Development of Microcontroller-Based System for Background Radiation Monitoring

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Radiation exposure poses long-term health risks, including cancer and genetic mutations, affecting current and future generations.
• The availability of radiometers and dosimeters has improved radiation safety, but continuous monitoring systems are crucial for immediate threat detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reliable microcontroller-based radiation monitoring system.
• To provide real-time radiation dose accumulation and alarm functionalities.
• To enhance emergency response capabilities for radiation safety.

Main Methods:

• Design and implementation of a microcontroller electronic circuit for radiation monitoring.
• Development of an operational algorithm and software for the ATmega328P microcontroller on an Arduino Uno board.
• Integration of alarm signals for exceeding equivalent dose rates and accumulator charge control.

Main Results:

• A functional microcontroller-based radiation monitoring system was successfully developed.
• The system accurately determines accumulated radiation doses over time.
• The system provides timely alarm signals when radiation dose rates exceed safety thresholds.

Conclusions:

• The developed system offers a reliable solution for monitoring radiation levels and ensuring public safety.
• Real-time monitoring and rapid alarm capabilities are essential for mitigating radiation risks.
• Microcontroller-based systems provide a cost-effective and efficient approach to radiation safety.