Mobile radiation surveillance network

Abstract

A detection system and method having at least one detection unit, and a control centre unit. The detection unit includes at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions, a locator for actively determining location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit, and a communicator configured to communicate the sensor data and location data. The control centre includes a receiver for receiving the sensor data and the location data, together with a control processor which is configured to determine a threat level correlated to the sensor data.

1 . A detection system comprising: 
 a) at least one detection unit, wherein the detection unit comprises: 
 i) at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions;  
 ii) locator for actively determining location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit;  
 iii) a communicator configured to communicate the sensor data and the location data  
   b) a control centre, wherein the control centre comprises: 
 i) a receiver for receiving the sensor data and the location data;  
 ii) a control processor configured to determine a threat level correlated to the sensor data.  
   
   
   
       2 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communications network configured to provide a communications link between the communicator and the receiver.  
   
   
       3 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection unit further comprises a timer for generating timing data correlated to the time at which the sensor data is generated.  
   
   
       4 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data storage unit configured to store threshold data.  
   
   
       5 . The detection system of  claim 4 , wherein the threshold data is correlated to previously stored sensor data and correlated location data.  
   
   
       6 . The detection system of  claim 4 , wherein the threshold data comprises at least one data point corresponding to a predetermined threshold level.  
   
   
       7 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a monitor operatively coupled to the control processor, wherein the monitor is configured to generate a graphical display correlated to the sensor data and corresponding location data.  
   
   
       8 . The detection system of  claim 7 , wherein the graphical display comprises a map.  
   
   
       9 . A detection unit comprising: 
 a) at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions;    b) a locator configured to actively determine location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit;    c) a communicator operatively coupled to the sensor and to the locator, and configured to communicate the sensor data and location data.    
   
   
       10 . The detection unit of  claim 9 , further comprising a timer for generating timing data correlated to the time at which the sensor data is generated.  
   
   
       11 . The detection unit of  claim 9 , further comprising a data storage unit configured to store threshold data.  
   
   
       12 . The detection unit of  claim 11 , wherein the threshold data is correlated to previously stored sensor data and correlated location data.  
   
   
       13 . The detection unit of  claim 11 , wherein the threshold data comprises at least one data point corresponding to a predetermined threshold level.  
   
   
       14 . The detection unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the location determining means comprises a global positioning system.  
   
   
       15 . The detection unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense at least one from the following set of types of agents: chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear.  
   
   
       16 . A method of detecting threatening conditions, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a control centre;    b) providing at least one mobile detection unit, wherein the detection unit comprises at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions;    c) actively determining location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit;    d) communicating the sensor data and the location data to the control centre;    e) determining a threat level correlated to the sensor data.    
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of generating a graphical display correlated to both the sensor data and the location data.