Incluye referencias bibliográficas.

1. Introduction to microwave reflectometry -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Time domain reflectometry (TDR) -- 1.3 The sensing element -- 1.4 Brief overview of TDR applications -- 1.5 Bibliography --

2. Reflectometry for leak localization in underground pipes -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Survey of the state-of-the-art methods for leak detection -- 2.3 Leak localization in pipes made of any material -- 2.3.1 Measurement apparatus -- 2.3.2 Case study on a pilot plant -- 2.3.3 Description of the practical implementation -- 2.4 Leak localization in already-installed metallic pipes -- 2.4.1 Measurement apparatus -- 2.4.2 Case study -- 2.5 Conclusion -- 2.6 Bibliography --

3. Reflectometry for moisture monitoring in buildings -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Ex-ante monitoring of water content in building structures -- 3.2.1 Hydration process of a mortar sample -- 3.2.2 Hydration process of a concrete sample -- 3.3 Ex-post monitoring of water content in building structures -- 3.4 Practical implementation of the system: a case study -- 3.5 Conclusion -- 3.6 Bibliography --

4. Reflectometry for liquid-level monitoring -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Theoretical background -- 4.3 Liquid-specific level monitoring system -- 4.4 Liquid-independent level monitoring system -- 4.4.1 Test case: level monitoring in a metallic container -- 4.4.2 Test case: level monitoring in a non-metallic container -- 4.5 Theoretical analysis for the practical implementation -- 4.5.1 Level monitoring in metallic container -- 4.5.2 Level monitoring in non-metallic container -- 4.6 Conclusion -- 4.7 Bibliography -- Authors' biographies.

This book offers a comprehensive review of innovative measurement and monitoring solutions based on time domain reflectometry (TDR). This technique has numerous applications in several fields, ranging from the characterization of electronic devices to quality control of vegetable oils. However, most of the well-established TDR-based monitoring solutions rely on local or punctual probes; therefore, typically, to monitor large areas/volumes, a high number of probes must be employed, with the consequent maintenance and management requirements. On such bases, in the last few years, the authors have carried out extensive research on the use of diffused wirelike sensing elements to be used as probes for TDR measurements. The basic idea has been to extend the principles of punctual TDR-based monitoring to multi-purpose networks of diffused, sensing elements (SEfs), embedded permanently within the systems to be monitored (STBMfs). These SEs can be tens of meters long, and can follow any desired path inside the STBM.; in fact, they are inactive inside the STBM. Additionally, these SEfs are passive (i.e., they do not require batteries) and their sensing ability is activated, by the TDR signal, when they are connected to the measurement instrument. In addition to this, these SEfs are completely maintenance-free. Starting from these considerations, this book addresses the use of low-cost, passive, flexible, wire-like SEfs to be used in conjunction with TDR. This book also provides several application test cases, with hints for practical implementation of the described monitoring systems.