3D Laser-based System for Design Information Verification

Abstract

The Nuclear Safeguards group at the Joint Research Centre, Ispra site, Italy, developed a 3D laser based tool for Design Information Verification (DIV) purposes. DIV is becoming increasingly important in International Safeguards as a way to verify that the plant set-up is consistent with the declared intent of its activities. This is particularly true for the complex environment of new nuclear installations. The DIV system is divided in two main components: (i) a commercial off-the-shelf laser range scanner for data acquisition, i.e., capture the 3D coordinates, of a given environment and (ii) the suite of software applications needed to create an accurate 3D reference model, automatically analyse a verification model and detect changes, as well as manage all acquired and processed datasets, including secure storage and data authentication. This system is currently being used by the IAEA. The presentation will focus on the technical characteristics of the laser based DIV system and will detail the processing framework leading to the automated detection of changes and reporting to inspectors.