Radiation detection device and method

A radiation detection device comprising a data processor arranged to be communicatively coupled to a position sensor mounted on an unmanned vehicle and a solid state radiation sensor mounted on the unmanned vehicle, the data processor configured to:

• receive position data from the position sensor;
• receive radiation data from the solid state radiation sensor;
• and
• periodically associate the position data with radiation data to form combined data, wherein during creation of the combined data the unmanned vehicle is configured to move, relative to a target surface so as to be spaced therefrom by no more than 5 m.

A radiation detection device comprising a data processor arranged to be communicatively coupled to a position sensor mounted on an unmanned vehicle and a solid state radiation sensor mounted on the unmanned vehicle, the solid state radiation sensor is a semiconductor radiation sensor comprising a plurality of semiconductor detection panels, the orientation of a first detection panel of the plurality of semiconductor detection panels differs from that of another detection panel of the plurality of semiconductor detection panels, the data processor configured to:

• receive position data from the position sensor;
• receive radiation data from the solid state radiation sensor;
• and
• periodically associate the position data with radiation data to form combined data wherein a total detection area of the radiation sensor defined by one or more detection panels of the plurality of semiconductor detection panels is at least 10 cm2 in size.

A method comprising:

• receiving position data from a position sensor associated with an unmanned vehicle;
• receiving radiation data from a solid state radiation sensor associated with the unmanned vehicle;
• periodically associating the position data with radiation data to produce combined data to detect radiation;
• and
• moving the unmanned vehicle at a speed of less than 5 m/s during creation of the combined data.

An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a radiation detection device comprising a data processor communicatively coupled to a position sensor mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle and a solid state radiation sensor mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle, the radiation detection device configured to detect ionizing radiation, the data processor configured to:

• receive position data from the position sensor;
• receive radiation data from the solid state radiation sensor;
• and
• periodically associate the position data with radiation data to form combined data representative of a level of radiation at a location, wherein during creation of the combined data the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to move at a speed of less than or equal to 5 m/s, wherein the position sensor has a sensor for determining the distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and an underlying surface.