Applications of Radio Frequency Technology to the Control of People and Material in the Nuclear Industry

Radio frequency technology has been successfully employed in monitoring the movement of dementia patients in the health care industry. This paper describes the key performance criteria of such a system and how it can provide unique solutions to material handling and the monitoring of personnel moving within a nuclear facility. The heart of the system is a miniature programmable microprocessor controlled transmitter which emits a unique identification signal on a periodic basis. Using a new tamper proof attachment mechanism based on fibre optics (patent pending), the transmitter becomes a \"pass card\" which cannot be duplicated or transferred. The presence of the transmitter is detected by a microprocessor controlled receiver which identifies the transmitter, and therefore the person or object, as legitimate and of the required security level. Access may also be qualified on the combined presence of the right type and number of transmitters. The system is essentially instantaneous and automatic in the sense that no one has to do anything to effect entrance or egress. Such systems provides means of controlling personnel and visitors who have restricted access to certain areas of the facilities and has the capability of ensuring that the right people and/or the right number of people are in defined areas as required by operating and safety policy. If material is tagged with a transmitter as well as facility personnel, the system can ensure procedures relating to material and its' movement are complied with. The development of this technology has been supported by the National Research Council of Canada.