Computer aided measurement of dielectric properties of saline solutions using a six-port reflectometer

An open-ended coaxial line is used as a nondestructive broadband impedance sensor to measure the permittivity of an NaCl aqueous solution as a function of concentration, temperature, and wave frequency, using a six-port reflectometer (SPR). Permittivity measurements obtained from 2.5 to 4 GHz with the SPR are compared to results previously published. It is found that the SPR can provide broadband permittivity measurements with an accuracy comparable to that of automatic network analyzers, but at considerable reduction in equipment costs.<
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