Development of an Internet of Things (IoT) embedded open-source gamma-ray detector using CMOS image sensor technology

This work presents a portable gamma-ray dosimeter which uses as a detector a CMOS image sensor mounted on a compact low-cost Internet of Things (IoT)-compatible ESP32-CAM embedded board. The detector uses simple, physics-based processing algorithms to allow for particle detection using CMOS image sensors on boards with limited processing capabilities. The detector enables real-time acquisition and processing, achieving nearly 100 % live measurement time, and the measurement results can be accessed from any device connected to the Wi-Fi network. A dose–event relation of (80 ± 5) nSv per event, calibrated with a Cs-137 gamma source, is suitable for cost-effective environmental radiation monitoring, personal dosimetry, or education purposes. The firmware is released as open-source, making it accessible for public use.