April 27th, 2015 - Berkeley Nucleonics - RD-150-G Vehicle-Mounted Radiation Detection System (VMRDS)

Berkeley Nucleonics is releasing the Model RD-150-G at the Annual HPS (Health Physics Society) Conference in Baltimore in July, 2015. The new Vehicle-Mounted Radiation Detection System (VMRDS) provides a wide range of nuclear detection functionality in a clandestine and convenient operational mode. Medium-resolution, large volume sensitive nuclear detectors coupled with the latest electronic designs and identification algorithms give end users a complete, turn-key detection system in a flexible package. The modern electronics include N42, Reachback support, GPS, image capture and many other user features not available elsewhere.

“The flexible nature of the large volume detection and identification system lends itself to applications that need to quickly change vehicles, move monitoring locations or adjusts to pedestrian pinch-points”, comments Allan Gonzalez, BNC Nuclear Products Manager. “Typical large volume systems require complex installations, but the RD-150 can be quickly repositioned…and the App is amazing!”

The RD-150-G is a feature-packed Isotope Identifier with a built-in battery for complete independence and remote applications. The easily removable water-resistant system can be integrated into vehicles of all kinds for long periods without issues. The interface to the trunk unit uses a tablet with BNC’s identification and logging application, PeakGo. The app enables the user to view dose rates, spectra, ID and confidence level in a covert manner (visual alarm, vibrate mode and earphones).

The large volume NaI detector with special matching PMT and an optimized electronics calibration process ensures a highly sensitive system ideal for searching out orphaned sources, radiological contamination or illicit nuclear activity. The RD-150-G is the first truly portable Vehicle/Mobile system that can be rotated in minutes between boats, cars, vans, cranes or other mobile installations. Features like continual mapping and dose correlation functions within the PeakGo App solve many requirements for baseline measurements or identifying anomalies in low level radiation. For more specific applications, users may modify the PeakGo App to address only certain isotopes, custom libraries + unknowns, or other NORM considerations. Aerial monitoring applications will appreciate the sensitive GPS coordinates married to the corresponding radiation data acquired.

Typical vehicle installations are subject to false triggers due to changes in background. Large commercial vehicles passing by or changes in the local environment and building structures do not confuse the RD-150-G. The ultra-fast microprocessor is automatically updating the subtraction of changing ambient background in real time. This feature also eliminates the need to stop and store new backgrounds during surveillance and remediation mapping activities.

When monitoring highly active waste or SNM the RD-150-G can be remotely controlled at a safe distance (bluetooth control of over 20 feet) with the smart device. This includes taking multiple acquisitions, manipulating spectra and saving data. In this way ALARA safety practices are easily accomplished.

Many cell phone features are intuitive allowing users to quickly adapt to touch screen use. Features such as taking a picture and adding text describing details of the measurement can be appended to the report and spectrum.

This robust and reliable product has many first-ever features. The display has excellent linearity and resolution with color-coded spectra/classification and one-finger operation of the cursor. Many automated features include calibration, stabilization, sigma trigger and storage of data (over ten thousand spectra including user notes). Sigma trigger allows unmanned vehicles, robots or drones to carry the system in and out of elevated backgrounds while maintaining the ability to pick up and identify alarms based on peak detection. A NORM background that increases won’t mask the presence of lower level isotopes of concern.

Packaging

The RD-150-G is contained in a ruggedized enclosure which is shock proof and water proof. The enclosure can be carried in a customized backpack or placed in a strategic place for monitoring at a distance (e.g., entrance to a building or stadium). The customized trunk case is provided giving a total weight of less than 45 lbs.

Specifications 

• Detectors: 2x4x16 NaI or 4x4x16 NaI, System Configuration (up to 4 detectors)                                                                                                    

                    GM-tube for extended dose rates 

• Digital signal processing to >150 Kcps
• ID response: Real-time (1-2 seconds)
• Low power: Rechargeable Li-ion batteries for 8 hour continuous operation
• RD-150-G Weight: 20 Kg, easily transported, wheeled IP-65 enclosure
• Dose rate: 1 nSv/h to 100 mSv/h (100 nrem/h to 10 rem/h)
• Radionuclide gamma energy response: 20 to 3000 keV
• User Operating Modes: Clandestine, Standard
• Automated detector calibration and stabilization
• Report can include: Picture, video, text/voice and GPS
• N42.34 and N42.42 compliant

For more details see the RD-150-G Youtube Video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDiURYL6bYc

About: Berkeley Nucleonics is a leader in instruments for nuclear detection. We manufacture state-of-the-art Isotope Identifiers and offer many types of nuclear detection materials. We work with scintillators and solid-state detectors and combine gamma and neutron analysis. We started in 1963 offering nuclear electronics for MCA developments.