AUTOMATED SYSTEMS FOR MEASURING DOSE AND RADIATION QUALITY AS A FUNCTION OF TIME

A compact, modular, tissue-equivalent proportional counter system has been developed for use in space. The data acquisition system consists of a microcomputer, multichannel analyser, memory, and power converter on individual circuit cards which can be used in various combinations for specific measurement requirements. The system uses separate, inte rchangeable detectors, each with its preamplifier and shaping amplifie r connected directly to the detector. The microprocessor provides the computing power of a personal computer, and uses an operating system w hich is compatible with a subset of MSDOS. Experimental procedures can be programmed in high level languages and downloaded to the microproc essor. A typical application, used to characterise the dose rates due to trapped radiations in space, monitors the dose rate and records ene rgy deposition spectra frequently when the dose rate is high. The micr oprocessor also measures and records system operation characteristics such as MCA linearity, proportional counter gain, and power supply vol tages on a periodic basis.