This publication summarizes the results of an IAEA coordinated research project on the application of wireless technologies in the nuclear industry. It provides an overview of the current knowledge, existing practices, operating experiences and benefits and challenges related to the use of the technology in instrumentation and control systems of nuclear facilities. The research areas covered were codes, standards and regulatory guides; wireless technologies for nuclear applications; practices, experience, lessons learned; potential wireless applications; and emerging technologies and challenges. The main part of the publication contains information derived from the results achieved in each research area. The annexes include supporting information and selected details of the research work that was performed. The information provided in this publication supports Member States' capabilities in the design, development, implementation, operation and, as necessary, licensing of wireless technologies in the nuclear industry.

• 1. INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1. Background
  • 1.2. Objective
  • 1.3. Scope
    • 1.3.1. Codes, standards and regulatory guides
    • 1.3.2. Wireless technologies for nuclear applications
    • 1.3.3. Practices, experience and lessons learned
    • 1.3.4. Potential wireless applications
    • 1.3.5. Emerging technologies and challenges
  • 1.4. Structure
• 2. Codes, standards and regulatory guides
  • 2.1. Introduction to wireless technologies and protocols
  • 2.2. Current status of standardization for nuclear power plant applications
  • 2.3. Wireless communication and the concept of defence in depth
  • 2.4. General requirements for wireless communication
    • 2.4.1. Member State governmental frequency control considerations
    • 2.4.2. Maximum transmission power
    • 2.4.3. Computer security
    • 2.4.4. Electromagnetic compatibility
    • 2.4.5. Wireless coexistence
    • 2.4.6. Exclusion zone development
• 3. Wireless technologies for nuclear applications
  • 3.1. Introduction
  • 3.2. Components of a wireless sensor
  • 3.3. Radiofrequency communication considerations
    • 3.3.1. Wireless network topology
    • 3.3.2. Wireless network standards and protocols
    • 3.3.3. Computer security
    • 3.3.4. Signal propagation and range of coverage
    • 3.3.5. Interference and coexistence
  • 3.4. Energy source considerations
    • 3.4.1. Power consumption
    • 3.4.2. Network throughput
    • 3.4.3. Power harvesting
  • 3.5. Nuclear specific considerations
    • 3.5.1. Environment and radiation effects
    • 3.5.2. Electromagnetic compatibility
    • 3.5.3. Integration with existing I&C systems and components
• 4. Practices, experience and lessons learned
  • 4.1. Introduction
  • 4.2. Case studies on process monitoring
    • 4.2.1. Deployment of a wireless sensor network for process measurement in the Fast Breeder Test Reactor at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, India
    • 4.2.2. Deployment of wireless sensor network for the measurement of sodium leak detection at the In Sodium Test Facility, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, India
    • 4.2.3. Deployment of wireless sensor network for the measurement of temperature and humidity at the Safety Grade Decay Heat Removal Loop in Natrium, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, India
  • 4.3. Case studies on equipment monitoring
    • 4.3.1. Wireless conditioning monitoring at Luminant’s Comanche Peak plant, United States of America
    • 4.3.2. Containment cooling fan on-line monitoring at the Arkansas One plant, United States of America
    • 4.3.3. Cooling tower fan motor monitoring at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, United States of America
    • 4.3.4. Vibration and temperature monitoring for fan motor at Exelon’s Limerick plant, United States of America
    • 4.3.5. Motor health monitoring at Southern California Edison’s San Onofre plant, United States of America
  • 4.4. Case studies on radiation monitoring in nuclear power plants
    • 4.4.1. Radiation monitoring at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, India
    • 4.4.2. Radiation monitoring at the Paks nuclear power plant, Hungary
  • 4.5. Tools for simulating wireless data transmission
    • 4.5.1. Microwave signal propagation
    • 4.5.2. Wi-Fi signal propagation
    • 4.5.3. Simulation
    • 4.5.4. Network simulators
  • 4.6. A wireless robotic system for severe accident applications in Japan
    • 4.6.1. Application requirements
    • 4.6.2. Wireless system configuration
    • 4.6.3. Wireless system prototype
    • 4.6.4. Testing
• 5. Potential applications
  • 5.1. Wireless systems for post-accident monitoring
    • 5.1.1. Requirements for post-accident monitoring
    • 5.1.2. Important considerations for wireless sensors used in post-accident monitoring applications
    • 5.1.3. A potential wireless post-accident monitoring network configuration
  • 5.2. Wireless spent fuel pool level instrumentation
  • 5.3. In-core radiation tolerant wireless transmitter
• 6. Emerging technologies and challenges
  • 6.1. Wireless communication through existing apertures in walls and doors
  • 6.2. Electromagnetic propagation estimation using ray tracing methods
  • 6.3. Electromagnetic non-line of sight propagation
  • 6.4. Optimum polarization wireless communication
  • 6.5. Wireless power transfer
• 7. Summary
• REFERENCES
• Annex I PROPOSED HIGHLY RELIABLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
• Annex II IN SITU ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE/RADIOFREQUENCY INTERFERENCE TESTING OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT EQUIPMENT
• Annex III INTERFERENCE DETECTION AND MITIGATION
• Annex IV RADIATION EFFECTS ON WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES
• Annex V EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION ON WIRELESS SIGNAL PROPAGATION
• Annex VI WIRELESS COMMUNICATION THROUGH EXISTING APERTURES IN WALLS AND DOORS
• Annex VII WIRELESS BASE STATION DEPLOYMENT SIMULATOR USING A RAY TRACING METHOD
• Annex VIII OVERVIEW OF NUMERICAL MODELLING AND ELECTROMAGNETIC SIMULATION METHODS FOR SIGNAL PROPAGATION IN THE PRESENCE OF PHYSICAL BARRIERS
• Annex IX ROTATING POLARIZATION WAVE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
• Annex X WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER UNDER SEVERE ACCIDENT SCENARIOS
• ABBREVIATIONS
• CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW