A portable thermal neutron detector prototype, using a PIN-type silicon photodiode coupled to a boron converter, was developed at the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN-CNEN/SP). Several boron layers were made by Pulsed Laser Deposition method and two different prototypes were made using distinct approaches in the associated electronics. The prototypes were characterized by measurements with the cold neutron beam at PHADES (Polarized 3He and Detector Experiment Station), in the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The distance between the prototype and the neutron source was different for each prototype: 70 cm (prototype one) and 7 cm (prototype two). The linearity behavior was verified for both prototypes in order to verify the relationship between counts and neutron fluence. The intrinsic efficiency values obtained for prototypes one and two were, respectively, (1.78 ?? 0.01)% and (5.2 ?? 0.4)%. The angular dependence was verified only for prototype one. The concept of this detector can be applied in a future dosimeter project.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient??fico e Tecnol??gico (CNPq)CNPq: 870240/1997-8