Papers by Nur Aira Abd Rahman
Code simulation or test bench enables verification of new Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) de... more Code simulation or test bench enables verification of new Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) design to be done during code development stage. However, the conventional method to obtain stimulus data for simulation of FPGA based multichannel analyzer (MCA) requires actual radiation detector with tedious setup and dedicated software to acquire and store the acquired data. In addition, the signal parameters cannot be manipulated once data are acquired. The first objective of this thesis is to develop a tool that can systematically generate stimulus data required for code simulation of new FPGA based MCA. The second objective is to design the architecture of MCA on FPGA, the test benches required to verify the MCA functionality, and to simulate the MCA by utilizing input stimulus generated on the first objective. PulseGEN is the developed software that can generates Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) sampling data of the detector amplifier signal in gamma spectroscopy system. PulseGEN ...
A coverage path planning approach for autonomous radiation mapping with a mobile robot
International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems
In nuclear and radiation-related industries, it is crucial to ensure that the radiation dose expo... more In nuclear and radiation-related industries, it is crucial to ensure that the radiation dose exposure to the radiation worker is maintained below the permissible dose limit. A radiation map is a useful tool for visualizing the radiation distribution across the work area and for coordinating activities involving the hotspots (high radiation areas). The goal of this work was to design and implement a coverage path planning approach for autonomous radiation mapping carried out by a mobile robot. Given a 2D occupancy map, a method to generate uniformly distributed sampling points was proposed. The geometry of the region of interest, the radiation detector module, and the radiation measurement parameters were considered in formulating the sampling positions. Next, the coverage path planning planner integrates the nearest neighbor and depth-first search algorithms to create a continuous path that enables the robot to visit all the sampling points. The K-means clustering algorithm is added...
An Autonomous Clutter Inspection Approach for Radiological Survey Using Mobile Robot
IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering
GSM module for wireless radiation monitoring system via SMS
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2018
Automatic sample changer control software for automation of neutron activation analysis process in Malaysian Nuclear Agency
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2018
Generation of Geiger-Muller detector dataset for simulation of radioactive source localization algorithm
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2021
Detector dataset in digital data is required to simulate and evaluate a particle filter (PF) algo... more Detector dataset in digital data is required to simulate and evaluate a particle filter (PF) algorithm. The PF is used to estimate the position and intensity of unknown hotspots within a region of interest (ROI) from sparse sampling points around the ROI. The dataset will emulate GM measured data at these sampling points. GM radiation detection model, Poisson random variable generator, and Gaussian noise generator were implemented to generate the datasets. Next, using the datasets as input to the PF code, the corresponding output is evaluated for various configuration of hotspot locations and radiation intensities. The resulting detector datasets and the particle filter output were analyzed; and the results are presented in the paper.
Geiger Mueller tube is a longstanding device to detect gamma ray in it range and it still preferr... more Geiger Mueller tube is a longstanding device to detect gamma ray in it range and it still preferred in many radiation detection devices due to robustness in rough environment. The high voltage supply to support Geiger Mueller activation needs a transformer at in order to operate. This paper will discuss the effectiveness of the transformer to get satisfactory and stable high voltage. The transformers were winded manually in few sets with limited size of the bobbin and ferrite core. The transformers were applied into three different circuits to analyse the high voltage. The result of the effectiveness of the transformer and the high voltage of the circuit were discussed.
International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 2020
This article presents a collision avoidance system for multiple robots based on the current auton... more This article presents a collision avoidance system for multiple robots based on the current autonomous car collision avoidance system. The purpose of the system is to improve the current autonomous car collision avoidance system by including data input of other vehicles’ velocity and positioning via vehicle-to-vehicle communication into the current autonomous car collision avoidance system. There are two TurtleBots used in experimental testing. TurtleBot is used as the robot agent while Google Lightweight Communication and Marshalling is used for inter-robot communication. Additionally, Gazebo software is used to run the simulation. There are two types of collision avoidance system algorithm (collision avoidance system without inter-robot communication and collision avoidance system with inter-robot communication) that are developed and tested in two main road crash scenarios, rear end collision scenario and junction crossing intersection collision scenario. Both algorithms are test...
