WO2005093680A1

WO2005093680A1 - System of early detection of radiological, biological and chemical hazards, and its means

Info

Publication number: WO2005093680A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2005/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Otakar BÁRTA; Jirí Surán
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-29
Filing date: 2005-03-25
Publication date: 2005-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-29
Also published as: CZ294946B6; CZ2004435A3

Abstract

System is formed by at least one existing mobile telecommunication network consisting of a set of servers (2) of the operators of these networks interconnected with their corresponding base stations (3), which are interconnected with the hazard signalling means (4). Each hazard signalling means (4) consists of telecommunication technique block (5), to which is connected, over a detector/mobile communication gateway (9) and a control and diagnostic unit (7), an emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block (6) with adjustable safety relevant signalling levels. The outputs of the servers (2) of the operators are connected in one-way direction, in the direction of data reception with at least one operational central (1) with a data storage block (11), and with a block for evaluation and validation of these data. The output of this operational central (1) is connected in two-way direction with at least one intervention centre (10) for intervention in case of abnormal situation occurrence evaluation. The servers (2) of the operators are servers fulfilling the condition of the completeness of the information being transferred as to the signalling level, time, localisation, number and identification of the hazard signalling means connected to the base station (3) in a preset time interval covering the moment of the transmission of the message about the emergency situation occurrence.

Description

System of early detection of radiological, biological, and chemical hazards, and its means

Technical Field of the Invention

The technical solution deals with the system of early detection of radiological, biological, and chemical hazards, working on the principle of permanent monitoring of safety relevant levels of physical variables.

Background of the Invention

The existing state of the art and the principle of the technical solution will be illustrated on the example of a radiological weapon. The radiological weapon is a relatively new expected terrorist means, classified among so-called mass deprivation weapons or mass order disturbance weapons. Easy availability, simplicity of use, and difficult remedy of consequences make of it nowadays the most feared terrorist means. In the present time, mainly gate stationary monitors for transport vehicles, located in particular on country borders, passage monitors for persons, special d etectors for I uggage conveyors, c ranes o r a nd other t ransport means are used in the battle against the radiological terrorism. Development of automatic stationary means located on transport communications is presumed. Their common disadvantage is low frequency of use and easy discovery.

Better solution is using miniaturised equipment on the so-called invisible curtain principle, called also "one man - one detector", where the detector is small, portable, and invisible for the intruder. These are radiation pagers, used in particular by customs officers and policemen as part of personal equipment. These pagers alert the holder acoustically or through vibrations about the presence of an ionising radiation source. Their disadvantage is the inability to communicate within the system, still insufficient frequency of service and limitation of the source presence detection possibility to localities, where people equipped as standard are operating, thus in summary limited effectiveness of the invisible curtain implemented on this base.

The existing state of the art is thus characterised by low spatial coverage limited additionally to foreseeable locations, by low mobility in respect to the predominance of stationary monitors and low level of system communication, which leads today to the meaning that in the present time it is impossible to combat technically against the radiological weapon effectively, and prevent thus its use.

In case of chemical or bacteriological weapons, the existing state of the art does even not reach t he state in the radiological a rea. Mostly only individual stationary or portable means are used.

Summary of the Invention

The above disadvantages are substantially reduced by the system of early detection of radiological, b iological, and chemical h azards a ccording the presented solution. Its principle is that it is formed by at least one existing mobile telecommunication network consisting of a set of servers of the operators of these networks connected with their respective base stations. These base stations are interconnected with the hazard signalling, formed by their standard means for information detection and transfer, such as a normal mobile phone, to which an emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block of with an adjustable safety relevant signalling level is connected through a communication interface. A control and diagnostic unit is added to this emergency event detection and evaluation block. The outputs of the operator servers have one-way - in the direction of data reception - connection with at least one operational central in which a block for data storage, i.e. a database server, and a data evaluation and validation block, a so-called expert system are included. Output of this operational central has a two-way connection with at least one intervention centre for intervention in case of evaluation of emergency situation occurrence. The servers are servers fulfilling the condition of completeness of the transferred information as to the signalling level, time, localisation, number and identification of the hazard signalling means connected to the base station in a preset time interval covering the moment of the delivery of the message about the occurrence of the emergency event. In its advantageous version, the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block includes a screened miniaturised detector of the variable to be measured.

In another possible advantageous version, the emergency event occurrence d etection and evaluation b lock i ncludes a n i onising radiation detector with a high sensitivity in the power range of the dispersed gamma radiation.

