Flyability ELIOS 3 RAD User manual

FLYABILITY
ELIOS 3 RAD
USER MANUAL
Version 1.0
25.07.2023
FLYABILITY SA
[phone] — [e-mail]
EPFL INNOVATION PARK BLDG C | 1015 LAUSANNE | SWITZERLAND

Table of contents
Before starting 3
Elios 3 RAD System description 4
RDS-32 WR specification 4
Airplatform specification 5
Data Integration 6
Cockpit 6
Inspector 8
Limitation and good practice 9
Measurement delay 9
Angular response 9
Installation 11
Package Contents 11
Sensor mount installation and connection 11
Starting-up 13
Turning-off 13
License activation 14
RDS-32 WR configuration 14
Troubleshooting 15
Detector compatibility 15
Detector Not Turning On 15
No radiation data on cockpit 15
No radiation data on Inspector 15
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Before starting
This user manual focuses on the usage of the RDS-32 WR detector with Elios 3. As
the product will evolve, it is possible to find some minor differences between this
user manual and a further version of the product.
More detailed information on Elios 3 can be found in its specific User Manual
available at: https://knowledge.flyability.com.
Additionally, a full comprehensive user manual dedicated to the RDS-32 WR
detector can be found on the manufacturer website1
1https://www.mirion.com/products/technologies/health-physics-radiation-safety-instruments/portable-radiation-
measurement/handheld-health-physics-instruments/rds-32-radiation-survey-meters
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Elios 3 RAD System description
The Elios 3 RAD system comprises the RDS-32 WR detector, along with an
interface cable and mount designed specifically for Elios 3. This integrated system
allows for real-time transmission and visualization of radiation data, including
dose rate and cumulated dose, directly on Cockpit interface. Furthermore, the
detector data is stored within the drone, ensuring seamless integration with
Flyability Inspector for comprehensive post-flight analysis, review, and reporting.
RDS-32 WR specification
The provided radiation dosimeter, the RDS-32 WR, is a product of MIRION
TECHNOLOGIES. It is designed to detect both gamma radiation and X-rays. The
device utilizes two distinct sensor types: a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube for low-level
radiation detection, and a Silicon Diode (Si) for broader measurement capabilities.
The detector transitions from the GM tube to the Si diode when radiation levels
rise above 30 mSv/h and reverts back to the GM tube when levels fall below 10
mSv/h.
While the RDS-32 WR device is capable of integrating other probes to detect
Alpha, Beta, and neutron radiation, these additional probes are not compatible
with the Elios 3 drone.
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The RDS-32 WR complies with the IEC 60846 standard, ensuring reliable and
accurate measurements. The sensor is calibrated using a Cs-137 source, energy
662 keV.
A subset of its specifications is presented below:
Detector supported
Mirion RDS-32™ WR
Technology
Energy-compensated GM tube and
energy-compensated Si diode
IEC energy range
55 keV GM tube / 65 keV Si diode to 1.8
MeV
High energy response to Cs-137
4.4 MeV: GM tube 220%, Si diode 120%
6.7 MeV: GM tube 260%, Si diode 200%
Dose rate measurement range
0.05 μSv/h to 10 Sv/h
IEC dose rate measurement range
0.3 µSv/h to 10 Sv/h
Dose rate linearity2
-15% to +22% 0.3 μSv/h to 10 Sv/h
For the exhaustive list of specifications, please refer to the sensor's detailed
documentation on the Mirion Technologies website3
Airplatform specification
The flight specifications of Elios 3 are impacted by the extra weight of the
radiation detector. The impacted specifications are found below:
Flight time4
7min30s w/ Lidar
9min45s w/o Lidar
Max operating temperature
45° C (113° F) w/ Lidar
50° C (122° F) w/o Lidar
Max wind resistance
4 m/s (13.1 ft/s) in assist mode
6 m/s (19.7 ft/s) in sport mode
Maximum altitude
2000 m (7,218 ft) w/ Lidar
3000 m (9,843 ft) w/o Lidar
Crashworthiness
Max 1 m/s for direct frontal contact on
the sensor
4In ideal flight conditions, with a new battery
3https://www.mirion.com/products/technologies/health-physics-radiation-safety-instruments/portable-radiation-
measurement/handheld-health-physics-instruments/rds-32-radiation-survey-meters
2The sensor will yield an attenuated dose rate result when the heavy components of the drone such as the
battery or main body are aligned with the detector and radiation source
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Battery life
The additional weight of the payload
results in increased power
consumption by the battery, which
may lead to accelerated battery wear.
