Genie-PC Neutron Assay Software

Features

• True multitasking windowed software
• Menu structure for ease of operation
• Can be used with all CANBERRA Neutron Safeguards Assay Systems and Passive Waste Assay Systems
• Based on CANBERRA’s Genie-PC Software
• Analysis based algorithms developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
• Flexible analysis sequences to handle all assay operations
• All data, setup parameters, calibrations, analysis results stored for review or reanalysis
• Options for control of automated system operation
• Customer editable report formats
• Multi-level password control provides selective accessibility

Description

CANBERRA’s Genie-PC based Neutron Assay Software (NAS) is designed to handle all CANBERRA Neutron Safeguards and Passive Neutron Waste Assay applications. To accomplish this the package is designed to be extremely flexible. Various counter and detector arrangements, analysis sequences, hardware control, and reports can be generated from the standard software. The advantage of this is that a customer with a variety of neutron counters, or a variety of CANBERRA applications, can have a common look and feel between systems. Also, as a customer’s assay requirements change, the software can be easily adapted to handle the new requirements.

Because the software is so flexible, there are many menu options which are used to set up the desired features in the NAS software. However, once properly defined, an easy to use set of top level menus permit an operator to easily handle the routine assay and QA requirements of a typical day-to-day operation. In addition, the NAS multi-level password can be set up to keep the operator from seeing or accessing the setup and calibration menus.

The following sections describe some of the additional special features which make the NAS product the only neutron assay software to consider.

Genie-PC Based

The heart of the NAS software is CANBERRA’s Genie-PC. The NAS software can utilize all of the features of the Genie-PC software including:

• The Editors: nuclide library editor, analysis sequence editor
• All LANL Analysis Algorithms for Totals, Coincidence and Multiplicity Counting for passive and active systems
• Utility functions including calibration algorithms, MDA algorithms, etc.
• Multiposition Add-A-Source Matrix Correction (Optional S439 package)
• All Genie-PC QA trending and plotting capabilities
• All CANBERRA JSR-12, 2150 and JSR-14 setup, adjustment, and status commands
• Full storage of all data, setup parameters, calibration parameters, and analysis results in a file structure which facilitates review of data or reanalysis of questionable results
• Automated Operations (Optional S440 package)

Neutron Coincidence Analyzer Support

NAS will support all CANBERRA supplied Neutron Coincidence Analyzers including the:

• JSR-11 Neutron Coincidence Analyzer
• JSR-12 Neutron Coincidence Analyzer
• Multiplicity Module
• JSR-14 Neutron Assay Shift Register

For compatibility with other manufacturers’ neutron electronics modules, consult the factory.

Isotopics Data Support

NAS allows the Isotopics data used in the computation of the total plutonium or uranium masses to be input in several ways. The isotopics data may be entered from default lists, manual entry, or through data files. Future releases of NAS will integrate the neutron analysis and gamma isotopics measurements for fully automated assays.

Matrix Correction Routines

The most significant matrix effect in neutron assay is due to moderator content of the sample. Accurate quantification of the neutron emission requires a correction for this matrix effect. The optional S439 Software package implements the Add-A-Source (AAS) Correction Technique (developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory) and supports both single position and multiposition AAS corrections.

Mechanism Control Capabilities

The NAS software communicates with CANBERRA’s Model 2445 line of GE/Fanuc PLC controllers. These are used to control the mechanism and automation functions on all recent CANBERRA waste systems. A standard command format in the applications software allows one set of commands in the NAS software to perform a variety of mechanical functions based on the programming of the PLC control system.

Relational Database

The NAS software utilizes a commercial relational database (DB2) as a logbook to track sample information, data file locations, and key analysis results. Predefined search menus permit accessing data based on sample ID, sample description, or sample date. In addition, standard DB2 queries can be used to search or report on any other field in the database.

The logbook also keeps track of sample information after it has been archived and removed from the system disk. In this case it will indicate that the data must first be restored before the operator can reanalyze the data.

Finally, the NAS database structure is identical to CANBERRA’s Gamma Waste Assay Software (GWAS) database structure so that neutron and gamma results can be combined to maintain an integrated set of database results.

Reporting Capabilities

A variety of standard reports have been created for the standard waste system configurations at CANBERRA. However, a special feature of Genie-PC and the NAS software is the capability for the customer to edit existing or create new report templates which will fit particular site requirements. All report structures can be easily edited in a standard ASCII editor. Any parameter which is stored in the CAM file can be included in a report. In addition, results can be scaled or combined using the basic arithmetic operators of addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.

Specifications

MINIMUM COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

The following are the minimum recommended computer requirements. Operation can be greatly enhanced by using faster processors and additional memory.

- 486 Processor with 66 MHz clock speed (Pentium 60

  recommended).

- 20 MB of memory.

- OS/2 Operating System.

- 500 MB of hard disk capacity.

COMPLETE SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

NAS is normally sold in a package with all other required CANBERRA software. The complete package includes the following:

• S402C Genie-PC Basic Spectroscopy Stand-Alone Software (provides Genie-PC basic functionality)
• S405C Genie-PC Quality Assurance Software
• S430C Genie-PC Neutron Assay Software
• S480C DB2 Relational Database
• Software also required when used in certain applications
• S439C Genie-PC Add-A-Source Correction Software
• S440C Genie-PC Neutron Automation Software

MECHANISM CONTROL

For automated systems, the NAS software works with GE/Fanuc PLC control systems produced by CANBERRA, and which have been programmed for the NAS command structure. For support of other vendor automated systems, consult the factory.