Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor
Non-Contact Soil Moisture Sensing with 10GHz Microwave Radar & Arduino Mega — Precision Agriculture Kit
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
This kit lets you build a non-contact soil moisture sensor that measures the dielectric constant of soil using a 10GHz Doppler radar backscatter technique. Unlike resistive probes, the microwave sensor never corrodes, making it ideal for long-term field deployment in precision agriculture, environmental research, and smart irrigation systems. You’ll learn to correlate phase shift changes to volumetric water content, log data with an RTC and microSD, and power the system with solar energy.
What You'll Build
A weatherproof, solar-powered soil moisture station that transmits microwave signals into the soil and derives water content from the backscatter signature. The OLED displays real-time moisture percentage, temperature, and timestamp; all readings are logged to a microSD card for later analysis. The entire system lives inside a rugged IP65 enclosure, ready for farm or field deployment.
What You'll Learn
- Principles of microwave backscatter for dielectric sensing and its correlation to volumetric water content
- Calibrating the RCWL-0516 Doppler radar output using reference soil samples and regression analysis
- Integrating a DS3231 RTC and microSD module for reliable time-series environmental data logging
- Designing a solar-powered embedded system with battery charging and efficient power management
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arduino Mega 2560 | x1 |
| RCWL-0516 Microwave Sensor | x2 |
| DS18B20 Waterproof | x1 |
| DS3231 RTC | x1 |
| MicroSD Module | x1 |
| LM2596 Buck Converter | x1 |
| 0.96in OLED | x1 |
| 100nF Caps | x10 |
| 10kΩ Resistors | x5 |
| PCB Prototype Board | x2 |
| Waterproof Enclosure | x1 |
| Solar Panel 6V 2W | x1 |
| TP4056 Module | x1 |
| 18650 Cell | x2 |
| Soldering Iron | x1 |
| Solder Wire | x1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
Designed for advanced makers, agricultural researchers, and engineering students. Ideal for B.Tech ECE/EEE capstone projects focusing on IoT and sensor fusion, as well as PhD candidates building non-destructive soil analysis tools. Used in Smart India Hackathon challenges on agri-tech, and by IIT/NIT/VIT/BITS research labs exploring microwave remote sensing. Also suited for professionals developing smart irrigation controllers for Indian farm conditions.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Scan the QR code to launch the AI companion, which walks you through each wiring and calibration step. If you need human help, our WhatsApp support line is backed by engineers familiar with this exact project.
How do I calibrate the microwave sensor to show volumetric water content?
You’ll record the sensor’s output voltage for oven-dried and saturated soil samples, then fit a calibration curve. The AI companion guides you through generating this polynomial and embedding it in the Arduino code.
Can this sensor differentiate between sand, clay, and loam soils?
The backscatter signature varies with soil texture due to different dielectric relaxation. The companion explains how to build texture-specific calibration profiles and switch between them in software.
Is the solar panel sufficient for continuous 24x7 operation?
Yes, the 6V 2W panel, TP4056 charger, and dual 18650 cells are sized to run the Mega, sensors, and OLED indefinitely under typical Indian sunlight, with two days of autonomy on battery.
10GHz Doppler module measures soil dielectric constant change correlated to volumetric water content.
What's in this kit
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit — 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items