System and method for determining bale properties of a crop material bale using microwave-based sensing

A system for determining bale properties of crop material bales formed within an agricultural baler including a baling chamber, the system comprising:

• a sensor assembly configured to transmit first and second microwave signals through a bale of crop material located within the baling chamber at first and second frequencies, respectively, the first frequency of the first microwave signal differing from the second frequency of the second microwave signal;
• a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller being configured to:
• receive microwave signal data from the sensor assembly associated with the first and second microwave signals as transmitted through the bale of crop material;
• calculate a phase angle displacement between the first and second microwave signals based on the microwave signal data;
• and
• determine one or more bale properties of the bale of crop material based at least in part on the calculated phase angle differential.