• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2001

The objective of this study was to develop a real-time soil moisture meter using RF impedance. The impedance suchas capacitance and resistance (or conductance) was analyzed using parallel cylinder type capacitance probe(C-probe) and Q-meter (HP4342). The capacitance and conductance of soil increased as volumetric water content increased. The 5 MHz of modified Colpitts type crystal oscillator was designed to detect the capacitance change of the C-probe with moist soil. A third order polynomial regression model was proposed to describe the relationship between RF impedance and volumetric water content. The prototype real time moisture meter consisted of the C-probe, sample container, oscillator, frequency counter and related signal processing units. The calibration equation for measurement of volumetric moisture content of soil was developed and validated. The correlation coefficient and root mean square error between measured volumetric water content by oven method and predicted values by prototype moisture meter for unknown soil samples were 0.984 and 0.032$cm^3$$cm\^3$, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.427-435
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• 1995

In order to discuss the differences among the SMP(Surface Moisture Availability Parameter), by previous researchers on the basis of their own theoretical and empirical background, we assessed the SMP according to the soil types and volumetric soil water contents. The results are as follows. There are differences among all the five SMAPs. There's a tendency that the larger grain size, the higher value of parameters. And they divided into two groups for their value: one group has parameters with exponential function and the other with cosine and linear function. The maximum difference between the two groups appears when the volumetric soil water contents are 0.07m3m-3 for sand, 0.l1m3m-3 for loam, 0.12 for clay, and 0.13m3m-3 for silt loam. So, these differences must be considered when we estimate the surface evaporation rate. From field data, the paddy field soil around Junam reservoir is classified as a silt has high wetness, 0.56. So, the parameter obtained from the field measurement is much higher than that of Clapp and Hornberger(1978)'s Table. This study treated the SMP for a certain point of time in winter season. But if we measured the soil water contents continuously, we could obtain better time-dependent parameter. Key words : SMAP(Surface Moisture Availability Parameter), Paddy field, Volumetric soil water content, Evaporation, Capillary potential.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.869-881
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• 2022

In this study, a field study was conducted to investigate the relationship between high-resolution remote images and the volumetric moisture, and the number of compaction. Changes in the shape of the surface and soil moisture content were observed and correlated with the number of compactions using roller equipment. As the compaction is repeated, the surface is flattened and the terrain curvature decreases and converges to zero. In particular, the tangential curvature changes as the number of compactions increase. Due to soil compaction, the vegetation index changed from a positive to a negative value, and most of the test site area was homogenized with a negative index. This suggests a decrease in porosity and an increase in volumetric water content associated with increasing soil compaction. Soil moisture, measured using a frequency domain reflectometry(FDR) sensor, tends to increase proportionately with the number of vibration compactions, but the correlation between the number of compactions and soil moisture is unclear. This study suggests that while it is necessary to consider the reproducibility of the experiments performed, the compaction quality of the soil can be evaluated using high-resolution terrain factors and soil moisture.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.41-41
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• 1995

In order to discuss the differences among the SMP(Surface Moisture Availability Parameter), by previous researchers on the basis of their own theoretical and empirical background, we assessed the SMP according to the soil types and volumetric soil water contents. The results are as follows. There are differences among all the five SMAPs. There''s a tendency that the larger grain size, the higher value of parameters. And they divided into two groups for their value: one group has parameters with exponential function and the other with cosine and linear function. The maximum difference between the two groups appears when the volumetric soil water contents are 0.07$m^3m^{-3}$ for sand, 0.l1$m^3m^{-3}$ for loam, 0.12 for clay, and 0.13$m^3m^{-3}$ for silt loam. So, these differences must be considered when we estimate the surface evaporation rate. From field data, the paddy field soil around Junam reservoir is classified as a silt has high wetness, 0.56. So, the parameter obtained from the field measurement is much higher than that of Clapp and Hornberger(1978)''s Table. This study treated the SMP for a certain point of time in winter season. But if we measured the soil water contents continuously, we could obtain better time-dependent parameter.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.235-241
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• 2014

A ground-based microwave scatterometer has an advantage for monitoring soil moisture content using multi-polarization, multi-frequencies and various incidence angles. In this paper, ground-based multi-frequency (L-, C-, and X-band) polarimetric scatterometer system capable of making observations every 10 min was used to monitor the soil moisture conditions in a corn field over an entire growth cycle. Measurements of volumetric soil moisture were obtained and their relationships to the backscatter observations were examined. Time series of soil moisture content was not corresponding with backscattering coefficient pattern over the whole growth stage, although it increased until early July (Day Of Year, DOY 160). We examined the relationship between the backscattering coefficients from each band and soil moisture content of the field. Backscattering coefficients for all bands were not correlated with soil moisture content when considered over the entire stage ($r{\leq}0.48$). However, L-band Horizontal transmit and Horizontal receive polarization (HH) had a good correlation with soil moisture ($r=0.85^{**}$) when LAI was lower than 2. Prediction equations for soil moisture were developed using the L-HH data. Relation between L-HH and soil moisture shows linear pattern and related with soil moisture content ($R^2=0.77$). Results from this study show that backscattering coefficients of microwave scatterometer appear to be effective to estimate soil moisture content in the field level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.65-68
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• 2001

