Wireless conveyor belt condition monitoring system and related apparatus and method

A system comprising:

• a transmitter configured to generate first wireless signals for communication towards a conveyor belt via at least one antenna so that the first wireless signals penetrate one or more layers in the conveyor belt;
• a receiver configured to receive via the at least one antenna second wireless signals that have interacted with the conveyor belt;
• and
• a signal processing unit configured to identify a condition of the conveyor belt using the second wireless signals;
• wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the first wireless signals at each of upper and lower covers of the conveyor belt;
• wherein the receiver is configured to receive the second wireless signals from each cover of the conveyor belt;
• and
• wherein the signal processing unit is configured to identify a condition of the upper cover and a condition of the lower cover of the conveyor belt.

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one interface configured to receive wireless signals that have interacted with a conveyor belt;
• and
• at least one processing device configured to identify a condition of the conveyor belt using the wireless signals;
• wherein the at least one processing device is configured to identify the condition of the conveyor belt by determining whether pulses in the wireless signals are indicative of an exposed reinforcing structure or one or more defective belt joints.