Development of microcontroller-based microwave system to measure solid content of hevea rubber latex

This paper describes the development of digital, portable, simple to operator, cheap and accurate microwave instrument to determine the total solid content (TSC) or moisture content (MC) of hevea rubber latex by using microcontroller, dual directional coupler, and open-ended coaxial probe. A low-cost stripline dual directional coupler and open-ended coaxial probe are simulated, designed and connected to microwave source and detectors. TSC parameter is obtained from the relationship between moisture content in the sample and the value of reflection coefficient from coaxial probe. Experimental results are presented and the empirical equation was implemented by the microcontroller for the calibration and followed the calculation setup. The whole system was tested by using diluted rubber latex with different TSCs at room temperature (25 °C) and the results of standard oven drying method and this study were found with the accuracy and reproducibility at the level of less than 1%.

► Simulation and fabrication of low-cost dual directional coupler and coaxial probe. ► Coaxial probe is suitable to be immersed in hevea rubber latex. ► Development of low cost and portable digital moisture meter for hevea rubber latex. ► Accuracy less than 1% compare to standard method.