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WHAT IS TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY?

HISTORY
As early as 1939, geologists and others recognized a relationship between the dielectric properties of soil, rock and other materials, and their moisture content. However, they lacked the instrumentation necessary to make full use of it. Time Domain Reflectometry, commonly known as TDR, largely developed as the result of World War II radar research, offered a method to define these dielectric relationships. With the advent of commercial TDR research oscilloscopes in the early 1960's, it became feasable to test this new technology. Today, TDR technology is the "cutting edge" methodology for many diverse applications including the determination of basic soil water, material/water relationships. Soilmoisture Equipment Corp. began work on this new technology, and developed the world's most complete and advanced system . . . Trase.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Trase utilizes the principle of TDR in order to convert the travel time of a high frequency, electromagnetic pulse into volumetric water content. In practice Trase generates a fast-rise pulse and sends it at the speed of light down a transmission line consisting of two parallel Waveguides that are inserted or buried in the soil. The velocity of propagation of the high frequency, broad band 3GHz wave in soil is determined primarily by the water content. The wave is reflected from the open ends of the Waveguides and returns along the original path. By microprocessor, the travel time of the wave is used to directly calculate the dielectric constant of the soil. The actual TDR wave form is displayed on the high resolution graphic LCD display for storage and interpretation. The actual time delay and correlated volumetric water content are also digitally displayed on screen.

Trase uses the latest technology of instrumentation specifically designed to give research scientists, commercial growers, and consultants the power and flexibility to measure and log water relationships of soils and other materials by fast, accurate, easy to use TDR methods. The convenient full featured push button ease of use, and the large graphic display of the TDR waveform, is made possible by a new, very sophisticated and powerful SMT hybrid step pulser and new modular software programs. Trase has been engineered to meet your current and future needs, and has the capability to accept new software and hardware offered by Soilmoisture.

Trase eliminates the need for using nuclear based instrumentation and the associated radiation, health and safety hazards. Trase eliminates site specific calibration and the requirement for costly, specialized licensed personnel associated with neutron probes. Trase also provides autologging capabilities not practical with nuclear techniques.

Trase combines the best features of cable testers, digitizing TDR oscilloscope, and data loggers. Trase provides a unique and flexible system for moisture measurement. Click here to obtain a copy of the ASTM Standard D6565-00 "Standard Test Method for Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil the the Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Method.

THE WORLD'S MOST VERSATILE TDR INSTRUMENT
Trase is the only self-contained TDR instrument capable of investigating and monitoring not only soils, but a wide variety of other materials as well. It is fully field portable, and when you need to leave it at a remote site for several days or weeks, it can be accessed from home or office. On site, Trase quickly measures the dielectric and subsequent moisture properties of soil, seeds, or other materials at a specific location, or, with the optional Trase Multiplexer, at up to 256 locations. Trase automatically logs your sensors at intervals ranging from once a minute to once a day. Using diverse waveguide configurations and associated conversion tables, Trase rapidly measures new or unusual materials. (Soilmoisture can supply these nonstandard TDR tools or you can develop your own). Your ability to make a measurement using Trase is limited only by your imagination and creativity.

DESIGNED AND BUILT TO MEET TOMORROW'S NEEDS
Trase is future-proof. It's the only TDR instrument constructed with an open system architecture. There are five (5) STD bus expansion slots and you can choose from plug-in options like the 4 Mbyte add-on Memory Board, the Multiplexer Control Board, or any of the other boards and equipment listed in the Trase Accessories Brochure. And because we're serious about meeting your future needs, we're continuously developing new options and capabilities for Trase hardware, firmware, and software.

ABLE TO ACCESS EXTENSIVE DETAILS -FAST!
Trase gives you the most complete, detailed information possible about your TDR measurement. More than just a number on a screen, it provides a complete measurement log conformable to "formality of operation" practices. Three primary screen functions (Measure, Data, and Graph) provide immediate ease of operation. The Data Screen function for instance (see illustration), provides access to over 4,000 graphs or waveforms or 120,000 readings in a typical system configured with the optional 4 Mb Memory Board. All memory allocations are user configurable into four dynamic storage areas. Help for all functions is as close as the on-line help button. You can work quickly and with confidence, knowing the detailed information you require is there and available when you need it.

THE PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION THAT SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY
A Trase system provides a cost-effective, timely, and complete solution to your most pressing moisture or dielectric measurement requirements. Partial, "homemade" TDR measurement solutions, fabricated from cable testers, computers, and independent software simply cannot match Trase's robustness, user-friendly features, or potential for enhancement. Other TDR systems may appear less expensive, but beware of false economies. Limited capabilities and higher hidden costs in sensors, waveguides, or multiplexing can turn a bargain into a burden. "Do-it-yourself" or "limited" TDR systems are rarely economical alternatives; both have long term additional costs. You either end up paying for continuing incompatibility between subsystems or you incur large improvement and/or repurchase expenses. Only Trase is designed to provide a wealth of "off the shelf", cost-effective solutions, year after year, in one professionally integrated package. When it comes to making a TDR purchasing decision, give your agency, institution, or company the best long-term return on investment and insist on a Trase system.

For more information on Trase or other Soilmoisture products please contact Alle van Calker.