Integrated radiation detection systems

By ICx Technologies

Monitoring of public areas and portals for the presence of illicit radioactive materials with Stride™ technology.

The Problem
According to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the threat of nuclear terrorism will continue to represent two of the most serious threats facing the United States and the international community. While the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal provides the ultimate guarantee of our overarching national security, the end of the Cold War weakened the security of other nations’ nuclear stockpiles. As a result, it has become possible for illicit nuclear materials to find there way into the hands of rogue nations and terrorist groups around the world. Some extremist groups have and do seek out weapons of mass destruction as a method through which they can enact a campaign of terror.

“The U.S. and its allies face a threat from violent extremists and other non-state actors who receive support from states that seek to use them as proxies. Some violent extremist groups seek WMD for use in their acts of terrorism.”

- NNSA Strategic Planning Guidance for 2010-2014, April 2008

As a part of their priorities, the NNSA and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seek to enhance monitoring efforts at customs and border sites and improve detection capabilities for undeclared WMD activities worldwide. Since September 11, 2001, it has been seen that WMDs continue to evolve and adapt, and present a significant security threat. Appropriate detection and identification systems are necessary to effectively defeat and/or deter this threat. Such systems must be able to recognize both the presence and the movement of radioactive material across borders, into government buildings, and at large public gatherings or events.

If a terrorist organization succeeds in obtaining nuclear materials with the intent to use it as part of a WMD, the threat will most likely come in the form of a small, portable device, transported by an individual. Detecting such an attack requires specific equipment with highly sensitive, accurate detection and identification capabilities.

Stride™ Technology
To meet this need, ICx Technologies developed the Stride detection units and systems to monitor public areas and portals for the presence of illicit radioactive materials. Stride systems can be openly or covertly installed in building entrances, at airports, bus or train stations, above or beside luggage and freight conveyer belts, by stadium entrances, ship ports as well as any other similar location which maintains a heightened threat risk. These systems can not only detect a radioactive source, but, dependent upon the amount of material present and the pace of the transporter, can also properly identify the radionuclides involved within just a few seconds. Stride classifies the type of material as medical, industrial, naturally occurring or special nuclear material. In addition, the system will specify whether the material is an innocent, suspicious or threat alarm as well as identify the specific isotope(s) involved. All this information is relayed to a command and control center and security personnel through visible or audible annunciators.

Stride technology is comprised of a digital signal processor based spectrometer, proprietary stabilization methodology, and powerful detection and identification algorithms. The same ICx technology is currently deployed in thousands of ICx radioactive isotope identification devices (RIIDs) and advanced spectroscopic portals.

The stable platform inherent in all Stride devices allows data to be summed for either identification purposes or to locate the source. Multiple units deployed in a single facility enhances the detection capabilities of the system and allows both identification and location processes to happen simultaneously.

Stride™ Systems
Stride detection units from ICx Technologies provide extremely sensitive and accurate area surveillance for radionuclides. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and features for nearly any application and can be installed behind security counters, in doorways, along hallways, within standard crowd control stanchions and countless other locations where there is concern over the uncontrolled movement of radioactive materials.

The Stride family of products can be set up to meet location specific detection and identification needs. From a basic, stand-alone monitoring system to a complex, highly integrated monitoring solution, all Stride units can provide ‘on-the-fly’ categorization and identification of a radioactive source. Due to the nature of the detection and identification technology, any Stride system can identify the radionuclide and also categorize the found source as innocent, suspicious or threatening. In addition, the system is able to classify the source as medical, naturally occurring, industrial or special nuclear material. As a result, a suspect terrorist is unable to allege that the system is actually detecting a nuclear medicine source or the results of recent radiation therapy.

The concept behind the Stride systems is to provide a scalable monitoring network. With several varieties of detection units, the in-place system is expandable, mobile and flexible enough to meet any security scenario. A number of different detectors, alarm indicators and displays can be integrated in order to provide a complete solution. Through an easily networked client-server package, the system can be tied into existing communications protocols and alarms can even be sent wirelessly to any number of PDAs.

