Smart sensors for environmental radiation monitoring networks

This paper presents the design and implementation of smart radiation sensors that allow automatic integration and configuration in environmental monitoring networks containing heterogeneous sensors. The design of two most frequently used ionizing radiation detectors Geiger-Muller (GM) detector and ionization chamber are discussed. Smart radiation sensors are designed in compliance with IEEE 1451.4 standard, which enables automatic sensor identification and configuration based on transducer electronic data sheets (TEDS). Since IEEE 1451.4 standard does not specify TEDS templates for radiation sensors, new TEDS templates suitable for GM detectors and ionization chambers are proposed. Smart sensors are connected into the monitoring network using a low-cost Network Capable Application Processor (NCAP) compatible with IEEE 1451.0 standard.