Digital Real-Time Multiple Channel Multiple Mode Neutron Flux Estimation on FPGA-based Device

Mathieu Thevenin (1) , L. Barbot (2) , Gwenolé Corre (1) , Romuald Woo (1) , C. Destouches (2) , Stéphane Normand (1)

1 LCAE - Laboratoire Capteurs et Architectures Electroniques
2 LDCI - Laboratoire de Dosimétrie, de Contrôle-commande et Instrumentation

This paper presents a complete custom full-digital instrumentation device that was designed for real-time neutron flux estimation, especially for nuclear reactor in-core measurement using sub-miniature Fission Chambers (FCs). Entire fully functional small-footprint design (about 1714 LUTs) is implemented on FPGA. It enables real-time acquisition and analysis of multiple channels neutron's flux both in counting mode and Campbelling mode. Experimental results obtained from this brand new device are consistent with simulation results and show good agreement within good uncertainty. This device paves the way for new applications perspectives in real-time nuclear reactor monitoring.

Keywords: radioactivity; Electronic architecture; nuclear reactor; measurement; digital instrumentation; real-time neutron flux estimation; Fission Chamber; real-time acquisition; real-time analysis; multiple channels; neutron flux; counting mode; Campbelling mode; instrumentation; nuclear instrumentation; ionizing radiation

Domains: Instrumentation and Detectors [physics.ins-det]; Nuclear Experiment [nucl-ex]

Mathieu Thevenin, L. Barbot, Gwenolé Corre, Romuald Woo, C. Destouches, et al.. Digital Real-Time Multiple Channel Multiple Mode Neutron Flux Estimation on FPGA-based Device. ISRD 15 – International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry, May 2015, Aix-en-Provence, France. pp.05009, ⟨10.1051/epjconf/201610605009⟩. ⟨cea-01823483⟩