Method of Soil Moisture Measurement by Impedance Spectroscopy with Soil Type Recognition for In-Situ Applications (Messverfahren zur Bodenfeuchtemessung mittels Impedanzspektroskopie mit Bodenarterkennung für In-situ-Anwendungen)

Abstract

Soil moisture sensor systems need extensive calibration processes because of the dependence on soil properties. A novel measurement method is presented which is based on impedance spectroscopy. This method takes advantage of impedance spectroscopy for the characterization of soil type and measurement of soil moisture with improved accuracy. A comprehensive compensation of cross-sensitivity effects is carried out. The soil type characterization was carried out by a multivariate analysis based on elaborated experimental investigations of different natural soils. The results show that the new measurement method provides a measurement accuracy that fulfills the requirements of respective applications.