Distributed radiation monitoring system for linear accelerators based on CAN bus

Gamma and neutron radiation is produced during the normal operation of linear accelerators like the Free-Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) or the X-ray Free Electron Laser (X-FEL). Gamma radiation causes general degeneration of electronic devices and neutron fluence can be a reason for soft errors in memories and microcontrollers. The X-FEL accelerator will be built only in one tunnel, therefore most of the electronic control systems will be placed in a radiation environment. Exposing control systems to radiation may lead to many errors and unexpected failure of the whole accelerator system. Thus, the radiation monitoring system able to monitor radiation doses produced near controlling systems is crucial. Knowledge of produced radiation doses allows to detect errors caused by radiation, make plans of essential exchange of control systems and prevent accelerator from serious damages. The paper presents the project of the radiation monitoring system able to monitor the radiation environment in real time.