Moisture dependent Ku band microwave characteristics of red soil

Abstract

In this paper a study of the Ku band (12-18 GHz) properties of red soil obtained from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, due to moisture has been reported. The attenuation in the transmitted and reflected mode of the wetted soil has been measured using standard gain horn antenna. The effect of the angle of incidence (0° and 45°) is also reported. For very low moisture content, angle of incidence and angle of reflection dependent effects are observed. The results indicate that for very low moisture content detection in red soil, angle of incidence of 45° is more suitable and angle of reflection of 60° is most sensitive.