Exploring the impact of varied background on quantification of soil carbon content using microwave and millimeter wave signal reflectance

The quantification of soil carbon content is paramount to the advancement
of soil carbon management practices, serving as the bedrock for the
development and implementation of various carbon-negative and
carbon-neutral technologies. These technologies are crucial in the battle
against climate change and in enhancing soil health to boost agricultural
productivity.  Therefore, we employ an innovative sensor
technology comprised of a compact array, including 18 pairs of radar
transmitters (TX) and receivers (RX) within a microwave radar array
sensor, alongside a configuration of 20 TX and 20 RX pairs in a millimeter
wave radar array sensor. For this kind of setup to work, the sensors need
to be carefully tested to make sure they can capture changes in the
soil's carbon content over time and space. This dataset presents an
exhaustive series of raw data aimed at evaluating the efficacy of these
two sensor technologies in detecting soil carbon content. A distinctive
aspect of this study is the examination of sensor performance across four
divergent backgrounds—glass, metal, sponge, and wood surfaces—to ascertain
the influence of background material on radar wave reflectance and,
consequently, measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the investigation extends
to the analysis of sensing distance as a critical parameter for
classification accuracy, with the microwave radar array sensor tested
across distances ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches and the millimeter wave
radar sensor evaluated at intervals of 2.5 inches, 5 inches, 7.5 inches,
and 10 inches. By providing a comprehensive dataset on the performance
evaluation of cutting-edge sensor technologies, this study aims to
facilitate further advancements in the field of soil carbon management,
ultimately supporting the global effort to combat climate change through
innovative and sustainable agricultural practices.