Dual mode sensor for belt conveyor systems based on planar metamaterials

A new sensor concept has been developed using a metamaterial transmission line with two different operation modes for the simultaneous detection of material permittivity and position. In the first mode the sensor is used as a resonator and the permittivity is detected accurately and with a moderate cost. On the second mode the sensor is used as a transmission line and the spatial material distribution is detected using time domain reflectometry techniques. A prototype sensor has been realized and tested in a dedicated measurement setup. The areas of application of these types of sensors are material monitoring during transportation in conveyor belts for several industrial processes.