Feasibility and demonstration of a cloud-based RIID analysis system

A significant limitation in the operational utility of handheld and backpack radioisotope identifiers (RIIDs) is the inability of their onboard algorithms to accurately and reliably identify the isotopic sources of the measured gamma-ray energy spectrum. A possible solution is to move the spectral analysis computations to an external device, the cloud, where significantly greater capabilities are available. The implementation and demonstration of a prototype cloud-based RIID analysis system have shown this type of system to be feasible with currently available communication and computational technology. A system study has shown that the potential user community could derive significant benefits from an appropriately implemented cloud-based analysis system and has identified the design and operational characteristics required by the users and stakeholders for such a system. A general description of the hardware and software necessary to implement reliable cloud-based analysis, the value of the cloud expressed by the user community, and the aspects of the cloud implemented in the demonstrations are discussed. •A prototype cloud-based RIID analysis system was implemented and demonstrated.•A cloud-based system was shown to be feasible with currently available technology.•A system study identified the operational characteristics required by the users.•The system study showed that the user community could derive significant benefit.•An architecture was defined for field testing by users in relevant environments.