Resource Constrained Electronics and Signal Processing for UAV Radiation Sensors

¹ Department of Industrial and Civil Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
² Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy

^* andrea.chierici@ing.unipi.it

Published online: 21 November 2023

Abstract

This paper details the development of an inexpensive, power-efficient, and lightweight radiation detection system specifically designed for deployment on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The system addresses the need for swift, remote radiation detection capabilities during radiological and nuclear emergencies, a demand emphasized by events such as the Fukushima accident in 2011. The design is based on readily accessible components, which lessens reliance on costly, specialized hardware like FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The proposed system comprises two types of detectors: inorganic scintillators, specifically CsI:tl and GAGG:ce, paired with Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for gamma-ray detection, and solid-state detectors provided with a ⁶Li converter for thermal neutron detection. These detectors operate independently, increasing redundancy and system reliability. The system’s performance, evaluated through extensive testing, has shown significant improvements in linearity and noise characteristics over previous iterations. Beyond its primary function in emergency response, the system could find applicability in diverse fields such as environmental radiation monitoring, geological surveys, industrial inspections, and scientific research.