Microwave Sensor for

Non-destructive Dielectric Characterization of

Biological Systems
Muhammad Taha Jilania, Wong Peng Wenb, Muhammad Zaka Ur Rehman, Abid Muhammad Khan
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering,
University Technology PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
a
mtaha.jilani@gmail.com, bwong_pengwen@petronas.com.my
Lee Yen Cheong
Department of Fundamental Applied Sciences,
University Technology PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a microwave sensor for the non-destructive dielectric characterization of

biological tissues. The proposed sensor is based on microstrip ring-resonator, which is utilized for

quality evaluation of meat at 1 GHz frequency. The obtained results from measurement and

simulation are in good agreement for the studied meat samples. Using numerical formulations,

dielectric constant of meat samples is extracted and then compared with those acquired by well-

established and commercially available coaxial-probe method. Negligible difference is observed in

obtained data, the maximum discrepancy is about 6% only. Findings of this study provide new

possibilities to employed microwave circuits for non-destructive evaluation of dielectric materials.

KEYWORDS

Dielectric constant, dielectric properties, effective permittivity, microstrip ring resonator, meat

quality, dielectric spectroscopy

1
I. INTRODUCTION

During the past few years, demand for meat products has been increased enormously. It is estimated

that, by the end of year 2014 the worldwide meat production will reach up to 311.8 million tonne

which is more than 18% increase in preceding years [1]. Consequently it emphasizes the industry not

only for massive production but to meet consumer’s quality requirement and health safety standards.

For that, industry needs reliable meat quality information throughout the production process to bring

about high quality products [2]. Various studies have recently been carried out to analyze and

characterize the products using physical methods that are often based on electromagnetic waves. The

interaction of these electromagnetic (EM) waves with the material generally quantify by their

dielectric properties, which describes the material behavior when subjected to the EM-field [3]. The

most important parameter of any dielectric material is the complex permittivity (ε*) which describes

the behavior of material when an electromagnetic field is applied on it [4]

ε* = ε’ − j ε″ (1)

where, j = √−1, ε′ is the real part called dielectric constant or dielectric permittivity (ε′) and

imaginary part is a loss factor (ε″). When an electric field is applied to a material, a dielectric constant

defines its ability to store energy and loss-factor defines energy dissipation of a material (lossy

behavior) [5]. The losses of the lossy materials, can change the way the EM wave interacts with the

material and its propagation behavior [6]. Thus to cater this, another parameter, loss tangent (tanδ) or

dissipation factor, is usually used which is the ratio between dielectric constant and loss factor

tan δ = ε” / ε’ (2)

Most of the food materials including meat interacts only with electric part of the electromagnetic-

field, whereas the response of a material to an applied electric field, in terms of energy reflection,

transmission and absorption, can be determined by their dielectric properties [4]. Study of these

properties offers the possibility to objectively quantify meat quality, since their behavior has strong

relationship to the materials’ physical properties [2]. Dielectric properties are most preferable for

2
quality assessment of meat, due to its ability to explore the material, even without requiring any

physical contact, and its practicality for industrial usage.

At higher-frequencies such as, at microwaves, the quality of meat is closely related to the moisture

content. Muscle contains approximately 75% of water of its total mass, whereas, protein is second

higher constituent comprises 20% approximately, fat or lipids are about 5%, carbohydrates around 1%

and the vitamins & minerals are approximately 1% [7]. It is due to fact that, in microwave region

dipolar-relaxation of muscle water is a dominant mechanism, which is often regarded as γ-dispersion.

Thus, the total moisture held within tissues can be evaluated through dielectric properties at

microwave frequencies. Similarly from meat quality aspect, the most influential parameter is water

holding capacity (WHC), which describes the moisture retention ability of meat. A good quality meat

has higher WHC than a poor quality one, the meat with lower moisture is usually graded as pale soft

exudative (PSE) meat [8]. This low quality meat is produced during the postmortem time when lower

pH level with high muscle temperature causes protein denaturation, which subsequently lowers the

WHC of meat [3]. Consequently, with low water holding capacity, meat loses its water-soluble

proteins, flavor and appearance; which make it unsuitable for both processors and consumers. Other

than moisture content some factors, such as composition of meat, electrical charges of proteins, pH

variations and presence of amino acids might affect the dielectric properties at microwaves [2].

To evaluate the dielectric properties several techniques have been reported but among them, open

ended coaxial-probe has been the most widely used method for broadband material characterization,

particularly for biological systems [8]. The most prominent feature of this technique is the support for

wide frequency-range measurements (500 MHz to – 110 GHz). In this method, properties of a

material determined by a touching the probe to flat-surface of solid or by immersing probe into liquid

material. When EM fields at probe are in contact with or immersed into MUT they change, due to

which the wave is reflected [9]. This method is best suited for isotropic and homogeneous semi-solids

and liquids. Typical experimental setup for an open-ended coaxial-probe is depicted in Fig.1, a

network analyzer connected to PC is just for illustration purpose, nowadays modern analyzers are

3
equipped with built-in PC and software capability.

