studies between interested parties (e.g. facility operators, SSACs, IAEA) to design systems with simplicity, reliability, and standardization in mind, as well as a reduction in overall system cost. Such studies should also identify, analyze, and overcome potential vulnerabilities that may be present with these new communications avenues. The NNSA supports bilateral and multilateral exchanges on the uses of advanced technologies, such as wireless communications, in safeguards and promotes their use in the development of new unattended and remote safeguards instrumentation.