In other possible versions the emergency event detection and evaluation block and the control and diagnostic unit are formed as an integrated component in a single chip, which may be either a part of the telecommunication electronics block, or part of the power supply.

In both cases it is suitable, when all elements are located in a common case.

In the frame of an early detection system it is possible, in particular in localities with high density development, to include also the existing fixed networks, such as the street lighting or traffic signals, the means of which enable to complete the emergency events occurrence detection and evaluation block. The base station is thus implemented in the regional node of the fixed network; the server of the operator is located in the control centre of the fix network. In case the operational central of the early hazard detection system is connected to the server of street lighting, the emergency event detection and evaluation blocks are located in selected exactly localised lightings of the street lighting system.

In case the operational central of the early hazard detection system is connected to the server of traffic signals, the emergency event detection and evaluation block is located in selected exactly localised traffic signals active elements.

The system of early detection of radiological, biological, and chemical hazards represents a permanently expandable system enabling spatially unlimited coverage of the territory using mobile signalling means, the space disposition of which changes in time, and also stationary signalling means.

This system is able to transfer to selected intervention centres automatically, through wireless or fixed lines, validated information about exceeding the safety relevant level of a measured variable, about the approximate location of this occurrence, about the time in which the safety relevant level was exceeded, and about the signalling means, which has identified the occurrence.

The system of early detection of radiological, biological, and chemical hazards makes profit of features and means of all existing radio telecommunication mobile networks, as well as of all constructed fixed networks for the detection and transfer of specific information. Selected standard elements of these networks are able - after the additional installation of a detection and evaluation block - provide information about the exceeding of a single or multiple safety relevant levels of the monitored variable as a newly created monitoring means. This information is in cooperation with other existing means of the network completed with data enabling the localisation of the safety relevant level exceeding occurrence, determination of the time of the level exceeding, and identification of the signalling means, having indicated the level exceeding. The corresponding data package is then automatically sent in a predefined form through standard communication means, for example through the mobile network, Internet, p hone lines o r through radio communication m eans, through the operational central of the hazard early detection system to selected intervention centres. In this way the hazard early detection system may include, after the addition of detection and evaluation block, not only telecommunication networks, but also fixed networks of street lighting, traffic signals, etc. Depending on the type of the evaluation and detection block, the hazard early detection system may be used in particular for early detection of radiological, biological, or chemical hazard. This system may, however, be used also for monitoring safety relevant variables in general. The h azard e arly d etection s ystem i s designed i n p articular for massive implementation in the frame of the fight against terrorism. Its implementation is particularly suitable against terrorist means called radiological weapon, dirty bomb, radiological dispersing equipment, etc.

Overview of the figures in the drawings

The block diagram of a mobile system of radiological hazard early detection in accordance with the presented solution is given in the Fig. 1. A detailed section of Fig. 1 is given in Fig. 2.

Schematic representation of basic elements of mobile means of radiation signalling is given in Fig. 3.

Figs. 4 and 5 indicate schematically the possibilities of the layout, where in one case the radiation signalling block, evaluation and detection block, and the control and diagnostic unit in one chip together with the communication electronics block, and in the second case with the power supply.

The diagram of the complete integration is given in the Fig. 6.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The principle of the technical solution of the hazard early detection system may be illustrated, without loss of generality on the example of early detection of radiological hazard using the mobile radio communication network, extended by existing stationary networks, which situation is schematically given in the Fig.1. Fig.2 then represents a mobile network segment from the Fig. 1. The proposed system consists of the operational central 1, equipped with the block ϋ for data storage by the presented database server. In the example given in the Fig.2, four servers 2 of operators of mobile telecommunication networks 900/1800 MHz are connected to this operational central. To each server 2 of the operators, means 4 of the hazard signalling - here radiation signalling - are connected over the corresponding base station 3. In the example given here, this hazard signalling means 4 are modified mobile phones. This system may use also the server 21 of the existing radiation monitoring system, which includes the detection and evaluation blocks 6,_, and/or the server of fixed networks 22, the means of which were completed by the detection and evaluation block 6, as indicated in the Fig.1. The operational central 1 is then connected to the intervention centre IfJ, which is also indicated in the Fig.1. The operational central 1 uses wireless or fixed line communication, one-way or two-way. One-way communication, used only for receiving data, is established with the servers 2 of the mobile networks operators, and with the servers 2Λ, 22 of the stationary networks fulfilling the condition of information completeness to be transferred, thus transferring signalling level, time, localisation, and detector identification. Two-way communication is then established between the operational central 1, and the centres of special departments, integrated in the CR into Integrated Rescue System (IZS), or intervention centres 10, having similar concept, performing the intervention in case of abnormal event notification. The signalling means 4, in this case radiation hazard, so modified mobile phones, communicate with the operational central 1 in accordance with the communication standards of mobile phones. The servers 2 of the mobile networks operators are thus able to provide for communication with mobile hazard signalling means 4 over the existing base stations 3 without the necessity to modify the existing configuration.

