Method for self-synchronizing a conveyor belt sensor system

A self-synchronizing system and method for conveyor belt sensor operation is disclosed based on the address of an RFID tag in the belt and the location of that tag in the system memory. A moving conveyor belt system has a plurality of sensors spaced along the belt and a sensor reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a sensor passing by the sensor reader. The belt further includes a plurality of identification tags spaced along the belt and a tag reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a tag passing by the tag reader. Associated time and distance target values are acquired from a calibration table for a next sensor (S) based upon a detected and identified functional tag. Time and distance counters are initiated. The conveyor belt may be stopped in the event that the next sensor (S) is not detected before the time and distance target values are exceeded.