While the battery is still designed to
function for 50 cycles, the maximum
capacity, and hence flight time, may
decline more rapidly when compared
to flying without the payload
Data Integration
The dosimeter transfers to Elios 3 the current dose rate, sensor cumulated dose
and status Flag at a rate of 0.5 Hz, or 1 measurement every 2 seconds. These data
are integrated within Cockpit for live monitoring and Inspector for post flight
analysis and reporting. The dose rate saturates at 10Sv/h.
Cockpit
Here's an overview of key data indicators you'll find on the Elios 3 user interface
during the drone's operation with the RDS-32 WR detector
Dose rate gauge: This live indicator displays the current dose rate recorded by the
detector. The units can be customized to REM or Sv in the 'Radiation' tab.
Depending on the detected radiation, the value will automatically be displayed in
either micro, milli, or standard units. If the radiation levels exceed 10 Sv/h, the
green indicator will change to red, signaling detector saturation.
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Max dose rate of the session (MAX): This value represents the highest dose rate
transmitted by the detector to the drone since the drone was powered on.
Cumulative dose of the session (CML): This value represents the total
accumulated radiation dose since the drone was powered on. It is calculated by
subtracting the detector’s initial dose from the current dose reading.
Cumulative dose of the drone: This value, displayed in the ‘Radiation’ tab of
Cockpit, represents the total dose that the drone receives when plugged-in to a
radiation payload.
Measurement historic: This logarithmic graph displays the dose rate values
recorded over the last two minutes of the drone's operation.
Threshold Indicator: Within the 'Radiation' tab, you can set a dose rate threshold.
If this threshold is reached during operation, it will be visibly marked on the
'Measurement History' graph with a red line. Additionally, a warning notification
will be triggered.
Live radiation map: The drone trajectory is colorized according to the dose rate
measured along the flight path.
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Inspector
The Inspector application offers several features designed to display and analyze
radiation data gathered by your Elios 3 drone equipped with the RDS-32 WR
detector. Here's an overview of these features:
Current Dose and Dose Rate: This shows the cumulative dose of the session and
dose rate at a selected point on the timeline. This allows you to pinpoint the exact
radiation levels at a specific moment during the drone's flight. You can switch
between Sv and Rem in Inspector settings
Dose Rate Graph: This feature plots the dose rate over time, with the
measurements displayed in μSv/h. The graph starts at the moment the drone is
armed (time 0). By right-clicking and dragging your mouse pointer along the
graph, you can measure the cumulative dose over a specified period of time.
Point of Interest (POI) Measurement: This is the dose rate recorded at a
designated Point of Interest. The measurement is shown in micro, milli, or
standard Sv/h.
Dose Rate Localization: This feature colorizes the drone's 3D flight trajectory
based on the measured dose rate values. This offers a visual representation of the
radiation levels encountered throughout the flight, helping you identify areas of
higher radiation more easily.
Data Export: The report feature automatically adds the POIs with dose rate to
your report. Additionally, you can export the radiation data in a timestamped CSV
file.
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Limitation and good practice
In order to maximize the value of your radiation payload, some limitations and
guidelines are provided below.
Measurement delay
The inherent characteristics of the Geiger-Müller tube mean that dose rate data
may require a certain period to stabilize and accurately reflect the actual radiation
level. The time needed for data convergence can vary based on multiple factors,
including the dose rate value, its rate of change, and the direction of this change.
The following table offers approximate convergence times under different
conditions:
Radiation Field
Convergence Time
(Field Increasing)
Convergence Time
(Field Decreasing)
<10mSv/h
1-10 seconds
5-20 seconds
10-30 mSv/h
1-5 seconds
5-10 seconds
>30mSv/h
1-5 seconds
1-10 seconds
When gathering radiation data with low radiation field, it is recommended to
1. Fly at a slow speed to get precise trajectory colorization based on the dose
rate
2. Keep the drone steady for a few seconds to ensure the dose rate indicator
converges while taking a Point of Interest.
Angular response
The accuracy of radiation measurements can be affected by the drone's
orientation relative to the radiation source for two reasons:
Geiger-Müller Tube Sensitivity: The RDS-32 WR geiger müller tube is inherently
less sensitive when the radiation source aligns with its axis. This can result in lower
measurement values in certain orientations.
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Attenuation in Heavy Components: Radiation particles passing through heavy
components of the detector or the drone, such as the battery or LiDAR, may have
their measurements underestimated due to attenuation in these materials.
