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Heimovaara 1994
Heimovaara, T.J. (1994). Frequency domain analysis of time domain reflectometry waveforms. 1. Measurement of the complex dielectric permittivity of soils. Water Resources Research 30: doi: 10.1029/93WR02948. issn: 0043-1397.

The S11 scatter function of a coaxial probe in the frequency domain is shown to be an accurate model for predicting waveforms of a seven-wire coaxial probe in the time domain. Reproducibility of discrete Fourier analyses carried out on waveforms measured with the Tektronix 1502b cable tester (Tektronix, Incorporated, Beaverton, Oregon) indicated a frequency band width ranging from 20 kHz to approximately 1.5 GHz. The frequency dependent complex dielectric permittivity can be calculated from measured waveforms by inverting the S11 scatter function. Results indicate that a seven-wire coaxial probe, connected to a 1-m RG214 coaxial cable, emulates a coaxial tube for frequencies up to 150 MHz. Application of the frequency domain model to time domain reflectometry waveforms shows that the apparent dielectric permittivity calculated from the travel time in the probe is very dependent on the relaxation frequency of the material in which the probe is embedded. For materials with low relaxation frequencies the apparent dielectric permittivity is much lower than the static permittivity. Inversion of the frequency domain model allows for solving the frequency dependent complex dielectric permittivity of soils from measured waveforms.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Hydrology, Soil moisture, Electromagnetics, Measurement and standards, Electromagnetics, Transient and time domain, Hydrology, Instruments and techniques
Journal
Water Resources Research
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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