TDR200
TDR200
OrderableTime-Domain Reflectometer
Overview
The TDR200 Time-Domain Reflectometer is the core of the Campbell Scientific time-domain reflectometry (TDR) system. TDR systems accurately determine soil volumetric water content, soil bulk electrical conductivity, rock mass deformation, or a user-specific time-domain measurement. One Campbell Scientific data logger can control multiple TDR200 reflectometers.
Key Advantages
Technical Description
The TDR200 generates a short rise time electromagnetic pulse that is applied to a coaxial system that includes a TDR probe for soil water measurements. Then the reflectometer samples and digitizes the resulting reflection waveform for analysis or storage.
The elapsed travel time and pulse reflection amplitude contain information used by the on-board processor to quickly and accurately determine soil volumetric water content, soil bulk electrical conductivity, rock mass deformation, or a user-specific time-domain measurement.
The data logger collects a 250-point waveform and analyzes it in approximately two seconds. Each waveform can have up to 10,112 data points for monitoring long cable lengths used in rock mass deformation or slope stability. Advanced noise filtering and averaging make accurate measurements possible in noisy environments.
A Complete System
A complete TDR200-based system includes the TDR200, SDM8X50 multiplexers, data logger, power supply, enclosures, and probes. PC-TDR version 3 software supports TDR200 and sensor setup, troubleshooting, and program generation. This software is available, at no charge, from our website.
The SDM8X50 Multiplexer brochure, TDR Probes component category brochure, and Time-Domain Reflectometry System brochure provide additional information about the TDR system components.
Benefits
- Low power (half the power of the TDR100)
- Robust
- High sensitivity
- High resolution
- Low noise
- Advanced waveform filtering
- Advanced waveform analysis algorithm
- Backward compatible with TDR100 systems (CRBasic data loggers only)
- 60 Hz frequency rejection
Specifications
- Measurements Made
- Volumetric water content (VWC) of porous media (such as soil), soil electrical conductivity (EC), rock mass deformation
- Pulse Generator Output
- 250 mV into 50 Ω
- Output Impedance
- 50 Ω ±1%
- Time Response of Combined Pulse Generator & Sampling Circuit
- ≤ 85 ps
- Pulse Generator Aberrations
- ±16%
(within first 1 ns)
±1%(after 1 ns)
- Pulse Length
- 25.5 μs
- Waveform Averaging
- 1 to 128
- Operating Temperature Range
- -40° to +85°C
- Power Supply
- Unregulated 12 Vdc
(9.6 to 16 Vdc)
150 mA maximum, USB powered (5 Vdc) - Required Equipment
- Measurement system
- Dimensions
- 21.6 x 5.1 x 10.7 cm
(8.5 x 2.0 x 4.2 in.)
- Weight
- 0.79 kg
(1.75 lb)
Waveform Sampling
- -NOTE-
- 20 to 10112 waveform values over chosen length
Distance is Vp=1. Time is one-way travel. - Range
- 0 to 3800 m
(distance)
0 to 27.75 μs(time)
- Resolution
- 1.35 mm
(distance)
< 4.4 ps(time)
Electrostatic Discharge Protection
- Air
- ±8 kV @ 2 Ω
- Contact
- ±4 kV @ 2 Ω
- Surge
- ±2 kV @ 2 Ω
Current Drain
- During Measurement
- 120 mA
- Sleep Mode
- 1 mA
Accessories
(7)SDM8X50
8-Channel 50 Ohm Coaxial Multiplexer for TDR Systems
Limited availabilityCOAXTDR
TDR RG8 Multiplexer Cable with 2 BNC Plug Connectors
OrderableCABLE5CBL
5-Conductor 22 AWG Cable with Drain
Orderable13770
TDR200/100 and SDM8X50/SDMX50 Interconnect Cable, 18 in.
OrderableCS610
3-Rod TDR Probe with RG8 Cable
OrderableCS635
3-Rod 15 cm TDR Probe with Low-Loss Cable
OrderableCS645
3-Rod 7.5 cm TDR Probe with Low-Loss Cable
Orderable
Common Accessories
(3)SDM8X50
8-Channel 50 Ohm Coaxial Multiplexer for TDR Systems
The SDM8X50 is a 50 ohm, coaxial, 8:1 multiplexer used in a TDR200-based system.
Limited availabilityCOAXTDR
TDR RG8 Multiplexer Cable with 2 BNC Plug Connectors
The COAXTDR consists of a 50 ohm, low-loss, RG8 coaxial cable fitted with BNC plug connectors on both ends. It attaches the Level 1 SDM8X50/SDMX50 to the TDR200 reflectometer.
OrderableCABLE5CBL
5-Conductor 22 AWG Cable with Drain
The CABLE5CBL is a 22 AWG, five-conductor cable with a Santoprene jacket and an aluminum Mylar shield. By default, the conductors are stripped and tinned. The cable can also be fitted with a connector for attachment to a prewired enclosure.
Orderable
Other Accessories
(4)13770
TDR200/100 and SDM8X50/SDMX50 Interconnect Cable, 18 in.
This 18 in. long, 50 ohm, RG58 coaxial cable is fitted with BNC pin (male) connectors on both ends. It connects the TDR200 to the Level 1 SDM8X50/SDMX50 in a TDR system.
OrderableCS610
3-Rod TDR Probe with RG8 Cable
OrderableCS635
3-Rod 15 cm TDR Probe with Low-Loss Cable
OrderableCS645
3-Rod 7.5 cm TDR Probe with Low-Loss Cable
Orderable
Replacement Parts
(3)8480
5-Pin Screw Terminal Plug Connector with Threaded Flange
This green power connector has five screw terminals. It may be purchased to replace a lost or damaged connector.
Orderable32559
TDR200 or SDM8X50 to Datalogger Cables, 15 in. and 12 in.
The 32559 provides a 15 in. cable and a 12 in. cable. These cables connect the TDR200 reflectometer to the datalogger.
Orderable27555
USB 2.0 Cable, Type A Pin (Male) to Micro B Pin (Male), 6/6.5 ft
The 27555 is a USB Type A to Micro B, pin (male)-to-pin (male) cable, 6 to 6.5 ft long. It connects devices using the Micro B interface to a USB port on a computer.
Orderable
Similar Products
(1)Related Resources
Case Studies
Documents
- Manual
TDR200-Based Time-Domain Reflectometry System
August 2019
View Document - Brochure
TDR200 Time-Domain Reflectometer
March 2026
View Document - Compliance
TDR200 UK Declaration of Conformity
View Document - Compliance
TDR200 EU Declaration of Conformity
October 2016
View Document
Showing 4 of 6 results
See all DocumentsDownloads
- TDR200 OSv3Login required
January 22, 2019
OS and FirmwareCurrent version of the TDR200 firmware. Requires the use of the PC-TDR to update the TDR200 OS. Instructions can be found within PC-TDR.
- PC-TDRv3.0Login required
December 15, 2016
Software ApplicationsSupport software designed for the TDR200 and is also compatible with the retired TDR100 Time-Domain Reflectometer.
Videos and Tutorials

Measuring Water in the Soil: A Webinar
January 21, 2021 (32:06)
Common theories for making measurements of soil water content
Watch
Webinaire sur l’humidité du sol
February 9, 2021 (18:24)
Soil Moisture Content measurement webinar - French version
Watch
Seminario web Humedad de Suelo
February 9, 2021 (20:51)
Soil Moisture Content measurement webinar - Spanish
Watch