Fig. 1. Open-ended coaxial-probe method (probe immersed in liquid)

Although, this method has higher accuracy but still it is prone to errors. The main source of error;

for solid material is the air-gap between the sample and probe. Whereas, it is reported that for liquids

the air bubbles produced on a probe tip can introduce errors up to 20% [10]. Moreover, thickness of

material under test should be smooth & large enough (at least semi-infinite for probe) and cable

stability during testing, to avoid measurement errors [5]. Since, irregularities on the sample surface

reduce the accuracy, sample preparation remains a challenging task for this method. In some cases the

radiative loss, that is associated to the coaxial-probe, can cause large measurement errors [11]. To

minimize these errors, repetitive calibration of a measurement system is required. Also it has limited

accuracy for low dielectric constant and loss values [12].

Among characterization techniques, the most accurate is the resonant cavity method [13]; the shift

in the resonance frequency and changes in the quality factor are utilized to determine sample

dielectric properties. On the contrary to conventional cavity resonator, a partially filled resonator;

such as microstrip resonator can be used for material characterization [14]. Though, cavity

perturbation is supposed to be the most precise method, but requirement of precise sample preparation

can be time consuming. However, planar circuits are most ideal for permittivity measurements, since

precise sample preparation is not required, even the loading and unloading of sample is easier than

cavity method [15]. Unlike cavity resonator, which is well suited to only low-loss materials [4], planar

sensors can also be used for the lossy dielectrics, such as biological materials. Moreover, planar

structure has the advantage of easy integration in microwave circuits [16]. Thus, its integration with

signal processing circuit will not only eliminate the expensive and bulky network analyzer

requirement, but can lead to design a compact hand-held device.

4
 In planar structures the most common is the microstrip line, whereas, microstrip based ring

resonator is considered as resonance method. Thus, it offers higher accuracy than simple planar

structures. Additionally, it is simple, cost-effective, fast (measurements in few seconds) and provides

higher Q-factor (~250) than conventional microstrip line [14].

Ring-resonator for characterizing the bio-materials have also been reported [17], however, a limited

literature is found for food materials [18]. Whereas still at this stage, applicability of planar sensors to

food and agricultural materials would be an anticipatory issue [4]. The main objective of this paper is

to analyze the applicability of microstrip ring-resonator as a relatively newer tool for the evaluation of

meat quality. Furthermore, the obtained results are then compared with those acquired from well-

established and commercially available coaxial-probe method.

Fig. 2. Two port microstrip-ring resonator with partially overlaid sample

II. ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF PLANAR RESONATOR

It is known that the effective permittivity of a planar resonator is strongly dependent on the

permittivity of the region or overlay above the ring surface [4]. Thus, any change in permittivity

causes significant change in the resonant frequency of a ring. For ring resonator, resonance is

produced when a mean circumference of the ring is equal to an integral of the guided wavelength [19]

2 π rm = n λg for n = 1,2,3 … (3)

where rm is mean-radius of the annular ring, n is mode number and λg is the guided wavelength. In

microstrip line the in-homogeneity of medium causes dispersion due to which transmission mode is

not pure but its quasi-TEM [20]. Consequently, it gives effective permittivity rather than permittivity.

This effective permittivity in the presence of overlay dielectric material can be described as the ratio

of resonant frequencies with and without material [14]. From equation (3) we can calculate the

5
 v π
1 h1 − vε weff cos ( 2ε ) vε π
h1
q 2 = 1 − q1 − . ln [π + cos ( )]
2 weff h1 π (h2 − 1) + vε π 2 h1 (10)
h1 2 2 h1

whereas, the quantity factor (vε) is given as

h1 π h1
vε = 2 arctan [π w ( − 1)]
π eff
− 2 h2
2 h1 (11)

where, h1 and h2 are the thicknesses of substrate and superstrate respectively, w is a physical width of

metallic strip. To calculate the loaded effective permittivity (εeff1 ), we can use

(1 − q1 )2
εeff1 = εr1 q1 + εr2 (12)
(1 − q1 − q2 ) + q2

Once the loaded effective permittivity is obtained, the relative permittivity of the overlay material

can be found by [21]

q2
εr2 =
(1 − q1 )2 (13)
q1 + q 2 − 1 + ε
eff1 − q1 εr1

Fig. 3. Experimental setup of coaxial-probe method for measuring meat sample

(a)

(b)

