A
system (1) for
object detection by time-domain
reflectometry comprises a sensor arrangement (10) with at least one
signal line (12, 17, 18, 24), which is disposed within a detection area (A), comprises at least one conductor (13) and is adapted to propagate an
electromagnetic signal (S, R), wherein a local impedance of the
signal line (12, 17, 18, 24) is influenceable by an object (50) in at least one detection region (D1-D4) associated with the
signal line (12, 17, 18, 24), and wherein the sensor arrangement (10) comprises, for at least one signal line (12, 17, 18, 24), at least one
impedance discontinuity corresponding to a local impedance change; and a control device (30) that is operatively coupled to the at least one signal line (12, 17, 18, 24). The control device (30) is adapted to: - apply (100) a time-dependent detection signal (S) to each signal line (12) and receive a reflection signal (R) from the signal line (12); - identify (110) at least one characteristic feature (C1-C4) in the reflection signal (R) and determine a measured timing of the characteristic feature (C1-C4) wherein the characteristic feature (C1-C4) is associated with a reflection by an
impedance discontinuity of the signal line (12, 17, 18, 24), - determine (120), for each characteristic feature (C1-C4), a time shift between the measured timing and a reference timing of the characteristic feature (C1-C4); and - detect (130) an object (50) in at least one detection region (D1-D4) based on the at least one time shift.