A GPS Based Nuclear Radiation Detection Device Training System

Edward Groeber

Abstract:	The US Army has a requirement to train soldiers in the use of nuclear radiation detection devices (Radiacs) to help them survive on a modem battlefield in the event nuclear weapons are employed. A Radiac Training System is also required to train for health and safety tasks such as response to nuclear weapons accidents and the monitoring of depleted uranium after a war is over. The currently fielded training system uses a radio- frequency (RF) transmitter and a simulated doserate meter that functions like a radiac but is, in fact, a radio frequency signal strength meter. The system simulates operation in a typical nuclear fallout field. The readings on the simulated ratemeter are inversely proportional to the distance from the transmitter and the resulting “fallout pattern” can be changed in shape by changing the antenna design. With this approach, however, it is difficult to get reproducible results because of multi-path reflections from power lines, fences, vehicles and the soldier’s body. Receiver antenna orientation and position with respect to the body must be constant to obtain consistent readings. Changing the fallout pattern becomes difficult after certain limits are reached because of power and antenna design considerations. The development of GPS and the continuing reductions in size, weight, power consumption and cost made it possible to consider integrating a position location receiver into a simulated radiacmeter to provide an alternate approach to using RF transmitters and receivers. A prototype system was developed using a commercial GPS receiver and a palm-top computer. Sottware was written to input latitude and longitude from the GPS and to calculate a simulated doserate reading for that position based on a previously input latitude and longitude for “ground zero” (GZ). The prototype was tested by setting GZ to be a known road intersection, mounting the GPS antenna on the roof of car and driving to GZ. The test was succes&l and the resulting “fallout pattern” was a ftir representation of the real situation. This technique has great promise for use in military training for operation on the nuclear battlefield, for operation in peacetime for nuclear weapons accidents and in civilian training for nuclear reactor accidents.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995) September 12 - 15, 1995 Palm Springs, CA
Pages:	1923 - 1926
Cite this article:	Groeber, Edward, "A GPS Based Nuclear Radiation Detection Device Training System," Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995), Palm Springs, CA, September 1995, pp. 1923-1926.
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