Stride units integrated into a facility can be installed to address the varying measurement needs at specific points in a security network. The units can be mixed and matched in an existing network as required to meet application needs. Dependent upon the type of device, Stride units allow for unattended operation through Ethernet or battery power. A key benefit of any Stride installation is that neither spectroscopy knowledge nor training is required to effectively operate the system or interpret the gathered data. The enhanced detection and identification algorithms significantly reduce false alarms and nuisance events. At its core, the system is easy to use and provides rapid detection with real time identification.

All Stride detection units have several things in common. A typical detection unit consists of a NaI scintillation detector for gamma radiation detection; DSP (digital signal processor) based electronics with source or LED stabilization; a multi-channel pulse height analyzer; a K 40 source in the form of KCl for calibration verification and at times, stabilization; mains, battery or PoE (Power over Ethernet) power; and a data and control communication method. An optional He 3 neutron detector and high doserate GM detector are available as well as wireless communication with rechargeable battery power. All of this is housed in a single, sealed unit for a “black box” approach to installation.

Stride Detection Units

Communications Interface
No matter the detection unit or the integration method, all of the system integration and data processing is done by the Stride server software. This is a ‘faceless’ software package communicating with detection units and clients via network connections. Various levels of functionality are available with different server software packages.

Stride Basic software controls alarm protocols, communicates with the detection unit and allows the unit to be run in the background with no visible indication on a computer screen. This Basic software provides data in XML format and can be easily integrated into an OEM software package.

Stride ID software extends the capabilities of the Basic software and combines the data output from two or more detection units in order to enhance the identification capability. Advanced algorithms provide expanded classification and identification of specific isotopes. In the event of an alarm, a brief isotope description is provided to all security personnel to more appropriately respond to a given situation.

Stride View software receives the data from the server and allows it to be displayed on a computer screen. This information can be accessed either on a PC or a PDA and can be configured to view an individual or combination of detection units. Stride View provides two levels of operation. In “simple” operation, a basic user can access alarm and identification information easily. A detection alert is classified as innocent, suspicious or threat and the isotope is clearly identified. The advanced screen allows more knowledgeable users to access spectrum and does rate information. In addition to identifications, this screen displays the spectrum accumulated during an alarm and instantaneous background spectrum under normal conditions. Specific count and dose rate information are also displayed.

The Stride web interface allows live data to be viewed through a website. The web server embedded in the detection unit allows users to view instrument information, such as serial number and software version, as well as download updates. The website displays dose and count rate information as well as real, live and dead time.

Integration Methodologies
With several detection unit and communication options, the Stride series of radionuclide detection units can be easily integrated into a variety of different security scenarios. In any case, the units can be emplaced completely covertly and do not require any significant changes to the transit path of persons using or traveling through the facility. When multiple units are utilized, data can be summed which enhances sensitivity, lowering detection limits to extremely small amounts of radioactive material. In addition, such emplacements only require one neutron capable detection unit, providing a level of cost effectiveness which matches the security risk.

One basic method of integrating Stride systems into a facility is to place several Series 200 basic detection units into the door frames of an existing building entrance. In this scenario, persons utilizing the facility would never notice a change or realize the heightened level of security on the premises. With a combination of Stride software, identification of a detected radioactive source could happen within seconds while security personnel are being notified of the alarm on their PDAs and in a command center.

Other methods include replacing some standard crowd control stanchions within an already declared security lane with stanchion detection units. By outward appearance, the detection units look identical to every other stanchion. Again, this allows security professionals to covertly increase the level of security at a facility without broadcasting detection capabilities to potential terrorists.

Summary
Through the implementation of the Stride family of radionuclide detection devices, security professionals now have the means to detect and track illicit radioactive materials. Technology implementations such as those outlined here will help officials meet and defeat one of the foremost security challenges now and in the future. Unobtrusive, covert detection capabilities help give security professionals a leg up on terrorist plots.

“The primary national security challenge facing the United States is the nexus of violent extremists and regional states of concern that are seeking or have WMD.”

- NNSA Strategic Planning Guidance for 2010-2014, April 2008