Fig. 4. Microstrip-ring resonator (a) prototype (b) measuring meat sample

6
III. MATERIAL & METHODS

A. Sample preparation

Breast-fillets of broiler chickens are obtained by a local retailer at 6h postmortem time. Total 12

chickens of similar age and weight from same species are taken to reduce heterogeneity. After the

chickens are slaughtered in an Islamic way, the carcasses are frozen at -4oC for 12h, however before

measurements they are equilibrated at room temperature for 5h. Afterwards, lean meat samples are

taken from breast-fillet (pectoralis major & minor), while, a sharp-cutter is used to trim the visible fat

and connective tissues. A total 28 number of samples with approximate size of 35 x 30 x 15 mm are

obtained. This sample size is kept large enough to avoid any size dependent permittivity

measurements [22]. Since meat is a soft and malleable material, thus it is very hard to cut smooth

slices in exact dimensions. However, special care has been taken during sample preparation to

minimize the variations within an acceptable limit. Due to unsuitability for measurements 5 samples

are discarded and remaining 23 samples have been considered for measurement.

B. Dielectric Measurement

Two different methods are used to determine dielectric properties. Initially, dielectric measurements

are carried out using Agilent 85070E dielectric open-ended coaxial probe attached to Agilent E8363C

vector network analyzer (VNA). Prior to sample measurements, VNA has been calibrated with open,

short and standard liquid (de-ionized water) measurements at 25oC, as reported elsewhere [8].

Measurements were taken at 501 data points over the range of 200 MHz to 20 GHz. All samples are

placed in a manner that the electric-field is in the direction of fiber (parallel-to-fiber), since it is more

sensitive than perpendicular orientation [23]. Experimental setup is shown in Fig.3.

Additionally, a proposed ring resonator method has been utilized to determine the properties of

meat samples. Samples from same batch that were used in coaxial-probe method are used with ring-

resonator to reduce any discrepancy in results. Cubic samples are partially-overlaid on coupling

region, i.e covering the ring and feed partially with one coupling-gap (as shown in Fig.4). For

7
measurement, both ports of microstrip ring resonator are connected to Agilent E8363C vector network

analyzer. Prior to measurement, VNA is calibrated with open-circuit, short-circuit and load-circuit

using Agilent standard calibration-kit. The VNA is configured to provide S12 parameter for a range of

0-4 GHz with 501 data points. Initially, measurements are taken with unloaded resonator, afterwards

the S12 parameter is obtained for sample-loaded resonator at 25±2oC.

(a)

(b)

Fig. 5. Measured results from coaxial-probe method for the dielectric properties of chicken breast

fillets over the frequency range of 200 MHz to 20 GHz. Mean values for: (a) dielectric constant (b)

dielectric loss factor

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Dielectric properties of the chicken breast fillets over the frequency range of 200 MHz to 20 GHz

are measured using commercially available coaxial-probe. Results of both, dielectric constant and

dielectric loss factor as a function of frequency are presented in Fig.5 (a) and (b), respectively. It can

be observed that the dielectric constant shows continuous decline as the frequency increases.

However, the rapid fall can be observed near the dipolar relaxation of free water molecules. Similar

behavior can be observed also for the dielectric loss factor, which also decreases with frequency,

however, there is increase in loss factor values near the relaxation frequency of free-water molecules.

It is due to the presence of ions, which causes ionic conductivity [3]. In microwave region, the

produced γ-dispersion is mainly attributed by the orientation of water molecules, their spin rotation

and transport of charges, which leads to rapid increase in conductivity of material (known as ionic-

conductivity). Thus, this increase of conductivity affects the loss-factor significantly. The measured

8
results are in this study have similar trend as those available in literature [8, 24]. Thus, values of

dielectric constant and loss-factor at 1 GHz frequency are acquired for further usage.

Fig. 6. Comparison of insertion loss observed from simulation and measurement of unloaded

microstrip ring-resonator over the frequency range of 0-4 GHz

Comparison of simulation and measurement results of two port microstrip ring-resonator without an

overlay material is presented in Fig.6. Simulation results obtained from HFSS software are in

excellent agreement with the measured data. To optimize the results, large coupling gap is used to

minimize the effect of gap-capacitance. Since it is reported that the increase in gap-capacitance results

in the deviation of a resonator’s inherent frequency to lower frequency, which is known as its

“pushing effect” [25]. Further, the radius of the ring is also tuned by keeping the outer dimension to

34.8 mm, instead using this dimension for center of the radial width. As expected, now in unloaded

condition, resonator shows periodic resonances at one GHz intervals over the considered range. In

both simulation and measured results, first resonance produced at 1.02 GHz while second at 2.05 GHz

and the last resonance occurred at 3.07 GHz. Furthermore, the corresponding insertion loss at each

resonance is marginally higher; this is due to the loose coupling between the feed and ring. Limited

accuracy in the fabrication process and in measurement system causes some additional errors.

