Development of a novel wireless and passive Love wave based ice sensor

a novel configuration of wireless and passive Love wave based ice sensing device employing waveguide structure of SiO2/36°YX LiTaO3 with high mass sensitivity and excellent temperature stability was presented in this work. A reflective delay line consists of a transducer and three reflectors on 36° YX LiTaO3 substrate with SiO2 guiding layer was developed as the sensor element. Prior to sensing device development, the coupling of modes (COM) modeling was performed to device simulation. Using the typical lithography technology, the sensing device was developed at 433 MHz, and packaged with a permeable film. Using the experimental setup composed of a high-low temperature chamber, wireless transceiver module and sensing device, the response in time domain of the developed sensing device was characterized. The mass loading effect in icing process modulates the propagation of Love wave, resulting in the corresponding phase response shift. By wireless measurement, the phase change from water to ice was detected, and the measured results addressed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed wireless and passive Love wave ice sensor.