Multi-mode microwave waveguide blade sensing system

A multi-mode microwave waveguide blade sensing system, comprising:

• a transceiver configured to generate at least one microwave energy signal having a first waveguide mode and a second waveguide mode different from the first waveguide mode;
• a waveguide including a first end configured to receive the at least one microwave energy signal from the transceiver;
• and
• a probe sensor including a proximate end in signal communication with a second end of the waveguide to receive the at least one microwave energy signal and a distal end including an aperture configured to output the at least one microwave energy signal,
• a controller configured to monitor rotation of a plurality of blades formed on a rotor of a machine, to determine a rotational position of a given blade among the plurality of blades with respect to the probe sensor, and to control the transceiver to vary characteristics of the at least one microwave energy signal to invoke the first and second waveguide modes,
• wherein the probe sensor directs the microwave energy signal toward a machine including the plurality of blades formed on the rotor at a first direction based on the first waveguide mode and a second direction different from the first direction based on the second waveguide mode, and receives different levels of reflected microwave energy based at least in part on a location at which the at least one microwave energy signal is reflected from the machine, and
• wherein the controller selectively invokes the first and second waveguide modes based on the rotational position of the given blade with respect to a field of view of the probe sensor.