This study was conducted to develop a soil moisture meter using capacitance probe. A parallel cylinder type capacitance probe (C-probe) was fabricated The 5 MHz of crystal oscillator was constructed to detect the capacitance change of the C-probe with moist soil. A third order polynomial regression model for volumetric water content having oscillation frequency changes at 5 MHz as independent variables presented the determination coefficient of 0.979 and root mean square error of $0.031\;cm^{3}cm^{3}$ for all soil samples. A prototype soil moisture meter consisting of the sample container, C-probe, oscillator, frequency counter and related signal procession units presented the correlation coefficient of 0.987 and the root mean square error of $0.032\;cm^{3}cm^{3}$ as compared with the oven drying method for unknown soil samples.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2022

As research on a controlled environment system based on crop growth environment sensing for sustainable production of horticultural crops and its industrial use has been important, research on how to properly utilize soil moisture sensors for outdoor cultivation is being actively conducted. This experiment was conducted to suggest the proper method of utilizing the TEROS 12, an FDR (frequency domain reflectometry) sensor, which is frequently used in industry and research fields, for each orchard soil in three regions in Korea. We collected soils from each orchard where fruit trees were grown, investigated the soil characteristics and soil water retention curve, and compared TEROS 12 sensor calibration equations to correlate the sensor output to the corresponding soil volumetric water content through linear and cubic regressions for each soil sample. The estimated value from the calibration equation provided by the manufacturer was also compared. The soil collected from all three orchards showed different soil characteristics and volumetric water content values by each soil water retention level across the soil samples. In addition, the cubic calibration equation for TEROS 12 sensor showed the highest coefficient of determination higher than 0.95, and the lowest RMSE for all soil samples. When estimating volumetric water contents from TEROS 12 sensor output using the calibration equation provided by the manufacturer, their calculated volumetric water contents were lower than the actual volumetric water contents, with the difference up to 0.09-0.17 m³·m^-3 depending on the soil samples, indicating an appropriate calibration for each soil should be preceded before FDR sensor utilization. Also, there was a difference in the range of soil volumetric water content corresponding to the soil water retention levels across the soil samples, suggesting that the soil water retention information should be required to properly interpret the volumetric water content value of the soil. Moreover, soil with a high content of sand had a relatively narrow range of volumetric water contents for irrigation, thus reducing the accuracy of an FDR sensor measurement. In conclusion, analyzing soil water retention characteristics of the target soil and the soil-specific calibration would be necessary to properly quantify the soil water status and determine their adequate irrigation point using an FDR sensor.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.369-376
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• 2003

This study was conducted to develop a precision measurement method of water content in soil (find sand and silty sand) using dual RF impedance changes. The electrically stable perpendicular plate capacitive sensor was fabricated and utilized to sense the water content in soil. Crystal oscillators of 5 and 20 MHz and related circuits were designed to detect the capacitance changes of a perpendicular plate capacitive sensor with soil samples at various volumetric water contents. A multiple regression model for volumetric water content having dual oscillation frequency changes at 5 and 20 MHz as independent variables resulted in coefficient of determination of 0.963 and standard error calibration of 0.030 cm$^3$/cm$^3$ for calibration and coefficient of determination of 0.966, standard error of prediction of 0.027 cm$^3$/cm$^3$ and bias of 0.001 cm$^3$/cm$^3$ for prediction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.407-413
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• 1998

Considerable progress has been made in the application of time-domain reflectrometry(TDR) to measurement of soil water content. The TDR provides a means of monitoring the water content of soil over a wide range of values, in the field and in the laboratory The TDR measures the volumetric moisture content of the soil via a bureid sensor(probe). Probes can be buried and monitored remotely and an immediate result can be obtained. In addition to, the results are very reliable.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 2011

This study proposes an inversion algorithm to extract the surface parameters, such as surface roughness and soil moisture contents, using multi-frequency SAR data. The study areas include the tidal flats of Jebu Island and the reclaimed lands of Hwaong district on the western coasts of the Korean peninsula. SAR data of three frequencies were accordingly calibrated to provide precise backscattering coefficients through absolute radiometric calibration. The root mean square (RMS) height and the correlation length, which can describe the surface roughness, were extracted from the backscattering coefficients using the inversion of the Integral Equation Method (IEM). The IEM model was appropriately modified to accommodate the environmental conditions of tidal flats. Volumetric soil moisture was also simultaneously extracted from the dielectric constant using the empirical model, which define the relations between volumetric soil moistures and dielectric constants. The results obtained from the proposed algorithm were verified with the in-situ measurements, and we confirmed that multi-frequency SAR observations combined with the surface scattering model for tidal flats can be used to quantitatively retrieve the geophysical surface parameters in tidal flats.