For ambient radiation measurements where the radiation source is diffuse, the
measurements remain accurate as most of the drone's angular response is not
attenuated.
However, for hotspot measurements, it is important to align the front of the drone
with the source of radiation emission to obtain accurate readings.
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Installation
Package Contents
The following components are part of the package:
●Transport box
●Detector box with calibration certificate
●Custom battery cover
●Sensor support
●Connection cable
●Screws and screwdrivers
●Quick start guide with activation card
Sensor mount installation and connection
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Starting-up
Follow these steps to get the system up and running:
1. Make sure you are using Cockpit 3.5 or further for the tablet and Avionics
23-09 or further for the drone software
2. Start by turning on the controller.
3. Open Cockpit application on the tablet.
4. Power on Elios 3 drone.
5. To activate the detector, perform a short+long press on the central button
of the RDS-32 WR detector until the screen turns on. After a few seconds,
the data transmission icon should start blinking, indicating that the
detector is transmitting data to the drone.
If your drone license is already activated for the radiation payload, you will notice
the radiation widget appearing on the bottom left part of the Cockpit flight
screen on the tablet.
Turning-off
To turn-off the detector, perform a short+long press on the central button until
the screen turns off. You can do this either before or after turning off the drone.
Important: Remember to manually turn off the detector after the mission since
there is no auto-shutdown feature. If you forget, the detector AA batteries will get
drained after a few hours or days, and you will need to replace them.
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License activation
License activation is a necessary step when starting up Elios 3 with the radiation
payload for the first time. To activate the license, follow these steps:
1. Ensure that your tablet is connected to the internet through Wi-Fi or other.
2. Power on Elios 3 and the RDS-32 WR detector.
3. Upon starting Cockpit application, a pop-up will appear after connection to
the drone, guiding you trough the radiation payload activation process.
You’ll need to log on your Flyability account.
4. Inside the quick start guide in the transport box, you will find a QR code
required for the activation process.
5. Once the license activation is successfully completed, your drone will be
fully activated, and you won't need to repeat these steps in the future.
It's important to note that the license is tied to the drone itself, not to the
detector. So, even if you change or swap the detector, the drone will remain
activated for the radiation payload, and there's no need to activate the license
again.
RDS-32 WR configuration
The detector provided in the package will be already configured by Flyability. If
you use a detector not provided by Flyability, it will require to be configured using
the CSW-32 Configuration Software and USB cable-link (not provided, can be
obtained from Mirion). Contact support@flyability.com to get explanations on the
configuration steps.
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Troubleshooting
Detector compatibility
The radiation payload is compatible with the RDS-32 WR from MIRION
TECHNOLOGIES. Other versions exist such as the RDS-32, RDS-32ITx,
RDS-32iTxWR and RDS-31. These versions may work if connected to Elios 3, it has
however not been validated and we can't guarantee the compatibility of Elios 3.
Thus, Flyability will offer no support related to these detectors.
Detector Not Turning On
1. Verify that the central button is being pressed correctly for the required
duration (short+long press).
2. Check if the AA batteries are correctly inserted with the right polarity and
have sufficient power.
No radiation data on cockpit
If no radiation widget is displayed on Cockpit flight screen when the radiation
payload is plugged on the drone, try the following steps:
1. Check that the detector is turned on
2. Check that the data transmission icon blinks on the detector screen, if it is
not the case, try to restart the detector. If the problem persists contact
support@flyability.com
3. Verify that the drone and cockpit software version are updated by going to
the INFO tab in Cockpit. It should be Avionics 23-09 or further, Cockpit 3..5
or further.
4. Check that the connection cable is correctly connected on the detector on
one side and on the AUX port on the drone side.
5. Restart Cockpit, the drone, the remote control and the detector.
6. If the problem persists, contact support@flyability.com
No radiation data on Inspector
If no radiation features are displayed on Inspector when you upload a flight, try
the following steps:
1. Check that you are using Inspector 4.5 or further
2. Remember if the flight was not done with a radiation payload connected
and a radiation payload license activated. If not, Inspector will not display
the radiation features.
3. Control that your drone has the radiation payload license activated. To do
so, connect the detector to Elios 3, and start the full system.
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a. If the radiation widget is displayed on Cockpit flight screen, the
license is activated, contact support@flyabililty.com if the problem
persists
b. If no radiation widget is displayed on Cockpit flight screen, follow the
steps for the license activation.
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