{"product_id":"kit-microwave-backscatter-soil-moisture-sensor","title":"Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor","description":"\u003ch1\u003eNon-Contact Soil Moisture Sensing with 10GHz Microwave Radar \u0026amp; Arduino Mega — Precision Agriculture Kit\u003c\/h1\u003e\n \n\u003cp class=\"value-summary\"\u003eEvery part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003cdiv class=\"specs-strip\"\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Advanced\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuild Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–20 hours\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25+\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Microwave sensor calibration and data logging\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Build\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Learn\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePrinciples of microwave backscatter for dielectric sensing and its correlation to volumetric water content\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCalibrating the RCWL-0516 Doppler radar output using reference soil samples and regression analysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIntegrating a DS3231 RTC and microSD module for reliable time-series environmental data logging\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDesigning a solar-powered embedded system with battery charging and efficient power management\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eKit Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComponent\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eQuantity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArduino Mega 2560\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRCWL-0516 Microwave Sensor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDS18B20 Waterproof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDS3231 RTC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicroSD Module\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLM2596 Buck Converter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.96in OLED\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100nF Caps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10kΩ Resistors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCB Prototype Board\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWaterproof Enclosure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolar Panel 6V 2W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTP4056 Module\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18650 Cell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoldering Iron\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolder Wire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFactor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSourcing Separately\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCompoden Kit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility checks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou verify every part\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePre-tested as a system\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBuild support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForums and scattered tutorials\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAI companion trained on this exact project\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTime to first working build\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDays of debugging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHours, with step-by-step guidance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShipping coordination\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMultiple sellers, multiple delays\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eWho This Kit Is For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt and Backed by Compoden\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat if I get stuck during the build?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eScan 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow do I calibrate the microwave sensor to show volumetric water content?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan this sensor differentiate between sand, clay, and loam soils?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs the solar panel sufficient for continuous 24x7 operation?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"kit-description\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e10GHz Doppler module measures soil dielectric constant change correlated to volumetric water content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch4\u003eWhat's in this kit\u003c\/h4\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mega-2560-r3-development-board-arduino-compatible-54-io-256kb\"\u003eArduino Mega 2560\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/rcwl-0516-microwave-radar-sensor-motion-detection-module\"\u003eRCWL-0516 Microwave Sensor\u003c\/a\u003e x2\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ds18b20-waterproof-temperature-sensor-probe-55c-to-125c\"\u003eDS18B20 Waterproof\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ds3231-real-time-clock-module-i2c-rtc-with-battery-backup\"\u003eDS3231 RTC\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsd-card-reader-spi-module-for-arduino\"\u003eMicroSD Module\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/lm2596-buck-converter-step-down-voltage-regulator-module\"\u003eLM2596 Buck Converter\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/096in-oled-display-128x64-i2cspi-for-arduino-raspberry-pi\"\u003e0.96in OLED\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/capacitor-variety-pack-6-values-100nf-to-470uf-30-pieces\"\u003e100nF Caps\u003c\/a\u003e x10\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/resistor-variety-pack-100-pcs-10-values-14w-carbon-film\"\u003e10kΩ Resistors\u003c\/a\u003e x5\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/esp-wroom-32-breakout-board-pcb-55x52mm\"\u003ePCB Prototype Board\u003c\/a\u003e x2\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/waterproof-enclosure-ip65-abs-plastic-100x68x50mm-for-electronics\"\u003eWaterproof Enclosure\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/6v-2w-solar-panel-for-diy-electronics-iot-projects\"\u003eSolar Panel 6V 2W\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/tp4056-1a-li-ion-charger-module-with-protection-micro-usb\"\u003eTP4056 Module\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/18650-cell-37v-2600mah-li-ion-battery\"\u003e18650 Cell\u003c\/a\u003e x2\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/soldering-kit-25w-with-solder-wire-flux-paste-compoden\"\u003eSoldering Iron\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/soldering-kit-25w-with-solder-wire-flux-paste-compoden\"\u003eSolder Wire\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is included in the Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor includes all components needed: Arduino Mega 2560, RCWL-0516 Microwave Sensor, DS18B20 Waterproof, DS3231 RTC, MicroSD Module and more. Everything is pre-tested for compatibility and shipped from Bengaluru, India.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What skill level is required for the Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"This kit is designed for Expert level makers, suitable for ages 25+. 10GHz Doppler module measures soil dielectric constant change correlated to volumetric water content. Estimated build time is 15-20 hrs.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Can I buy the Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor online in India?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes, the Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor is available online at Compoden (compoden.in), India's AI-powered electronics and robotics store. Ships from Bengaluru in 1-5 business days across India.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Product\",\n  \"name\": \"Microwave Backscatter Soil Moisture Sensor\",\n  \"description\": \"10GHz Doppler module measures soil dielectric constant change correlated to volumetric water content.\",\n  \"sku\": \"CDN-KIT-0184\",\n  \"brand\": {\"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"Compoden\"},\n  \"offers\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/compoden.in\/products\/kit-microwave-backscatter-soil-moisture-sensor\",\n    \"priceCurrency\": \"INR\",\n    \"price\": \"6555\",\n    \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n    \"seller\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Compoden\"}\n  },\n  \"category\": \"Weather \u0026 Environment\"\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your assembly option:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoldering Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e — 25W soldering iron, 60\/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreadboard Combo\u003c\/strong\u003e — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Compoden","offers":[{"title":"Soldering Kit","offer_id":53459772539245,"sku":"CDN-KIT-0184-SLD","price":6170.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Breadboard Combo","offer_id":53459772572013,"sku":"CDN-KIT-0184-BB","price":5570.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0999\/3997\/5533\/files\/kit-microwave-backscatter-soil-moisture-sensor.png?v=1781944287","url":"https:\/\/compoden.com\/products\/kit-microwave-backscatter-soil-moisture-sensor","provider":"Compoden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}