Radioactive target detection using wireless sensor network

Abstract

The detection of radioactive target is becoming more important recently in public safety and national security. By using the physical law for nuclear radiation isotopes, this chapter proposes a statistical method for wireless sensor network data to detect and locate a hidden nuclear target in a large study area. The method assumes multiple radiation detectors have been used as sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network. Radiation counts have been observed by sensors and each is composed of a radiation signal plus a radiation background. By considering the physical properties of radiation signal and background, the proposed method can simultaneously detect and locate the radioactive target in the area. Our simulation results have shown that the proposed method is effective and efficient in detection and location of the nuclear radioactive target. This research will have wide applications in the nuclear safety and security problems. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.