Year
1998
Abstract
Nondestructive assay (NDA) instruments developed for international and domestic safeguards applications are normally operated in an attended mode requiring an operator. However, there is an increasing need for unattended and remote monitoring instruments. Three types of applications are currently being researched by Aquila and Canberra: a) radiation triggers for video surveillance, b) unattended assay of materials moving in automated fabrication and process plants, and c) monitoring radiation signatures to verify the movement of unirradiated and irradiated nuclear material. Each application involves the transmission of sensitive data that is vulnerable to counterfeit or tamper. Aquila has proposed to migrate the proven authentication technology that is currently embedded in its GEMINI cameras into the NDA instruments so that the measurement data are signed before transmission. This approach eliminates the known vulnerability of these instruments while employing a methodology that has already been approved for Safeguards applications. This paper discusses the methodologies being investigated by Aquila and Canberra.