Method and system for controlling filter operation

A filter control system, comprising:

• a filter element that removes contaminant matter from a flow contained in a filter housing, the filter housing forming a radio frequency resonant cavity;
• and
• a filter load monitoring system that determines the amount of contaminant matter accumulated in the filter, the load monitoring system comprising:
• at least one probe that transmits radio frequency signals through the resonant cavity and filter medium across a frequency range sufficient to generate a plurality of resonant modes;
• at least one probe that receives radio frequency signals transmitted through the resonant cavity and filter medium across a frequency range sufficient to generate a plurality of resonant modes, said received radio frequency signals defining a plurality of radio frequency resonant curves;
• and
• a control unit that determines, based on said radio frequency resonant curves, the amount of material accumulated in the filter, and a spatial distribution of the contaminant material in the filter, and initiates an action based on the amount of material accumulated in the filter.