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2017
Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) process has been established in Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nucle... more Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) process has been established in Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) since 1980s. Most of the procedures established especially from sample registration to sample analysis are performed manually. These manual procedures carried out by the NAA laboratory personnel are time consuming and inefficient. Hence, a software to support the system automation is developed to provide an effective method to replace redundant manual data entries and produce faster sample analysis and calculation process. This paper describes the design and development of automation software for NAA process which consists of three sub-programs. The subprograms are sample registration, hardware control and data acquisition; and sample analysis. The data flow and connection between the sub-programs will be explained. The software is developed by using National Instrument LabView development package.
There is a clear need to strengthen security measures to prevent any malevolent use or accidental... more There is a clear need to strengthen security measures to prevent any malevolent use or accidental misuse of radioactive sources. Some of these radioactive sources are regularly transported outside of office or laboratory premises for work and consultation purposes. This paper present the initial development of radioactive source tracking system, which combined Arduino microcontroller, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) technologies. The tracking system will help the owner to monitor the movement of the radioactive sources. Currently, the system is capable of tracking the movement of radioactive source through the GPS satellite signals. The GPS coordinate could either be transmitted to headquarters at fixed interval via Short Messaging Service (SMS) to enable real time monitoring, or stored in a memory card for offline monitoring and data logging.
Pulse Shaping Amplifier (PSA) is an essential component in nuclear spectroscopy system. This netw... more Pulse Shaping Amplifier (PSA) is an essential component in nuclear spectroscopy system. This network has two functions; to shape the output pulse and performs noise filtering. In this paper, we describe procedure for design and development of a pulse shaping amplifier which can be used for nuclear spectroscopy system. This prototype was developed using high performance electronics devices and assembled on a FR4 type printed circuit board. Performance of this prototype was tested by comparing it with an equivalent commercial spectroscopy amplifier (Model SILENA 7611). The test results show that the performance of this prototype is comparable to the commercial spectroscopic amplifier. ABSTRAK Amplifier pembentuk denyut merupakan satu komponen penting dalam sistem spektroskopi tercetak jenis FR4. Prestasi prototaip ini telah diuji dengan membandingkan ia dengan spektroskopi amplifier komersil (Model: Silena 7611). Keputusan ujian menunjukkan bahawa prestasi prototaip ini adalah setandi...
A field-programmable-gate-array based time digitizer for the time-of-flight mass spectrometry Rev... more A field-programmable-gate-array based time digitizer for the time-of-flight mass spectrometry Review of Scientific Instruments 85, 045115 (2014);
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2015
A digital n/ pulse shape discrimination (PSD) system is currently under development at Instrument... more A digital n/ pulse shape discrimination (PSD) system is currently under development at Instrumentation & Automation Centre, Malaysian Nuclear Agency. This system aims at simultaneous detection of fast neutron and gamma ray in mixed radiations environment. This work reports the system characterization performed on the liquid scintillation detector (BC-501A) and digital pulse shape discrimination (DPSD) system. The characterization involves measurement of electron light output from the BC-501A detector and energy channels calibration of the pulse height spectra acquired with DPSD system using set of photon reference sources. The main goal of this experiment is to calibrate the ADC channel of our DPSD system, characterized the BC-501 detector and find the position of Compton edge which later could be used as threshold for the n/ PSD experiment. The detector resolution however is worse as compared to other published data but it is expected as our detector has a smaller active volume.
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2015
Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) had been established in Nuclear Malaysia since 1980s. Most of t... more Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) had been established in Nuclear Malaysia since 1980s. Most of the procedures established were done manually including sample registration. The samples were recorded manually in a logbook and given ID number. Then all samples, standards, SRM and blank were recorded on the irradiation vial and several forms prior to irradiation. These manual procedures carried out by the NAA laboratory personnel were time consuming and not efficient. Sample registration software is developed as part of IAEA/CRP project on 'Development of Process Automation in the Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) Facility in Malaysia Nuclear Agency (RC17399)'. The objective of the project is to create a pc-based data entry software during sample preparation stage. This is an effective method to replace redundant manual data entries that needs to be completed by laboratory personnel. The software developed will automatically generate sample code for each sample in one batch, create printable registration forms for administration purpose, and store selected parameters that will be passed to sample analysis program. The software is developed by using National Instruments Labview 8.6.