The hazard signalling means 4 does not differ visually from standard types of personal mobile phones or hands-free phones, integrated into transport vehicles. It is able to ensure all standard functions to his holder, offered by a standard mobile phone having comparable size. As shown in the Fig. 3, the hazard signalisation means 4 is composed of telecommunication electronics block 5, identical to the standard solution of telecommunication electronics of a mobile phone, to which a detection and evaluation block 6 is added, formed for example by a standard wiring of ionising radiation detector, such as a GM, Nal, Csl, or semiconductor, which is connected to the telecommunication electronics block 5 over the control and diagnostics unit 7 and over a detector/mobile telecommunication gateway 9. Telecommunication electronics block 5, detector/mobile telecommunication gateway 9_* detection and evaluation block 6, and control and diagnostics unit 7 are connected to a common power supply 8. The ionising radiation detection and evaluation block 6 is composed of miniaturised ionising radiation detector, preferably with high sensitivity in the power range of dispersed gamma radiation, i.e. about 50 - 500 keV and of circuits, feeding the detector and evaluating its electric signal, provoked by the response to the ionising radiation presence. The minimum detector sensitivity is preferably selected in such a way that a source containing the radionuclide 137 Cs with an activity of 10 GBq is reliably detected from a distance of 10 m, and it is so possible to register the exceeding of the corresponding level of gamma radiation dose input of ~10 μGy per hour. The ionising radiation detection and evaluation block 6 including the detector is selected in a way to be temperature independent, resistant to electromagnetic interference, and to have minimum possible power consumption. The output of the detection and evaluation block 6 is the current value of the level of the variable being measured.

The control and diagnostic unit 7 transfers through the gateway 9 the standardised session, for example of type SMS, including data about the exceeding of a previously set particular level of the measured variable by the intermediary of the telecommunication block 5 into the mobile operator network. This control and diagnostic unit 7 additionally performs self- diagnostics of the hazard signalling means 4 and sends information about possible failure of the equipment over the mobile operator network into the operation central in form of standardised session. Specific layout presumes the integration of the detection and evaluation block 6, the control and diagnostics unit 7, and the gateway 9 into one chip, which may be generally part of the communication electronics block 5, and is thus integrated into one customer chip, Fig. 4, or it may be part of the power supply 8, as given in the Fig. 5. It results from the above that the hazard signalling means 4 may be manufactured as a new product with a normal power supply, or contrary to that it may be part of the power supply 8 and may be inserted into normally manufactured mobile phone. External size of the radiation signalling means 4 and its layout corresponds to the size of a normal mobile phone and all its elements are located in the common case. Also another variant is possible, when the ionising radiation detection and evaluation block 6 and the control and diagnostics unit 7 are implemented in two independent chips. In case of exceeding the first preset ionising radiation level, for example 10 μGy per hour, or of the following ones, the detection and evaluation block 6 sends the signal about the exceeding of the highest preset levels to the input of the control and diagnostics unit 7. The detection and evaluation unit 7 sends the session about the exceeding of the particular level, i.e. the radiation signal, through the gateway 9, through the telecommunication electronics block 5 in a preset form - preferably in form of SMS message type - to the server or servers 2 of the telecommunication networks operators. This information is automatically completed in the server 2 by data available here as standard. These are data about the position of the base station 3, to which the originating modified mobile phone is connected in the moment of the session, and about its action range, i.e. data about the localisation, and data about the number and identification of the hazard signalling means 4, connected to the base station 3 in a preset time interval, covering the moment of SMS message transmission. The standardised session so completed, e.g. SMS, is automatically sent from the server(s) 2 of the operator(s) to the preset address of the operational central 1 of the hazard early detection system. While the level of radiation is above the initial signalling level, the relation is periodically repeated. In case of ongoing voice or data communication of the subscriber, the detection and ionising radiation evaluation block 6 is automatically switched off with the help of the control and diagnostic unit 7 in the way not to disturb the normal communication and vice versa not to load the detection and evaluation block 6 by increased electromagnetic radiation. The chip of the detection and evaluation block 6 may be automatically switched off also during another type of normal communication, e.g. during the logging in into another base station 3 of the telecommunication network. The installed software of the operational central 1 archives then the message and performs after its receipt the validation of the information. This validation is performed both based on the localisation of the location of its occurrence with the help of the logging in of the hazard signalling means 4 to a particular base station 3 of a particular operator and based on examination of massages from other hazard signalling means 4 located in the occurrence location, and based on logical analysis of possible occurrences. It uses thus multiple confirmations in the interest of the elimination of false messages.

