Development andDesign ofMicrostrip Moisture Sensor forRiceGrain

Thispaper deals withtheanalysis anddesign ofamicrostrip sensor foraccurate determination of moisture content (MC)inricegrains. Thesensor consists offour layers- RT-Duroid substrate, protective layer, wetmediumasa sensing area, andair. A functional relationship hasbeendeveloped between microwave attenuation ofthesensor andmoisture content ingrains forfourlayered semi-infinite microstrip structure, andclose agreement hasbeen found between computed andexperimental results. The analysis ofelectromagnetic wavepropagation inthe sensor structure issimply represented andprediction of dielectric properties ofricegrains isgivenby a dielectric mixture model. Thisworkalsostudies the effect ofthicknesses ofprotective layer on the sensitivity ofthesensor. Thesensor issuitable for development asacomplete instrument andtoestimate theoptimum moisture content ofricegrains, more quickly andaccurately.