Demonstration of a remote surveillance system

This paper reports that the complexity of nuclear facilities continues to increase, as does the number and size of facilities which are being placed under international safeguards. This poses a major challenge to the IAEA Department of Safeguards during the current prolonged state of zero real growth. A combination of new technical measures and safeguards approaches offers a range of possibilities for overcoming some restrictions on IAEA safeguards. As part of the Australian Safeguards Assistance Program, the IAEA requested the demonstration of a remote surveillance system, using up-to-date technology, that could collect safeguards-relevant information and transmit it by the public switched telephone system. Zone Technology was contracted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization and the Australian Safeguards Office version of their Intelligent Digital Video system at ANSTO's HIFAR reactor, with transmission of event-activated video pictures of the spent fuel storage pond to the ASO office in Canberra and the IAEA in Vienna.