In case validation conditions are fulfilled, the operational central 1 sends automatically the information about the location of possible radiological hazard into one or more intervention centres 10 of action departments, e.g. the IZS in the Czech Republic, using all previously specified available media, wireless or fixed lines, over the Internet, etc. These intervention centres 10 may be the police, firemen, or new special centres, such as radiological crisis centre. These intervention centres 10 assure subsequently final search and intervention in the specified locality in form of visit by a group having high sensitivity ionising radiation measuring instruments. T his intervention may be further directed and controlled by the operational central 1, receiving updated information, which enables to follow the path of the transport of the source using standard mobile communication between the central and the intervention team. Information about the detection of radiological hazard, sent from the hazard signalling means 4 into the operational central 1 includes as standard following data:

- Type of hazard, in the given example it is the radiological one - Location of radiation signal occurrence, i.e. position of the base station and its range

- Approximate level of the measured variable in the occurrence location

- Time of radiation signal occurrence

- Time at which the radiation signal was evaluated as real, i.e. time of validation

- List of hazard signalling means 4, having registered in the described example the radiation signal, i.e. the numbers of the mobile phones

- Current number and identification of all mobile phones, connected to the given base station. In the specified locality, the above intervention centres 10 perform the intervention directed to final finding and to disable the radioactive source.

Protection against false signals, or against voluntary influencing (saturation) of the operational central 1 having this concept is primarily assured by the own concept of the hazard early detection system, based on the principle "one man - one detector" enabling the confirmation of the information by multiple hazard signalling means 4, and by the software of the operational central 1 including among others an expert system, excluding physically or logically unreal scenarios, by hardware secured one-way information flow, preventing any access to the system up to the level of the operational central 1 from outside, i.e. from master networks and by standard safety protection of the mobile networks operators.

One of possible particular solutions of the hazard signalling means 4, representing complex integration of the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block 6, control and diagnostics unit 7, and communication electronics block 5 is based on the extension of a standard telecommunication interface Siemens - TC 45 by the detection and evaluation block 6 containing gamma radiation detector completed by a communication interface. Schematic representation of the system is on the Fig. 6. On the base plate of the PCB TC45 GSM controller 5 . completed by SRAM memory 52 and Flash memory 53, assuring GSM communication control, is integrated in the frame of the communication electronics block 5. The GSM controller 5_1 is connected to an intelligent power supply control unit 58, which distributes the DC current for all connected equipment. Further the network services measurement unit 54, assuring the GSM traffic of the equipment from the telecommunication viewpoint is connected to the GSM controller 51.

The antenna system for the GSM signal reception formed by an antenna amplifier 55, and the antenna processing unit 56, communicating directly with the with the GSM controller 5_1 is another integral part of the PCB.

A 50-pin connector of the application interface 57 forms the interface of the TC45 PCB with external equipment. Communication with external equipment represented by the display 12, keyboard 13, and a headphone 14 with a microphone goes over a cable to the application interface 57. Further external charger 15 and power supply 8 (a battery), which is connected in series on the temperature check system 16 causing automatic shut-down of the equipment in case the temperature is lower than -20°C and higher than 70°C is connected to the application interface 57. Further the SIM card box 17 is connected to the application interface 57. The PCB of the detection and evaluation block 6 is connected using a cable to the TC45 PCB over the application interface 57. On this detection and evaluation block 6 PCB is located the measuring probe 6 . assuring a continuous detection of gamma radiation in the surrounding environment. The measuring p robe 6_1 i s controlled over the communication p rocessor 62, connected to the common communication bus 18 with central control unit 63, in which is located the measured variable measurement and evaluation logic and the communication port RS232 of the application interface 57. The central control u nit 63 fulfils the role of the control a nd diagnostic unit 7 and gateway 9 in this integrated solution.

The instructions for announcing the exceeding of the ionising radiation level, i.e. the radiation signal, are generated in the central control unit 63, and sent over the serial interface using the AT commands directly to the GSM controller 5_1, which sends them into the evaluation centre in form of SMS messages, which finishes the transfer of information from the detection unit into the evaluation centre, i.e. into the operational central 1.

