MCT-Array: A Novel Portable Transceiver Antenna Array for Material Classification With Machine Learning

Material classification is pivotal across materials science, engineering, and various industrial sectors. Despite the high accuracy of traditional material classification methods, they often entail large, intricate, and costly setups that demand skilled operators. In this study, we introduce the MCT-array, a newly developed compact RF antenna array system measuring
$100\times 100 \times 2$
mm, which functions as a transceiver. This device, equipped with 32 receiving antennas and 2 transmitters, leverages dynamic power adjustments to refine material detection accuracy. The study evaluates three machine learning classifiers, namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Random Forest (RandF) on twelve different materials. MATLAB simulations are initially conducted to identify optimal transceiver configurations. Following the identification of optimal parameters from these simulations, real-world experiments are conducted with the materials positioned 30 cm away from the antenna. Results demonstrate that RandF achieves a material classification accuracy of 94.84%, followed by SVM at 94.5%, and MLP at 94.1%. Detailed analysis further reveals that RandF is the preferred option for tasks demanding the highest levels of accuracy, SVM strikes an optimal balance between processing speed and accuracy, while MLP stands out for its rapid prediction times, making it especially suitable for real-time applications. Integrating an innovative portable RF transceiver with these machine learning models, achieving an impressive average accuracy of over 94%, represents a scalable and effective solution. This innovation holds significant promise for sectors engaged in material classification, particularly in the realms of robotics and automation.