Radiation Contamination Visualization and Mapping (RaCOM) System

To address the EPA's need for 3D mapping and radiation data fusion technologies, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Radiation Contamination Visualization and Mapping (RaCOM) System. Key advantages of RaCOM include mapping and visualization of radiation contamination to enable planning of cleanup operations while minimizing exposure to crew and equipment. End users include contamination cleanup crews and leadership of the cleanup operations. RaCOM addresses the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety market, which is expected to exceed $2B by 2023, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.42% from 2018-2023 as estimated by various market analysis reports. RaCOM is a comprehensive hardware/software solution comprising a global positioning system (GPS), inertial measurement unit (IMU), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), collimated array of gamma/neutron radiation sensors, and airborne contamination detection sensor and is integrated via a small form factor micro-server used for data processing. In indoor environments, RaCOM can monitor the radiation emanating from building surfaces. In outdoor environments, the surfaces of man-made structures and naturally occurring barriers can be observed by RaCOM. RaCOM collects 3D radiation data using a collimated sensor array and dosimeter. The positional contextual information in RaCOM is collected using the LIDAR, GPS, and IMU. The entire RaCOM apparatus can be mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to provide mapping and visualization capabilities in real time to remotely located laptop computers and/or personal devices connected via a wireless link. Data processing at the UGV includes correlating the positional data with the data from radiation sensors for visualization of the contamination environment. Wireless operation allows the cleanup crew to maintain a safe distance from any contaminated area. RaCOM uniquely integrates multiple commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, including sensor arrays and a computing platform installed on a UGV in a radio-agnostic, comprehensive hardware/software package, to provide the EPA with a complete solution. RaCOM is customized for display of 3D real-time radiation data on a computationally and power-constrained personal device. RaCOM's innovative system design combines the sensing array with GPS and LIDAR sensors in using a novel data format suitable for real-time streaming. Phase I work will include a feasibility demonstration involving personnel walking through a contaminated area while carrying the RaCOM detection/mapping system. Phase II work will further validate RaCOM's feasibility by providing operation of the RaCOM's apparatus on UGVs to perform the mapping activity without exposing workers to any radiation.