Portable X/gamma-ray survey meter based on the Internet of Things network for measuring the environmental radiation distribution

Real-time detection of X/gamma radiation dose rates holds particular significance in nuclear science research. In this study, we developed a portable X/gamma-ray survey meter for large-scale distributed real-time monitoring of ambient dose equivalent rates in the surrounding environment. This innovative device uses a silicon photomultiplier coupled with a CsI(Tl) scintillator and can connect to an Internet of Things (IoT) network. Additionally, it facilitates a wide spectrum of dose rate measurements by modifying the frequency of a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM)-type DC-DC power supply mode. The energy response of the survey meter, which is improved through Geant4 simulations and a multicomparator design, ranges from 48 keV to 1.3 MeV, encompassing various common protection level applications. It effectively measures gamma radiation dose rates ranging between 0.1 uSv/h and 100 mSv/h for Co-60. Temperature compensation of the detector was achieved through a series of experiments; the meter exhibits a deviation of -25% to +25% at temperatures between -40 and +40 degree. This survey meter can be extensively utilized for monitoring, data collection, and data processing. Furthermore, it can seamlessly connect to near-real-time web and mobile applications that can be remotely accessed from computers and mobile phones to enable remote operation.