Abstract
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), together with the miniaturisation of computers, sensors, and electronics, offer new remote sensing applications. However, there is a lack of hardware and software support to effectively develop the potential of UASs in different remote sensing applications, such as the detection of radioactive sources. This paper presents the design, development and validation of a UAS for the detection of an uncontrolled and point radioactive source. The article describes a flexible and reusable software architecture for detecting the radioactive source (NaTcO 4 , containing 99 m Tc) with a gamma-ray Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) spectrometer as a proof of concept. The UAS is equipped with multichannel air-ground communications to perform missions beyond line of sight and onboard computation to process samples in real time and thus react to any anomaly detected during the mission. An ad hoc ground control station (GCS) has also been developed for the correct interpretation of the radioactive samples taken by the UAS. Radiological spectra plots, contour mapping and waterfall plots are some of the elements used in the ad hoc GCS. The article shows the results obtained in a flight campaign performing different flights at different altitudes and speeds over the radiological source, demonstrating the viability of the system.
Highlights
Current Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology offers feasible technical solutions for airframes, autopilots, communications and base stations [1]
Even remote sensing in dangerous situations is seen as possible because the human factor onboard the airborne platform is no longer present. This is the case of radiological incidents; UASs are suitable platforms since they allow us to obtain a mapping of a contaminated area without risking any human life
When we want to exchange a new message in RPAS Mission Management Architecture (RIMA) between services, we describe that message in Interactive Data Language (IDL), which is based in XML
Summary
Current Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology offers feasible technical solutions for airframes, autopilots, communications and base stations [1]. UASs are slowly becoming efficient platforms that can be applied to scientific/commercial remote sensing applications [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Even remote sensing in dangerous situations is seen as possible because the human factor onboard the airborne platform is no longer present. This is the case of radiological incidents; UASs are suitable platforms since they allow us to obtain a mapping of a contaminated area without risking any human life. A UAS allows radiological measures to be carried out in areas of difficult access where people and vehicles could not access. Compared to measurements with manned helicopters, a UAS has much better spatial resolution
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
