Microstrip antennas in subsurface sensing

This paper reviews the various applications of microstrip antennas with special emphasis on subsurface sensing microwave moisture measurement and nondestructive testing of dielectric materials. With reference to the literature, we first describe the commonly used GPR-antennas, the printed Vivaldi-antennas,and mirostrip antennas used in moisture content measurement. Furthermore, attention is given to the problems of new antenna technologies, showing examples for active integrated antennas, a photonic band gap patch antenna and a silicon micromachined patch antenna. The reminder of the paper summarizes relevant R&D activities in microstrip antennas at BUTE/DMT, focusing on near-field experiments, monitoring of particleboards and WLAN-applications of patch radiators.