Passive Microwave Soil Moisture Sensor Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave soil moisture sensors are either bulky, heavy, expensive, and unable to provide detailed soil moisture profiles, leading to unreliable irrigation practices in agriculture due to their inability to measure moisture distribution along the soil depth.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a wide-band passive microwave sensor device and a processing circuit, mounted on a mobile agricultural device, which measures natural thermal emissions from the soil using a wide-band antenna to compile a soil moisture profile, capable of measuring multiple microwave emissivity signals and providing a soil moisture map with GPS positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active microwave sensors (RADAR) are used to detect soil moisture, then soil moisture can be detected, but the sensors are bulky, heavy, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active microwave sensors (RADAR) with passive microwave radiometers. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical transmission components while maintaining soil moisture detection capability through measurement of natural thermal emissions from the soil.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential detection function from the complete RADAR system by using passive sensors that measure natural thermal emissions rather than requiring active transmission components, thereby reducing weight and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If existing microwave sensors measure a single frequency, then a moisture reading can be obtained, but information about moisture distribution along the soil profile is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the soil moisture measurement into multiple frequency components (broadband spectrum from 400 MHz to 2000 MHz). Each frequency provides information about moisture at different soil depths, creating a comprehensive soil moisture profile rather than a single aggregate reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds the frequency dimension to soil moisture measurement. By measuring across a broadband spectrum rather than at a single frequency, the system transforms a one-dimensional moisture reading into a multi-dimensional soil moisture profile that reveals vertical distribution patterns.
3Measurement precision
If stationary in-situ moisture probes are used, then soil moisture can be measured, but the results are unreliable and do not cover widespread areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the measurement system from stationary to mobile. The passive microwave radiometer system is mounted on a vehicle platform, enabling dynamic movement across widespread agricultural areas while continuously collecting soil moisture data, thereby combining measurement precision with broad area coverage.
4Device complexity
If farmers guess the soil moisture, then no measurement equipment is needed, but irrigation practices become unreliable leading to yield loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables farmers to independently assess soil moisture conditions using mobile passive microwave radiometry technology. The self-contained vehicle-mounted system provides reliable, objective moisture measurements that empower farmers to make informed irrigation decisions without relying on guesses or external services.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient measurement of soil moisture distribution, improving irrigation practices by providing detailed soil moisture profiles, thus optimizing crop growth and reducing yield loss from over or under irrigation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one passive microwave sensor device configured to measure natural thermal emissions from the soil
Implementation Method 2
measure natural thermal emissions from the soil and output a data signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring moisture in soil below the ground surface comprises at least one passive microwave sensor device configured to measure natural thermal emissions from the soil and output a data signal and a processing circuit operably coupled to the at least one passive microwave sensor wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive the data signal and compile a soil moisture profile. The system further comprises a wide-band antenna wherein the at least one passive microwave sensor is located therein and an elongate horizontal mounting frame extending between first and second ends wherein the first end is securable to a mobile agricultural device and wherein the wide-band antenna is secured to the second end so as to position the wide-band antenna at a distance above the ground surface.