Note: there is a newer version of this project, KIT1.1, see it here

If I was to give this project a version number, the closest match would be the uRADMonitor model B. Finally an open source compact radiation dosimeter, that has an LCD and thus allows mobile use, but also comes with an Ethernet adapter so it can do radiation monitoring (uRADMonitor compatible). Yet, this is not quite the uRADMonitor model B, just close. This is a DIY Geiger Counter Kit, that was designed due to popular demand. Now, all those asking for a uRADMonitor Kit have a nice alternative in this device. This circuit uses a single layer PCB and only trough hole components, making the construction so much easier for all the DIY enthusiasts. But this is not to replace the uRADMonitor model B, which will follow later this year.

Features

The video shows the first prototype, built using the toner transfer method. As said, it was designed using through hole components, on a single layer PCB board. It features the Atmel 328p microcontroller, as the central processing unit, that runs the firmware code. There’s a slot to mount a SBM-20 Geiger tube, a connector for the Ethernet module and one for the Nokia 5110 LCD screen. Both the LCD and the Ethernet adapter can be removed, allowing you to configure the final device: make that a portable dosimeter, a monitoring station or both. A speaker provides audible signals, including clicks and alarm, and a push button permits user interaction with the software. The bottom part of the PCB can be used to mount a battery holder for two alkaline batteries in series, or the unit can be powered using the DC connector, via a LM317 regulator. The entire board runs on 3V, and the high voltage inverter boosts that up to 380V (configurable in software up to 500V). The inverter uses a ferrite core transformer, connected to a switching transistor controlled via PWM signal by the microcontroller. An ADC port reads the high voltage level via a resistive divider, and adjusts the duty cycle so that the output voltage matches the value configured in the software. Therefore this is an efficient regulated high voltage supply.

More Details

The first time the unit is switched on, it will show the uRADMonitor logo. If the ethernet module is connected and the firmware is compiled with Ethernet support, the device will wait for a DHCP lease, part of the Ethernet initialisation procedure:

With the network cable properly connected, this takes around 11 seconds on most routers. As soon as the network settings are received, the unit shows the interface screen:

The firmware version at the time of writing this article contains three distinct user interface screens, that can be toggled using the PCB button. Besides changing the current screen page, the button also toggles the LCD backlight, which is turned off after a timeout of 10seconds, to save power. In case the dosimeter alarm is triggered by a high radiation dose, the user is automatically taken to the first screen, to see all radiation readings in real time.
The second screen page, shows some absolute readings, computed from the time the device was turned on, as no persistent storage has been used for this application:

The total time and the total number of pulses are used to compute the absolute average CPM. The maximum CPM is also displayed.
Finally, the third page shows the network settings, if the Ethernet module is connected and the Ethernet support enabled in the firmware: ip, gateway, netmask and the uradmonitor data server as resolved by DNS. Lot’s of network protocol stuffed inside this unit, and there is still plenty of memory left:

The ping counter was added for debugging purposes. It shows the number of pings received by the unit.

The circuit diagram

The schematics were designed using Eagle.

A few notes:
When mounting the Ethernet enc28j60 module to the PCB, the CLK and INT pins should be removed. We only need 2×4 pins for this application.
The T6 transistor is not required, and should not be mounted.

The Ferrite core transformer
It has a 16 turns primary with 0.2mm CuEm wire, and the secondary with 400 turns of thiner 0.07mm CuEm wire, all wound in the same direction. The Ferrite core itself is an ICE 22 core with a diameter of 1.4cm, and an AL of 2800. For any additional questions, use the comments section of this page.

Released as Open Source

This entire work has been released under GPL v2. It includes the circuit diagram as Eagle files, and the firmware source code. Revisions will be added from time to time, to fix bugs or bring enhancements. To review the GPL v2 license, click here.

Source code repos are available on Github or a first code release can be downloaded here.

Precompiled firmware / hex file

For those of you that want to avoid the hassle of downloading and compiling the code, I have included the compiled code below. One variant is a simple, offline code that works without the Ethernet module, while the second adds support for Ethernet as well.
offline-firmware
enc28j60-module-firmware
Some instructions on how to burn a hex firmware file to the microcontroller are provided in this article.

Final notes

Code for joining the uRADMonitor network is currently available only on request due to sensitive security details involved.
With the Ethernet enabled firmware and an enc28j60 mini module correctly connected, you’ll be able to access the unit via the LAN, in a similar fashion to the official uRADMonitor units:

Upgrades

There is a newer version of this project, KIT1.1, see it here

Variants built by others

Mykola did an excellent job at completing his KIT1 dosimeter from scratch, including the PCB and the ferrite core. The display shows it is already operating successfully, and once Mykola gets a network module to plug it in the 2×4 connector, he’ll be able to join the uRADMonitor network with the first node in Ukraine.

Frank posted a video of his new uRADMonitor KIT1 equipped with an enc28j60 network adapter. Looks great Frank! can’t wait to see your data online

Antonio went the PRO way:

Doru built everything from scratch, and he still needs to add the ferrite transformer and the Geiger tube: