A GPS-enabled wireless sensor network for monitoring radioactive materials

This paper presents a solution of nuclear radiation monitoring based on GPS-enabled wireless sensor network. The proposed nuclear radiation detection node keeps minimum size while ensuring the functions of communication, sensing, localization and calculation. The nodes are convenient to be installed indoors or outdoors, as well as to be mounted on mobile equipments. Multi-node topology is adopted among the nuclear radiation detection nodes with ZigBee multi-hop mesh routing protocol for communication, and acquisition data are transmitted to the client tier through wireless communication. Additionally, the graphic user interface combines with the navigational function based on digital map. The node position can be easily marked on the map by retrieving in situ GPS data from the monitoring area. In case of the position change of the node, it will update its position on the digital map automatically. The scheme supports both the continuous and the intermittent measurement mode. It can also apply a sleep mechanism to the nuclear radiation terminal nodes to minimize power consumption by using multiple timers, which will ultimately improve the lifetime of the whole system. The system has been put into the actual test application, and it will be used to protect various large-scale stadiums and public areas from potential radioactive dangers.