Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID ND_2023_Dey_1

Smart radiometer for soil moisture detection in view of an efficient irrigation system

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2023 Start Date: 2023-09-01 End Date: 2024-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $5,552 Total Non-Federal Funds: $5,565

Principal Investigators: Shuvashis Dey

Project Summary: This proposal aims to build an integrated microwave radiometer to detect soil moisture accurately in North Dakota, which is important for efficient water management and irrigation systems in the agriculture sector. Soil moisture content is a key factor that affects soil salinity and reduces agricultural productivity in North Dakota. Current soil moisture sensors are expensive and limited by network coverage. The proposed radiometer will have a smart antenna array with adjustable heights and orientation for flexible beam patterns. The radiometer will be less prone to errors and can be associated with existing irrigation systems for real-time soil moisture detection. The development of the radiometer will be verified in a lab environment before field deployment. The project aims to provide proof of concept and promote efficient and well-balanced irrigation management in North Dakota. The proposed radiometer is expected to provide a cost-effective and versatile solution to the soil moisture detection problem.