title: Simple system upgrades for outmoded health physics instrumentation.
abstract: Older radiation detection equipment used in Health Physics operations suffers from unreliable and outdated electronics, even when the radiation detectors, shielding, and mechanical components are still serviceable. Upgrading these systems through relatively simple interfaces to modern personal computers can provide a cost-effective solution to extend the life of these systems and provide state-of-the-art options for computer control and automation. This paper outlines the basic needs and requirements for this type of upgrade and describes three projects at University of Missouri--Columbia that have used this approach.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Engineering Program, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Greschner
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006283:Health Physics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008838:Microcomputers / Q000191:economics; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation*