Multifunctional sensor based on a planar capacitor for remote sensing

The article deals with the issues related to the technical implementation of environmental sensing using capacitive sensors. It proposes a design of a capacitive sensor of a planar type, and studies physical principles of its operation. The operation of the sensor in two main modes is analyzed: 1) determination of the distance to the object at known electrophysical characteristics of the object; 2) determination of the electrophysical characteristics of the object at a known distance to it. The article provides data of direct measurements of the sensor capacitance and its output signal level under various conditions.