Complex permittivity measurements of planar building materials using a UWB free-field antenna measurement system

Published

January 1, 2007

Author(s)

Ben N. Davis, Chriss A. Grosvenor, Robert T. Johnk, David R. Novotny, James R. Baker-Jarvis, Michael D. Janezic

Abstract

Building materials are often incorporated into complex, multi-layer macrostructures that are simply not amenable to measurements using coax or waveguide sample holders. In response to this, an ultra-wideband free-field measurement system has been developed. This measurement system uses a ground-plane based system and two TEM half-horn antennas to transmit and receive the RF signal. The material samples are placed between the antennas and reflection and transmission measurements are made. Digital signal processing techniques are then applied to minimize environmental and systematic effects. The processed data are compared to a plane-wave model to extract the material properties using optimization software based on genetic algorithms.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

112

Issue

1

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

digital signal processing, free-field measurement system, genetic algorithm, ground-plane, material properties, optimization, plane-wave model, reflection, TEM half-horn antennas, transmission, ultra-wideband

Citation

Davis, B. , Grosvenor, C. , Johnk, R. , Novotny, D. , Baker-Jarvis, J. and Janezic, M. (2007), Complex permittivity measurements of planar building materials using a UWB free-field antenna measurement system, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 17, 2025)