FOM2/mts Portable Soil Moisture, Electrical Conductivity & Temperature Analyzer
| Origin | Poland |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | FOM2/mts Portable Soil Moisture, EC & Temperature Analyzer |
| Price | Upon Request |
| Measurement Principle | Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) |
| Measurement Range | Volumetric Water Content 0–100 %, Temperature −20 °C to +50 °C, Electrical Conductivity 0.000–1.000 S/m |
| Accuracy | ±2 % of reading (VWC), ±10 % (EC), ±0.5 °C (Temperature) |
| Resolution | 0.1 % (VWC), 1 mS/m (EC), 0.1 °C (Temperature) |
| Power | Rechargeable Li-ion battery, 2500 mAh / 3.7 V DC (factory-replaceable) |
| Battery Life | Up to 3,000 measurements or 182 days standby |
| Charging | Micro-USB, ≥0.5 A / 5 V |
| Operating Temperature | +5 °C to +50 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −10 °C to +50 °C |
| Relative Humidity | 0–90 % RH (5–35 °C), 0–75 % RH (35–40 °C), 0–45 % RH (40–50 °C) |
| Altitude Limit | ≤2,000 m above sea level |
| Wireless Interface | Bluetooth 4.2, 2.4 GHz ISM band, up to 20 m line-of-sight |
| Dimensions | 1.9 cm × 7.0 cm × 12.5 cm |
| Weight | 200.5 g |
Overview
The FOM2/mts Portable Soil Moisture, Electrical Conductivity & Temperature Analyzer is a field-deployable, tri-parameter soil sensor system engineered for in situ, real-time characterization of soil physical and electrochemical properties. Built upon Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurement principles, the device delivers high reproducibility in volumetric water content (VWC) quantification by analyzing the propagation velocity and reflection characteristics of electromagnetic pulses along embedded waveguides. Simultaneously, it integrates calibrated thermistor-based temperature sensing and four-electrode conductivity measurement to derive bulk electrical conductivity (EC)—a robust proxy for soluble salt concentration and soil solution ionic strength. Designed for rapid deployment across heterogeneous terrain, the FOM2/mts eliminates the need for soil extraction or laboratory drying, enabling direct insertion into undisturbed profiles for depth-resolved data acquisition. Its compact form factor and low-power architecture support extended unattended operation in remote monitoring networks or discrete point surveys under variable climatic conditions.
Key Features
- Triple-parameter TDR-based sensing: simultaneous, co-located measurement of volumetric water content, bulk electrical conductivity, and soil temperature at a single probe location
- Bluetooth 4.2 wireless interface (2.4 GHz ISM band) with up to 20 m line-of-sight range for seamless pairing with Android smartphones or tablets
- Factory-calibrated, replaceable Li-ion battery (2500 mAh / 3.7 V DC) supporting ≥3,000 discrete measurements per full charge
- Ruggedized housing rated for field use: IP65-equivalent ingress protection against dust and low-pressure water jets
- High-resolution digital output: 0.1 % VWC, 1 mS/m EC, and 0.1 °C temperature resolution with traceable accuracy specifications
- Operational reliability across wide environmental envelopes: functional from +5 °C to +50 °C ambient, with storage capability down to −10 °C
- Compact dimensions (1.9 × 7.0 × 12.5 cm) and lightweight design (200.5 g) optimized for handheld survey workflows and backpack-mounted deployments
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FOM2/mts is validated for use in mineral soils, loams, sandy and clayey textures, as well as organic-rich substrates where probe insertion is mechanically feasible. It is not intended for saturated slurries, frozen ground, or highly gravelly media (>20 % stone fraction >2 cm). Measurement fidelity adheres to ASTM D5084–22 (Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials) and ISO 11274:2022 (Soil Quality — Determination of Water Retention Characteristic Curves). The device complies with EU CE marking directives for electromagnetic compatibility (2014/30/EU) and radio equipment (2014/53/EU), and meets RoHS 2011/65/EU restrictions on hazardous substances. Data logging protocols support GLP-compliant field documentation when paired with validated Android applications featuring audit-trail functionality and timestamped metadata capture.
Software & Data Management
Data acquisition and visualization are managed via a dedicated Android application (minimum OS version 8.0) that establishes secure Bluetooth pairing with the FOM2/mts module. The app displays real-time parameter values, supports manual or automated sampling intervals (1 s to 24 h), and stores raw and processed readings in CSV-compatible format with embedded GPS coordinates (when enabled on host device). Exported datasets include sensor ID, measurement timestamp, ambient temperature, battery voltage, and signal quality indicators (e.g., TDR waveform integrity index). The software architecture supports offline operation and batch synchronization upon network reconnection. All stored records are encrypted at rest and comply with GDPR-aligned local data sovereignty requirements. For integration into enterprise platforms, RESTful API access is available under licensed developer agreement—enabling ingestion into LIMS, GIS, or cloud-based agronomic decision-support systems.
Applications
- Irrigation scheduling and precision agriculture: dynamic adjustment of water inputs based on real-time root-zone moisture and salinity thresholds
- Soil health monitoring: longitudinal tracking of VWC-EC-temperature coupling to assess leaching efficiency, sodicity risk, and freeze-thaw impacts
- Environmental site assessment: delineation of contaminant plumes via anomalous EC signatures in vadose and saturated zones
- Ecohydrological research: calibration of land surface models using in situ boundary condition data for evapotranspiration and infiltration parameterization
- Landfill and remediation site management: verification of cap integrity and leachate migration through multi-depth profile comparisons
- Academic field pedology: hands-on student training in soil physical property interrelationships and sensor-based methodology validation
FAQ
What measurement principle does the FOM2/mts employ for soil moisture determination?
It uses Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR), which measures the dielectric permittivity of soil via high-frequency electromagnetic pulse propagation along parallel stainless-steel rods.
Is factory recalibration required, and at what intervals?
Calibration is performed during manufacturing against NIST-traceable reference standards; annual verification is recommended for critical applications, using certified test soils or saline solutions.
Can the device operate in frozen soil conditions?
No—measurements are invalid below 0 °C due to phase change effects on dielectric response and electrode polarization; the instrument’s operating range begins at +5 °C.
Does the Android application support multi-user role-based access control?
Not natively; however, enterprise deployments may integrate with third-party MDM (Mobile Device Management) frameworks to enforce authentication policies and data access permissions.
How is sensor-to-soil contact resistance mitigated during EC measurement?
The four-electrode configuration isolates current injection from voltage sensing, eliminating contact resistance errors and ensuring stable bulk conductivity readings across varying soil textures and moisture levels.
