Radiation Monitoring System with WiFi Connectivity

2 min read

Summary

This project involves designing and building a portable radiation monitoring system that uses a Geiger-Muller counter to detect radiation levels, displays readings on an LCD, and transmits data via WiFi. The system is powered by a battery pack with power management capabilities and housed in a custom acrylic enclosure.

Technologies Used

• WiFi-enabled microcontroller (for algorithms and data transmission)
• Geiger-Muller counter (radiation detection)
• Battery pack with BMS (power management)
• Buck converter (voltage regulation)
• LCD with I2C module (display interface)
• Custom PCB (circuit integration)
• Acrylic enclosure (system protection)
• CAD software (for design and assembly)

Challenges

1. Integrating multiple components (sensor, microcontroller, display, power) into a compact system
2. Ensuring accurate radiation measurements while maintaining WiFi connectivity
3. Power management for extended battery life
4. Creating a durable yet cost-effective enclosure
5. PCB fabrication and component soldering challenges
6. Firmware development for real-time data processing

Results

• Successful integration of all components as per design specifications
• System capable of:
  • Continuous radiation monitoring
  • Local display of readings
  • WiFi data transmission
  • 8+ hours of battery life
• Delivered all project milestones on schedule

Lessons Learned

1. Importance of thorough component selection and testing before full integration
2. Power management is more complex than initially anticipated
3. Allow more time for PCB iteration and testing
4. Acrylic enclosures require precise measurements for proper component fitting
5. Firmware development often takes longer than hardware assembly
6. Having a detailed component list early helps prevent budget overruns

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