5. Model studies by sensor array simulation
5.1. Sensor array response generation
In order to verify that the present selection successfully discriminates the target marker VOCs we performed simulation experiments by assuming a theoretical SAW sensor array having six sensing elements coated by the six selected polymers in Table 8. The theoretical SAW sensor response model is developed and extensively validated by experiments, and it has been used in our earlier studies on polymer selection [60]. The model details can be seen in [118,119], and a review in [35]. In brief, we assume the individual sensors in the array to be a polymer coated SAW delay line oscillator operating at nominal frequency f = 300 MHz. The oscillator frequency changes by f under equilibrium sorption of the analyte vapors. The sensor output is defined to be the fractional change in the oscillator frequency given as