# Presentation: 076265

##  Radiation Detection with Distributed Sensor Networks

**Diana Jackson, Columbia University**** Angela Mielke, Mentor **Los Alamos National LaboratoryInternational, Space, and Response Technologies Division (ISR-3)

** ****Radiation Detection with Distributed Sensor Networks**

- + Little/No processing at sensor level
- + Raw data available at CPS
- - Possible single-point failures
- - Possible long range communications
- - Potentially large computational               requirements of CPS
- - Lack of ability to scale up in sensor number

- + Collective computation capability
- + Self organizing/ Self healing
- + CPS absent
- + Fault tolerant
- + Large number of sensors
- -  Complex sensor/network design

-  Configurable boards
-  Contains a sensor/processor/radio platform
-  Generates data on vehicular presence

- This type of sensor network offers many advantages over the portal monitors used today for radiation detection.  It is more cost efficient by using low-cost, low-efficiency radiation detectors as opposed to the relatively expensive portal monitor sensors.  Unlike these portal systems, the sensor network does not interfere with traffic by causing vehicles to slow down to at least 10 mph.  Hence, there is a thicker layer of transparency.  This type of network is easily deployable and covers  a wide range depending on the number of sensors in use.    The DSN is on schedule to be tested and demonstrated in the near future.  Based on results that were obtained from a simulated environment, we expect the network to prove equivalence and even superiority over the portal monitor systems.

- My part of this project was to  develop the software that would be used to handle the radiation detection data.  To effectively do this, the code was separated into two parts: serial data and network data.

**Approved for release under LA-UR-04-5429.**

**Network Code**
-  Uses socket connections to bind to port
-  Listens for and parses incoming packets
-  Process timestamp information
-  Sends a return packet back

-  Generate background radiation measurements
-  Compiled as average and standard deviation
-  Generates baseline threshold to be able to signal when vehicle has a count    higher than threshold value

-  Forward sensors cue radiation detectors
-  Detection based on magnetic fluctuations
-  Broadcast as timestamped report when threshold values are exceeded
-  Each detector uses mote timestamp to measure counts per second
-  Last node sums values, calculate a threshold from noise statistics, and determine whether total exceeds threshold
-  If threshold is exceeded, notification is sent through proper channels to ensure human intervention

**Serial Code**
-  Reads in bytes from serial port
-  Sets timer to go off every second at specified intervals to   calculate standard deviation and average radiation levels

- Both pieces of code interact with each other to provide necessary information needed to calculate measurements.   The program is run on each Sharp Zaurus.

**Disclaimer: **
- This work was supported by the University of California, operator of the Los Alamos National Laboratory under Contract No. W-7405-ENG-36 with the U.S. Department of Energy.  The U.S. Government has rights to use, reproduce, and distribute this information.  The public may copy and use publicly released information without charge, provided that this Notice and any statement of authorship are reproduced on all copies.  Neither the Government nor the University makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any liability or responsibility for the use of this information.