Radiation monitoring device

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a radiation detector based on an array of pixelated sensors, each equipped with electronic circuits that can measure and categorize the energy deposited by impinging radiation (such as photons or charged particles). The pixel electronics process the signal from each event, assign it to a predefined energy range via digital 'Time-Over-Threshold' (TOT) counting, and tally the number of events in each range. The architecture supports high-precision and real-time measurement, wide dynamic range, and simultaneous energy spectrum acquisition, making it highly suitable for dosimetry and radiation monitoring applications.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Personal and occupational radiation dosimeters for safety monitoring in medical, nuclear, or industrial environments.
• X-ray tube quality assurance and peak voltage (kVp) measurement in radiological diagnostics.
• Medical imaging detectors for improved contrast and real-time spectrum analysis.
• Environmental radiation monitoring and nuclear accident detection systems.
• Scientific research detectors in high-energy physics and material science.
• Identification and classification of radioisotopes for security or environmental purposes.
• Calibration and quality control of radiological equipment.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Simultaneous and precise measurement of both radiation dose and energy spectrum, allowing for a wide range of diagnostic and safety applications.
• High dynamic range, enabling detection from very low to very high radiation fluxes without increased dead-time or loss of data.
• Real-time monitoring with energy discrimination, enabling fast responses in safety-critical situations.
• Advanced data processing via digital counters and microcontrollers for better accuracy and reduced systematic error.
• Flexible and digitally programmable threshold settings enabling customized or adaptive measurements for various radiation types and intensities.
• Low power consumption due to efficient use of on-pixel electronics and adaptive readout strategies.
• Ability to distinguish between different types of radiation and isotopes, aiding in spectral analysis and source identification.
• Dead-time free operation and improved reliability, critical in pulsed or rapidly changing radiation fields.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Radiation detector (1) for measuring one or more characteristics of a radiation, comprising one or more detector pixels (3), a clock pulse generator, each detector pixel (3) comprising a sensor (20) producing an electrical signal in response to an event of a photon or charged particle of said radiation impinging on said sensor (20); a pixel electronics (24) adapted for receiving and processing said electrical signal, comprising an analog processing unit (62) for amplifying and shaping said electrical signal and producing a shaped pulse said pixel electronics (24) comprises time determination unit (51) for counting the TOT-count, the TOT-count being the number of clock pulses occurring during the time interval when said shaped pulse is above a threshold. Said pixel electronics comprises a plurality of event counters (82), each event counter (82) counting the number of events having a TOT-count in a predefined ranges.