Measurement of the complex dielectric pen-nittivity of homogeneous media with dipole antenna sensors

The technique utilizing dipole antenna sensors for determining the dielectric characteristics of homogeneous media at microwave frequencies is evaluated in this paper. In order to verify the applicability of the technique, theoretical modeling and experimental validation studies have been carried out. Focus is on the behavior of the absolute antenna impedance as function of height above a metal plate and above homogeneous sand. Attention is also paid to the impedance characteristics as a function of sandlayer thickness on top of a metal plate. The frequencies are 435 and 1120 MHz.