High penetration X-ray communication under physical shielding

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mu, Junxu^a | Tang, Xiaobin^{a; b; *} | Liu, Yunpeng^{a; b} | Hang, Shuang^a | Li, Huan^a | Zhou, Wei^a | Dang, Peng^a | Lai, Sheng^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Nuclear Science & Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China | [b] Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Application and Radiation Protection in Astronautics, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Nanjing, China

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Xiaobin Tang. Tel.: +86 13601582233; Fax: +86 025 52112908 80407; E-mail: tangxiaobin@nuaa.edu.cn.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Modern industrial facilities urgently need effective wireless communication technology to monitor instruments and equipment, but electromagnetic interference and physical shielding often exist in these fields, thereby preventing traditional communication methods from working correctly. OBJECTIVE:As a special wireless optical communication technology, X-ray communication (XCOM) is expected to solve the problem of signal transmission under this extreme condition. Our goal was to prove the feasibility of XCOM for signal transmission under metal barrier condition. METHODS:The Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the transmission characteristics of X-ray beam under metal barrier conditions, and the communication performance of XCOM was evaluated. Moreover, the experimental demonstration system of XCOM was developed to test the penetration and communication performance of XCOM under metal shield. RESULTS:X-ray with energy above 150 keV could achieve a bit error rate of less than 10–4 after passing through a 20 mm iron, whereas X-ray with energy above 250 keV could maintain excellent communication performance after passing through a 30 mm iron. The experimental test results were consistent with the theoretical calculation. CONCLUSIONS:As a new wireless optical communication technology, X-ray communication is expected to solve the problem of signal transmission under physical shielding conditions.

Keywords: X-ray communication, physical shielding, transmission characteristics of x-ray, communication performance

DOI: 10.3233/XST-190587

Journal: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 187-196, 2020