A Non-Destructive Testing Method in Industrial Processes to Determine the Complex Refractive Index Using Ultra-Wide Band Radio

An ultra-wide band measurement method for determining the complex refractive index of large-volume objects is presented. The method is intended for industrial non-destructive testing. It uses a frequency-domain technique in which transmitted radio pulses are analyzed and the effects of near field and coupling on the determined refractive index are compensated. Measurements were performed in an industrial setup with electromagnetic sensors buried in the object. The results are presented for woodchips as an object. The refractive index was experimentally determined in the frequency range 0.5-3.0 GHz. Additionally, we designed and manufactured planar quasi-differential elliptical-antennas as electromagnetic sensors. The results from the industrial measurement setup were compared with the results of the laboratory setup, in which the sensors were placed outside the test box and near field and coupling effects could be neglected. The complex refractive index determined for the two setups was in good agreement, which corroborates the proposed method for compensating for coupling and near-field effects. The complex refractive index of woodchips changes with the moisture content. It is experimental verified using the industrial setup that the moisture content can be determined with a 2 percent error.