Analysis of the complex permittivity and permeability of a Martian soil simulant from 10 MHz to 1 GHz

Presents the results from an analysis of a Martian soil simulant over the frequency range of 10 MHz to 1 GHz. The motivation is to provide an estimate of the electrical properties, complex permittivity and permeability, of a soil that can be expected on the surface of Mars. The test procedure involves measuring the reflection and transmission properties of the soil using a slotted section of coaxial transmission line. With the soil acting as the dielectric of the coaxial transmission line, four sets of measurements were collected using a network analyzer. These measurements include transmission through the soil and three sets of reflection measurements with the attached loads: short, open, and 50 Ω. Next, these measurements are compared to analytic values; these are calculated by representing the coaxial transmission line by a signal flow graph and assuming initial values of the permittivity and permeability. An iterative approach is then used to minimize the root-mean-square error and determine approximate values of the permittivity and permeability. Finally, the results are presented over the frequency range of interest