Parameter estimation using an interdigital dielectrometry sensor with finite-element software

A real-time software algorithm for calculating dielectric permittivity and conductivity of nondispersive and frequency dispersive insulating materials on the basis of non-destructive measurements is presented. First, the measured response of the interdigital dielectrometry sensor is simulated off-line with two-dimensional finite-element software over the entire range of input parameters. Then, experimental data points are interpolated and material properties are determined without iterative on-line calculations. Offline simulation lends valuable insights into sensitivity of the measurement and the uniqueness of the solution to the inverse problem of material characterization.