Systems and methods for cosmogenic neutron sensing moisture detection in agricultural settings

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.

A method of manufacturing an apparatus for cosmogenic neutron sensing to detect a moisture:

• providing a thermal neutron proportional counter;
• positioning the thermal neutron proportional counter within a housing formed at least partially from a moderating material, wherein the housing is positioned around the thermal neutron proportional counter;
• positioning a proportional counter electronics unit within the housing, the proportional counter electronics unit having a preamplifier and a shaping amplifier, wherein the preamplifier and the shaping amplifier are directly connected to the thermal neutron proportional counter;
• providing an electrical power to the thermal neutron proportional counter with at least one photovoltaic (PV) panel;
• and
• receiving a signal from the thermal neutron proportional counter in a data logger positioned vertically above the thermal neutron proportional counter, wherein the signal is transmitted through the proportional counter electronics unit before being received by the data logger, and wherein the signal indicates a moisture content within a measurement surface of the thermal neutron proportional counter.