Year
1999
Abstract
Remote monitoring is a key element of the new International Atomic Energy Agency strengthened safeguards system. Remote monitoring requires safeguards and surveillance sensors to be networked for continuous unattended collection of information. All information is then concentrated at a central-data collection computer. Monitoring plutonium in bulk handling facilities, such as reprocessing and Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication facilities, uses nondestructive assay neutron instruments installed at key points throughout the facility. These instruments provide continuous measurements that allow the plutonium to be tracked and quantitatively assayed. A critical component in these instruments is te shift register to collect and analyze signals from neutron detectors. A new generation of shift register, called the Advanced Multiplicity Shift Register (AMSR) has been developed by Los Alamos. The AMSR offers the capability ti network unattended neutron instrumentation through ethernet or serial connectins and also, using its front panel controls and display, the capability for attended mode measurements. The AMSR provides data-filtering algorithms, local data backup, and trigger signals for external sensors such as cameras for real-time monitoring. This paper describes the features, capabilities, and performance of the AMSR.