Characterising a PCB electrical conductivity sensor using electromagnetic simulation and a genetic algorithm

• Published in: IET science, measurement & technology Vol. 11; no. 6; pp. 761 - 765
• Main Authors: Werner, Frank T, Dean, Robert N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Institution of Engineering and Technology 01.09.2017
• Subjects: dissolved ionic compound; electric sensing devices; electrical conductivity measurement; electrodes; electromagnetic simulation; genetic algorithm; genetic algorithms; PCB electrical conductivity sensor; planar electrode; printed circuit board; printed circuits; Research Article; genetic algorithm; electrodes; PCB electrical conductivity sensor; printed circuits; printed circuit board; genetic algorithms; electromagnetic simulation; dissolved ionic compound; electrical conductivity measurement; electric sensing devices; planar electrode
• ISSN: 1751-8822; 1751-8830
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-smt.2016.0489

Measuring electrical conductivity makes it possible to determine the concentration of dissolved ionic compounds in the water. Presented is a sensor developed for easily measuring the electrical conductivity of aqueous solutions. This sensor is comprised of two planar electrodes integrated onto a printed circuit board (PCB). PCB technology enables this sensor to be manufactured at high volumes for a modest cost. However, when the sensor is integrated into a PCB, it becomes difficult to analytically determine the influence the dimensions of the sensor's electrodes have on its measurements. In this research, a genetic algorithm was used to derive an equation predicting the behaviour of a PCB sensor with any reasonable electrode dimensions. Afterwards, the accuracy of this equation was evaluated by comparing its predictions to the measurements taken using actual sensors.