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2015
LabVIEW-based control and acquisition system for the dosimetric characterization of a silicon str... more LabVIEW-based control and acquisition system for the dosimetric characterization of a silicon strip detector Review of Scientific Instruments 88, 025104 (2017);
Data transmission in field works especially that is related to industry, gas and chemical is para... more Data transmission in field works especially that is related to industry, gas and chemical is paramount importance to ensure data accuracy and delivery time. A development of wireless detector system for remote data acquisition to be applied in conducting fieldwork in industry is described in this paper. A wireless communication which is applied in the project development is a viable and cost-effective method of transmitting data from the detector to the laptop on the site to facilitate data storage and analysis automatically, which can be used in various applications such as column scanning. The project involves hardware design for the detector and electronics parts besides programming for control board and user interface. A prototype of a wireless gamma scintillation detector is developed with capabilities of transmitting data to computer via radio frequency (RF) and recording the data within the 433MHz band at baud rate of 19200.
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2014
The aim of this study is to develop a software that can systematically generate stimulus required... more The aim of this study is to develop a software that can systematically generate stimulus required for code simulation (functional and timing) of new digital processors in gamma spectroscopy system. Software must be able to produce stimulus that emulate ADC data of charge sensitive amplifier (CSA) output signal. Signal parameters such as pulse shape, amplitude, pulse width and count rate should be adjustable while allowing options such as pulse pile-up and random pulse events. To fulfill this objective, a pulse generator software PulseGEN has been developed. The software GUI is designed to operate in two modes, Single/Pile-Up Mode and Continuous Random Mode. Its ADC module simulates real-time ADC sampling. The output can be saved as input stimulus to test various functions of digital processors such as pulse height measurements, pile-up detection and correction, as well as random pulse detection and measurement that is similar to the actual real-time measurement. PulseGEN results have been compared and verified against commercial charge sensitive amplifier with NaI detector and NIM pulser.
High voltage stability performance of a gamma ray detection device
ABSTRACT An industrial grade digital radiation survey meter device is currently being developed a... more ABSTRACT An industrial grade digital radiation survey meter device is currently being developed at Malaysian Nuclear Agency. This device used a cylindrical type Geiger Mueller (GM) which acts as a detector. GM detector operates at relatively high direct current voltages depend on the type of GM tube. This thin/thick walled cylindrical type of GM tube operates at 450-650 volts range. Proper value and stability performance of high voltage are important parameters to ensure that this device give a reliable radiation dose measurement. This paper will present an assessment of the stability and performance of the high voltage supply for radiation detector. The assessment is performed using System Identification tools box in MATLAB and mathematical statistics.
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2016
This paper presents the design of new digital radiation survey meter with LND7121 Geiger Muller t... more This paper presents the design of new digital radiation survey meter with LND7121 Geiger Muller tube detector and Atmega328P microcontroller. Development of the survey meter prototype is carried out on Arduino Uno platform. 16-bit Timer1 on the microcontroller is utilized as external pulse counter to produce count per second or CPS measurement. Conversion from CPS to dose rate technique is also performed by Arduino to display results in micro Sievert per hour (μSvhr-1). Conversion factor (CF) value for conversion of CPM to μSvhr-1 determined from manufacturer data sheet is compared with CF obtained from calibration procedure. The survey meter measurement results are found to be linear for dose rates below 3500 μSv/hr.
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2020
Radiation mapping is the process of measuring radiation intensity level at distributed sampling p... more Radiation mapping is the process of measuring radiation intensity level at distributed sampling points in a predefined region of interest (ROI). This procedure is crucial in any radiological related emergency to locate contamination hotspot(s) or in routine inspections in any radiation facilities. When workers knowingly enter a high radiation zone to perform radiation mapping, they are exposed to the risk of radiation exposure. Mobile robot is a potential solution that could eliminate the health and safety risk and subsequently improve the measurement accuracy. This paper reports implementation of mobile robot for radiation mapping by using a commercial mobile robot platform, Turtlebot2 in conjunction with Robot Operating System (ROS). Mobile robot is capable to generate physical map of the targeted environment by using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). Simultaneously, Geiger Muller detector is utilized to perform radiation measurement. The radiation data is directly plo...
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Papers by Nur Aira Abd Rahman