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Advances in Telecommunications Implemented by US EPA's National Environmental Radiation Monitoring Program
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Askren, S. Telofski
US Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory, 540 South Morris Ave., Montgomery, AL, 36115, United States
Contact Information: askren.dan@epa.gov; 334-270-3422
ABSTRACT
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's national environmental radiation monitoring program (RadNet) includes over 130 stationary, continuously operating air monitoring stations. These air monitors include radiation detectors, high-volume air samplers and telecommunication devices for hourly data transfers. The telecommunication devices have undergone considerable change since installation of the initial stations in 2006, and ongoing improvements take advantage of continued advances in telecommunications technology.
The initial air monitoring stations included analog telephone modems, dial-up CDMA IS-95 cellphone service and packet-data-terminal satellite telemetry. Because the limited future of these telemetry options was apparent, EPA's National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory in Montgomery, Alabama began a process of replacing these modes of communication. Currently, all systems have been upgraded to CDMA2000 cell phone technology. Incrementally, satellite telemetry is being upgraded to high-speed satellite systems. These changes have provided greater connectivity and faster data transmission rates.
Modifications to the system's software have been developed and implemented to take advantage of the improved telecommunications. Systems now have enhanced remote functionality, which has allowed greater remote trouble-shooting from the laboratory and has decreased the need for on-site service calls. These modifications have also increased the efficiency of quality control activities, reduced the time requirements of the on-site station operators and enabled more rapid identification and quantification of airborne nuclides.
The data collected by the RadNet air monitoring program provides critical information to help determine protective actions during a radiological incident, and the data may also assist rapid refinement of long-range radioactive plume models and population exposure estimates. The benefits of improved telecommunications were realized during the Fukushima nuclear incident, and further improvements continue to enhance the program's utility.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Askren, S. Telofski
US Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory, 540 South Morris Ave., Montgomery, AL, 36115, United States
Contact Information: askren.dan@epa.gov; 334-270-3422
ABSTRACT
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's national environmental radiation monitoring program (RadNet) includes over 130 stationary, continuously operating air monitoring stations. These air monitors include radiation detectors, high-volume air samplers and telecommunication devices for hourly data transfers. The telecommunication devices have undergone considerable change since installation of the initial stations in 2006, and ongoing improvements take advantage of continued advances in telecommunications technology.
The initial air monitoring stations included analog telephone modems, dial-up CDMA IS-95 cellphone service and packet-data-terminal satellite telemetry. Because the limited future of these telemetry options was apparent, EPA's National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory in Montgomery, Alabama began a process of replacing these modes of communication. Currently, all systems have been upgraded to CDMA2000 cell phone technology. Incrementally, satellite telemetry is being upgraded to high-speed satellite systems. These changes have provided greater connectivity and faster data transmission rates.
Modifications to the system's software have been developed and implemented to take advantage of the improved telecommunications. Systems now have enhanced remote functionality, which has allowed greater remote trouble-shooting from the laboratory and has decreased the need for on-site service calls. These modifications have also increased the efficiency of quality control activities, reduced the time requirements of the on-site station operators and enabled more rapid identification and quantification of airborne nuclides.
The data collected by the RadNet air monitoring program provides critical information to help determine protective actions during a radiological incident, and the data may also assist rapid refinement of long-range radioactive plume models and population exposure estimates. The benefits of improved telecommunications were realized during the Fukushima nuclear incident, and further improvements continue to enhance the program's utility.