Design and Implementation of KIT Uno32-Based GM Counter

Abstract

The portable GM counter is designed and implemented using chipKIT Uno32 microcontroller board and the Velleman’s K2645 Geiger Muller (GM) counter module. The GM counter module consists of the GM tube and DC high voltage circuit. The radiation coming into the GM tube produces a small current due to the flow of electrons and positive ions. The electrons are then accelerated using high voltage to produce a small current pulse at the anode of the GM tube. The voltage pulse is obtained by placing appropriate resistor at the output. The output voltage pulse is used to drive the buzzer. The buzzer makes the sound every time the radiation enters the GM tube. The output voltage pulse has a peak of about 9 V. The voltage pulse is then divided using series resistors to obtain one third of the original value. The pulse is then fed to the input of the chipKIT Uno32 board to count the radiation. The radiation doses in μR/h are displayed on the LCD module.