Year
2004
Abstract
A mobile radiation detection system has been designed, assembled and tested. The modular system uses wireless communication to send radiation event messages to a distant command post. The sensor node detects the event using a pair of large NaI detectors for detecting and identifying gamma emission from the source. Information about the event is transmitted via radio or other wireless communication to the command post, where a laptop display exhibits the GPS location of the event and a message window showing the radioisotope identified and other information. The complete system is contained in a few rugged carrying cases, and can be set up at a location and ready for operation in less than a half-hour. As an example of performance, the sensor node mounted in an SUV beside a road has detected, identified, and reported a source of tens of µCi driven by at 70 mph. The platform (SensorView™ by RTI) permits numerous sensors communicating with the command post, although at this time only the NaI detector is being used. A compact neutron-detecting module, based on an efficient He-3 tube array, will be added to the sensor node in the future.