The above hazard early detection system also enables continuous following of the transport path of the source. During the intervention it is possible to detail the information, i.e. following the path of the transport of the source based on the mobile communication between the operational central 1 receiving updated information, and the intervention team.

The advantage of the system in the particular layout example is the possibility of massive implementation of radiation signalling means 4 and thus broad coverage and consequently high effectiveness of the invisible curtain, which cannot be achieved by existing systems, thanks to the dual function radiation signalling means 4, which a modified mobile phone without any limitation of use. User of the modified telecommunication means of radiation signalling means 4 type is simultaneously porter of radioactive source presence detector, without requiring any presence and operation. Automated localisation of the radioactive source detection location is enabled by the current principle of cellular networks 900/1800 MHz, and prospective networks in the GHz range. Localisation base stations 3 of the system are located with higher frequency in densely populated localities with the highest risk of consequences and the localisation accuracy is therefore higher in the densely populated localities. Influencing or even destruction of one radiation signalling means 4 does not change anything in the system effectiveness conservation. Substantial psychological target of broader use of the equipment is to discourage terrorists from attack using radiological weapon regarding the high probability of disclosure during the transport of the weapon to the place of use.

It is possible to include into the hazard early detection system, as indicated above, additionally to the mobile telecommunication networks operators, also operators of other standard networks, such as street lighting networks or traffic signals, where radiation detection and evaluation blocks 6 located in selected exactly located stationary means were used. These means may include street lightings or active elements of traffic signals. For the transfer of the relation, existing fixed cable trays could than be used, complemented eventually by wireless communicators.

Same p rinciples m ay be a pplied a lso i n case of d etection of other than radiological hazards, for example monitoring of biological or chemical agents.

Industrial Applicability

The presented solution is applicable in fighting against radiological, or biological or chemical terrorism, and also for discovering illegal or unwanted transports and other handling with radioactive sources. Using in the frame of teams performing primary response to emergency situations, thus in particular national safety departments is supposed.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S

1. System of early detection of the radiological, biological and chemical hazard and its means characterised in that it is formed by at least one existing mobile telecommunication network consisting of a set of servers (2) of the operators of these networks interconnected with their corresponding base stations (3), which are interconnected with the hazard signalling means (4), where each hazard signalling means (4) consists of telecommunication technique block (5), to which is connected, over a detector/mobile communication gateway (9) and control and diagnostic unit (7), an emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block (6) with adjustable safety relevant signalling levels, and where the outputs of the servers (2) of the operators are connected in one-way direction, in the direction of data reception with at least one operational central (1) with a data storage block (11), and with a block for evaluation and validation of these data, and where the output of this operational central (1) is connected in two-way direction with at least one intervention centre (10) for intervention in case of abnormal situation occurrence evaluation, whilst the servers (2) of the operators are servers fulfilling the condition of the completeness of the information being transferred as to the signalling level, time, localisation, number and identification of the hazard signalling means connected to the base station (3) in a preset time interval covering the moment of the transmission of the message about the emergency situation occurrence.

2. System in accordance with the claim 1 , characterised in that the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block (6) includes a shielded miniaturised detector of the measured variable.

3. System in accordance with the claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block (6) includes an ionising radiation detector with high sensitivity in the power range of the dispersed gamma radiation.

4. System in accordance with the claim 1 and any one of 2 or 3, characterised in that the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block (6), the control and diagnostic unit (7), and the detector/mobile communication gateway (9) are made as an integrated component on a single chip, which is part of the telecommunication electronics block (5).

5. System in accordance with the claim 1 and any one of 2 or 3, characterised in that the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation block (6), the control and diagnostic unit (7), and the detector/mobile communication gateway (9) are made as an integrated component on a single chip, which is part of the power supply (8).

6. System in accordance with the claim 4 or 5 characterised in that all elements are located in a common case.

7. System in accordance with the claim 1 and any one of the claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the operational central (1 ) of the hazard early detection system is simultaneously interconnected with at least one existing fixed network, namely with a server of the operator located in its control centre and interconnected with a base station consisting in a regional node of the given fixed network, whilst at least some of the stationary means of this fixed network are complemented by emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation blocks (6), by a control and diagnostic unit (7), and detector/mobile communication gateway (9).

8. System in accordance with the claim 7, characterised in that the operational central (1) of the hazard early detection system is connected to a street lighting network server, and the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation blocks (6) are located in selected exactly localised means of street lighting.

9. System in accordance with the claim 7, characterised in that the operational central (1) of the hazard early detection system is connected to a traffic signals network server, and the emergency event occurrence detection and evaluation blocks (6) are located in selected exactly localised means of traffic signals.