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SME Associates LLCProviding Innovative Solutions

REMOTE MONITORING 2020 VISION

JAMES P. MENGE PE, CHP

History of Remote Monitoring

• 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.

1982

• The initial systems used limited radio transmission and dial-up modem technology between two points for transfer of data.

Initial Systems

• In the 1990s, the systems began to advance to hardwired Ethernet/Internet connections that offered greater speed and reliability. 1990

• 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.

The Impact of Cellular

Technology

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

• A dramatic shift of resources is causing nuclear plants to do more with less in today’s environment.

Increased Burden on Nuclear Plants

• Remote personnel can troubleshoot issues, advise on-site engineering utilizing video and operators as how to remedy a problem quickly while improving performance

RMT – Efficient and Effective

• 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.)

Computer-Based Display Modules

• Today the use of smartphones and tablets within the field allow 2- way communications and data to be transferred improving overall performance.

Smartphones & Tablets

• The advantages of remote monitoring technology outweigh the associated challenges of implementing a RMT program. Worth the Challenge

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 RMTFlexibility 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

• Data Loss

• Interference

• Loss Connections

Causes

• Throughput

• Number of devices

• Environmental Characteristics

• Bandwidth

• Data Rate

Bandwidth, Data Rate, and 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.

Bandwidth

• 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.)

Data Rate

• 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).

Throughput

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

Spec Max. bit rate (Mbps) Approx. application throughput (Mbps)

802.11a 54 26

802.11b 11 6802.11g 54 26

802.11n (2x2) 300 80 - 100

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

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

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