Characterization of dielectric resonator as a passive mechanical sensing element

In this work a dielectric resonator with resonating frequency of 1740 MHz and Q-factor of more than 2500 is characterized as mechanical sensing element with the help of parallel-plate dielectric resonator configuration for applications in drive engineering. The sensing operation is based on the theory of resonant-perturbation at microwave frequencies. By mechanical tuning, air gap is changed inside the electromagnetic cavity formed by the parallel-plate dielectric resonator. The observed change of resonant frequency with the change of air gap from zero to about 13 mm, is in the range of 10-20 %. This sensing element can be used to passively measure force, torque, stress and pressure.