CPC G01N 23/204 (2013.01) [G01N 23/20008 (2013.01); G01N 33/246 (2013.01); G01V 5/0075 (2013.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.12); G01N 2033/245 (2013.01); G01N 2223/05 (2013.01); G01N 2223/053 (2013.01); G01N 2223/063 (2013.01); G01N 2223/1063 (2013.01); G01N 2223/1066 (2013.01); G01N 2223/205 (2013.01); G01N 2223/301 (2013.01); G01N 2223/613 (2013.01); H01Q 1/24 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
10. A system for cosmogenic neutron sensing to detect a moisture in an agricultural location, the system comprising:
a non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor for measuring a soil moisture in a measurement surface, the non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor having:
a thermal neutron proportional counter,
a housing comprising at least partially a moderating material, wherein the housing is positioned around the thermal neutron proportional counter;
a proportional counter electronics unit within the housing and having a preamplifier and a shaping amplifier, wherein the preamplifier and the shaping amplifier are directly connected to the thermal neutron proportional counter;
at least one power source providing an electrical power to the thermal neutron proportional counter; and
a data logger positioned vertically above the thermal neutron proportional counter and the proportional counter electronics unit, wherein a signal emitted by the thermal neutron proportional counter through the proportional counter electronics unit is received by the data logger, and wherein the signal indicates a moisture content within a measurement surface of the thermal neutron proportional counter; and
an agricultural irrigation device having at least one frame member, wherein the non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor is mounted to the at least one frame member, and wherein the non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor is positioned a spaced distance above a ground surface.
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