Importance

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Abstract

A radiation detector having wide-range sensitivity is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a radiation detector for detecting a radiation condition is provided. The radiation detector includes a plurality of sensors each of which detect radiation in a spectral band and output an analog signal in response to the amount of radiation in the spectral band, a converter system associated with each of the sensors for converting each analog signal to a digital signal, and a processor coupled to the converter system for using the digital signals to output a detection signal. The converter system has a sensitivity range which includes a minimum magnitude and a maximum magnitude of the analog signals. The processor can detect the radiation condition in an environment which concurrently induces the minimum magnitude in the analog signal of one of the sensors, and the maximum magnitude in the analog signal of a different one of the sensors. The radiation detector may, for example, be a fire detector which detects fire conditions such as unwanted or potentially dangerous fires or flames.

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First Claim