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SME Associates LLC
Providing Innovative Solutions
REMOTE MONITORING 2020 VISION
JAMES P. MENGE PE, CHP
History of Remote Monitoring
1982
• The first noted use of remote monitoring was in 1982, where remote
monitoring of individual dose of workers entering the damaged TMI Unit 2
reactor was used.
Initial Systems
• The initial systems used limited radio transmission and dial-up modem
technology between two points for transfer of data.
1990
• In the 1990s, the systems began to advance to hardwired
Ethernet/Internet connections that offered greater speed and reliability.
The Impact of
Cellular Technology
• The advent of cellular technology has advanced the ability to monitor
offsite monitors and field teams from just about anywhere while lowering
costs and simplifying implementation.
Remote Monitoring Technology (RMT)
Remote Monitoring’s Impact
• The use of remote monitoring has been the most significant radiological
protection (ALARA) development in the nuclear industry.
Benefits to Workers
• These ALARA concept practices have translated into improved worker
efficiency and lower personnel exposure.
Enhancing Traditional Radiation Protection Support
• Remote monitoring provides enhancements to the traditional radiation
protection support of the work and ability to identify and trend potential
radiological issues as they develop in the field.
Global Use of RMT Technologies
Global Growth

Today, the use of Remote Monitoring Technologies (RMT) of workers is
growing globally.
U.S. – Market Leader

The U.S. has lead the development and has demonstrated the benefits
in reduction of individual dose utilizing worker telemetry to monitor
Dose & Dose Rate.
EPRI’s RMT Activities

EPRI (Electric Power Research institute) hosts an annual Remote
Monitoring Working group of International attendees.
RMT Global Use- Benefits
Wireless Technology in the Nuclear Industry

The development of wireless technology has spread throughout the world, and is
only beginning to be utilized in KHNP, EDF plants and other nuclear sites around
the world.
Growing Need for RMT

Whether as a result of aging workforce or plant economics, the result is that plants
have fewer personnel to monitor individual worker activities and need to rely on
RMT to monitor various activities simultaneously.
Benefits of RMT

Remote personnel can troubleshoot issues, advise on-site engineering and
operators as how to remedy a problem quickly while improving performance.
In Korea - RMT is Utilized
•
KHNP has developed
Remote Monitoring Video
System (RMVS) for use
within their nuclear stations.
•
The use of RMVS has
reduced the dose exposure
received by workers.
France & UK Markets - RMT

In France and associated EDF
nuclear plants in UK utilize
remote monitoring.

At recent ISOE meeting
EDF’s presentation showed
how EDF was integrating
teledosimetry into their
operations.
Use of Technology Expands
Increased Burden on
Nuclear Plants
RMT – Efficient and
Effective
Computer-Based Display
Modules
Smartphones & Tablets
Worth the Challenge
• A dramatic shift of resources is causing nuclear plants to do more
with less in today’s environment.
• Remote personnel can troubleshoot issues, advise on-site
engineering utilizing video and operators as how to remedy a
problem quickly while improving performance
• The use of computer-based display modules result in electronic
‘sign-board’ display of critical ALARA-based data for the entire
plant work force to see (and utilize.)
• Today the use of smartphones and tablets within the field allow 2way communications and data to be transferred improving overall
performance.
• The advantages of remote monitoring technology outweigh the
associated challenges of implementing a RMT program.
Remote Monitoring Technologies
Countless Benefits of RMT

Greater worker protection

Minimizes potential of exposures

Provides the ability to respond quickly to control work activities in the case of
emergency

Provides RP technicians with comprehensive monitoring and communication
capabilities with RP workers to ensure worker and plant safety
Increased Reliance/Use of RMT for Plant Workers by 2020, Including:

Biometrics

Position monitoring/location along with audio and visual interface with workers in
radiation areas
EPD Telemetry Growth Rates
•
In US, EPRI estimates RMT growth to be minimum of 10% per year
with new applications and technologies.
•
In US NPPs approx. 1/3 of all EPDs are transmitting.
•
The Vision is to expand and include all workers on transmitting EPDs
that include Biometrics, Positioning and location features
Growth in Biometrics is Expanding

Growth of wireless technologies
with Biometrics is expanding
(Heat stress with older individuals
is an issue)

The introduction of Biometric
monitoring of individuals along
with dose and dose rate will
become standard in workplace
monitoring.

Other emerging technologies is
growing.
ALARA Add-On Devices

New ALARA devices

Links EPD to wrist display

Bluetooth connection

Allows easy Viewing

Alarm Notification
High Radiation Area Access Control
Challenges
• High Radiation Area
Violations
• Personnel Entry – Potential
Overexposure
Solutions
• Active Engineered RMT
Controls
• Warning Systems, which are
triggered when an individual
approaches
• Non-Stop Network Video
Recording
• Remote command access
door
Future of RMT
Flexibility is Key

The key to any RMT system in the future lies with the flexibility of its design and its impact on system
infrastructure
The Benefits are Clear

Customers see the value with RMT systems

Fleet RPM Manager feedback:

“ I would like to see all workers entering RCA areas to be constantly monitored to minimize
worker exposure and daily challenges in the field.”
Communication Between Electronic Devices

The ability of electronic devices (such as smart dosimeters) to integrate and communicate is key

As the industry expands its use, we cannot continue relying on the standard protocols of the past
RMT – Growing Globally

The Growth of RMT Globally is expanding and projected @ min 10% /year based on discussions with
EPRI.
Develop Detail Assessment & Site Plan

Remote Monitoring is present everywhere and people have become
comfortable using it for many applications.

The advantages of wireless system are numerous, and challenges
associated with RMT within plants need to be addressed.

Challenges with existing systems (i.e. Lost communication) can be
minimized/avoided.

Development of site wireless assessment plan is essential for various
wireless devices
What are the Challenges
Typical Field Issues
Causes
• Data Loss
• Throughput
• Interference
• Number of devices
• Loss Connections
• Environmental Characteristics
• Bandwidth
• Data Rate
Bandwidth, Data Rate, and Throughput
Bandwidth
Data Rate
Throughput
• “Bandwidth” typically means one of two things:
• 1. The actual width of a frequency band measured in Hz (Hertz) where
the effective bandwidth is the frequency band that is actually carrying
data. or
• 2. The maximum data rate available (bits per second) in a
communication link.
• The “data rate” of a particular wireless standard is the
maximum data transfer speed (bit per second) the
communication link can achieve, such as 54 Mbps for
802.11g. (specified transfer rate for raw data.)
• The actual user data rate is called the “throughput” of
the wireless link. Typically, we can expect the throughput
to be about half of the specified data rate (i.e., throughput
= 25 Mbps when data rate = 54 Mbps).
Packet Loss Descriptions

“Loss” is defined as packets that did not arrive and were dropped somewhere along the
network path.

Packet loss can occur anywhere along the network path for a variety of reasons. Common
reasons include:

„Layer-1 errors on the physical interfaces and cables along the path, such as a
malfunctioning cable and optical interface.

„Mis-configured network interfaces along the path, such as Ethernet speed/duplex
mismatches between devices.

„Bursts of packets exceeding the buffer (queue) limit or configurations on network
interfaces along the path, such as Ethernet switches with insufficient queue depth or
oversubscribed backplane architectures, or WAN router interfaces.

„A poor wireless network connection due to either distance to the access point or general
network congestion.
Signal Throughput
Understanding Throughput Requirements
• Knowing the data rate that a devices will send and
receive at is critical for planning the network.
• Result Packet Data Loss
Spec
Max. bit rate (Mbps)
Approx. application
throughput (Mbps)
802.11a
54
26
802.11b
11
6
802.11g
54
26
802.11n (2x2)
300
80 - 100
Channel Allocation

When using > one access point or other access
points in the area, identify the channels that will
be utilized on each adjacent access point

Avoid using the same channel as an adjacent
access point

For 2.4 GHz range - three channels (1,6 &11)
do not overlap. This will minimize a kind of
interference known as co-channel interference
Communication Systems –
Interconnections During Event
• As an industry, we are currently in the midst of a transformation
• We must determine how we can utilize RMT within plant site
boundaries AND off-site, in order to provide key information on:
• Radiological Parameters
• Environmental Conditions
• Personnel Health.
Key Planning Concepts
RMT Assessment

The overall RMT Assessment provides guidance and strengthens the plant’s approach to
ensure key information (video/audio/data) are received to be analyzed
Integrated Small Cell

The Integrated Small Cell becomes an important component of the spectrum management
plan that combines dynamic spectrum access across spectra as diverse as data, video and
audio
Emerging Techniques

Using emerging techniques such as Distributed Mobility Management (DMM), these will
provide efficient and high rate mobility solutions over localized regions, such as emergency
planning zones around nuclear facilities
A Future with RMT…

The vision is for integrated solutions that addresses the issue at both the network and
the customer user and management overview.

It starts with the key user devices, utilizing a smart connection manager that will fully
automate spectrum access to the point where the users will no longer have to think
about what cellular operator, what Wi-Fi SSID, what Bluetooth connection is needed

Users will simply start their apps- health monitoring. The smart connection manager will
take this information, examine the available connectivity options together with access
policies provided by the operator, and allocate the “right bandwidth” for the right
application.
Key Points

Successful Site Plan
 Must
understand System limitations and minimize communications
issues upfront
 Design
system for use vs ad-hoc

Expansion of monitoring capabilities of individuals

Integration of communications for onsite and offsite into one system
References

Menge, J. (2012) paper “Wireless Solutions”

Menge J. (2013) Fuji Electric Remote Monitoring Technology (RMT)

BCC Research; - Biometrics: Technologies and Global Markets

EPRI; Remote Monitoring Technology Guidelines for Radiation Protection, November
2004.

EPRI; Remote Monitoring Technology Interim Report: Industry Best Practices and
Lessons Learned November 2006.

Innovative Industrial Solutions (IIS) Datasheets.

INPO; Guidelines for Radiological Protection at Nuclear Power Stations, December
2005.

ISOE ALARA 2012 Presentations

MOXA; Industrial Wireless Guidebook.

MOXA; White Paper; “How Cellular Technology Transforms Remote Monitoring
Systems” by Daniel Liu.

Nuclear Energy Institute

Three Mile Island photo (unknown)
REMOTE MONITORING 2020 VISION
Thank You
SME Associates LLC
Providing Innovating Solutions