Vaishali V. Mane, Vijaya R. Puri
In this paper the studies in the Ku band (13-18 GHz) of non resonant Ag thick film microstripline overlaid with moisture laden sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) seed is reported. The perturbation obtained in the transmittance and reflectance of the thick film microstripline due to the sunflower overlay has been used to obtain permittivity. Using the amplitude data the permittivity and moisture content of moisture laden sunflower seed has been predicted by overlay technique. As moisture content increases microwave dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity of sunflower seed increases. Ag thick film microstripline is sensitive to very low moisture content in the overlay material. From the permittivity, the calibration factor for moisture sensing has been found and the moisture content in the sunflower seed has been predicted. The predicted moisture content and actual moisture content of the sunflower seed are almost identical.
