DOSIMETER USING CAMERA AS A SENSOR

ABSTRACT:

To develop a low cost effective dosimeter using conventional camera as a

sensor.

DESCRIPTION:

The various parts of the Dosimeter developed are:

1. Camera
2. Millivolt to volt amplifier
3. Voltage controlled oscillator
4. Cycles counter

Camera:

The commercially available PAL system camera is used to develop the

dosimeter. It acts as a sensor and converts the radiation into corresponding
millivolts variation based on amount of radiation. A black cover is provided
over the camera in order to be in dark condition so that when radiation falls on
it generates the corresponding millivots DC. It is also tested the response of
the camera with radiation such that the voltage increases in increase in
radiation falls on it. It operates on 12V DC and output voltage at dark condition
is 0.85V DC. The variation of the output voltage of camera is in the order of
100`s of millivolts depending upon the radiation.

Amplifier:

An operational amplifier(TL 082) is used to convert the millivolt

variation into in the order of volts. A single stage operational amplifier is
constructed in non inverting mode. It gives a gain of around 100. First the
0.85v DC from the camera is considered as a zero for measurement purpose
and then the changes are amplified with factor of 10.
 (vo/vi)= 100kohm/10kohm

Hence gain factor = 10

VCO:

The VCO is constructed using the IC 555(astable mode) timer circuit and
its control voltage(pin 5) is varied by the output of the amplifier and based on
which the frequency of the generated square wave varies.

Initially the oscillator is constructed to oscillate at frequency of 1 HZ. If

the radiation is more that is the camera is near the gantry the output
frequency generated will be more. Similarly if the camera is away from the
gantry output frequency generated will be less.

Cycles counter:

The final stage is the cycles counter, it counts the no of cycles of the
frequency generated by the voltage controlled oscillator.

It can handle upto the frequency of the 100HZ.

So the variation of the voltage developed is converted into the variation of the
frequency from 1HZ to 100HZ.

Note: Cycles counter is developed using the digital skipping rope counter
available in market.

Cost of various components:

1. PAL system camera – Rs.1200

2. IC TL 082 – Rs. 50
3. IC 555 – Rs. 20
4. Cycles counter – Rs.250
5. Passive components – Rs.100
6. Printed circuit board- Rs. 10
7. Low Resistance wire(17 mts) – Rs.100.
8. DC adaptors 12V(2nos) – Rs. 280
9. Lead and other accessories – Rs. 100

The total cost is around Rs. 2700/

Conclusion:

Hence a low cost dosimeter is developed using the

conventional camera and it cost about just Rs. 2700/-.