GPS signal scattering from land for moisture content determination

Abstract

Stemming from research using GPS bistatically scattered signals to remotely sense ocean surface wind speeds, the authors provide proof-of-concept results for determining soil moisture from GPS reflected signatures. They present land-reflected power measurements from an aircraft-mounted, modified GPS receiver and recorded in different moisture environments. The estimated peak signal power is shown to correlate with land features. As a first attempt to correlate reflected power to soil moisture, the mean reflected power is compared to in situ soil moisture. Recommendations for further analysis to retrieve soil moisture and linking to a GIS database are proposed.