Once the unloaded resonance frequency is determined, the sample has been overlaid on ring-

resonator. It is reported that the maximum electric field point is the coupling region between the ring

and feed, due to which it will be more sensitive to overlay sample permittivity variations [15]. Thus,

the samples are placed over the coupling to get maximum perturbation. For simulation, meat samples

are modeled in HFSS software with the same dielectric data (values of ε’ and ε” corresponding to 1

GHz frequency) that acquired from coaxial probe method. This will help to analyze the measured

results with higher accuracy, since, for the both simulation and measurements same meat samples are

utilized.

9
 Fig. 7. Comparison of insertion loss observed from simulation (sim) and measurement (exp) of meat

sample loaded microstrip ring-resonator over the frequency range of 0-4 GHz

Results from simulation and measurements are presented in Fig.7 for the sample loaded ring-

resonator. Over the observed frequency range both results shows significant change in resonance

frequency with the overlaid meat sample. From simulation results, in the presence of overlay sample

the first resonance is shifted to 760 MHz which is around 24% shift from the resonators unloaded

frequency. Similarly, in measured results the first resonance produced at 782 MHz which is more than

21% shift from the designed resonance frequency. Whereas, the difference between the simulated and

measured result with loaded sample is about 2.8% only. Although, both simulated and measured

results are in good agreement, however, some discrepancy is observed for loss magnitude (around

15%). This difference could be due to changes in physical properties of same samples during both

measurements. Additionally, since the nature of meat is malleable; cutting of samples with exact

dimensions is quite difficult, as those used in simulation. This can also introduce some errors due

density-dependent permittivity. Other possible reasons of this discrepancy are the higher humidity

level in surrounding, which can affect the results significantly [26], and contribution of moisture

deposited on sample and ring interface.

Table 2. Mean values for the dielectric constant of meat obtained by coaxial probe and ring-

resonator methods

Ultimately, dielectric constant of overlaid meat sample can be extracted by (13), however it is

applicable to complete-overlay arrangement. Whereas, in this study the sample is used in partially-

10
overlay arrangement and using (13) yields significant errors. Therefore, a correction factor has been

introduced into existing formulation. For this purpose, simulation is performed for the partially

overlay samples having thickness in 1-15 mm range, since the effect of thickness is more pronounced

in this range [22]. Obtained results are curve-fitted to described the correction factor as

CFεr = 11.4102 − 0.190667 ∗ (h2) (14)

where, h2 is the height of overlay sample. Therefore, the expression for the dielectric constant for a

partial overlay arrangement is given by

εr2_partial = εr2 ∗ CFεr (15)

The above expression is valid for the fresh meat samples within the given thickness and width

range. The mean values of dielectric constant acquired from coaxial probe and the ring-resonator (of

both; simulation and measurements) are tabulated in Table.2. Although, the difference between

measured and simulated values is minimal (1.90%) but comparing to coaxial-probe the maximum

discrepancy is around 6%. The overestimation of dielectric constant could be the result of change in

physical properties.

V. CONCLUSION

In this paper, a microwave sensor based on microstrip ring-resonator has been presented for

dielectric characterization of biological tissues. Initially, dielectric properties of meat samples are

obtained using well-established and commercially available coaxial-probe method. Acquired values of

dielectric constant (ε’) and the loss-factor (ε”) at 1 GHz are then used with proposed ring-resonator

for simulation. Meanwhile, same batch of meat samples are measured with fabricated sensor. The

microstrip ring resonator which is designed for 1 GHz frequency shows significant changes in its

resonance frequency while loaded with meat sample, in both simulation and experiment. Simulated

and measured results are in very good agreement with a maximum discrepancy is about 2.8% only.

Using numerical formulations and the effective permittivity obtained from simulation and

11
measurements, the dielectric constant of meat sample is calculated. Obtained values are then

compared with those extracted from coaxial probe method. Results are in good agreement and the

maximum difference is about 6% only.

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Tables

Table.1. Microstrip ring resonator design parameters

Parameter Design Value

Dielectric constant of substrate (εr) 2.2

Substrate height (h1) 787 μm

Dissipation factor (tan δ) 9.00*10-4

Copper thickness (t) 17.5 μm

Designed Frequency (f) 1 GHz

Line Width (w) 2.4 mm

Feed line length (l) 35 mm

Coupling gap (g) 650 μm

Characteristic Impedance (Zo) 50 Ω

13
Table 2. Mean values for the dielectric constant of meat obtained by coaxial probe and
ring-resonator methods

Parameter Coaxial Probe Simulationa Measured

Extracted dielectric constant (ε’) 57.11 59.28 60.41

a
Simulation results are based on Coaxial-probe data

14
Figures

Fig. 1. Open-ended coaxial-probe method (probe immersed in liquid)

15
Fig. 6. Comparison of insertion loss observed from simulation and measurement of unloaded

microstrip ring-resonator over the frequency range of 0-4 GHz

16