Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) based sensor device and system for detecting the presence of and measuring the concentration of chemical and biological analytes in vapor and liquid phase can include inherent temperature compensation and the capability to operate in a wired mode or in a wireless mode with the ability to measure the distance of the sensor from the wireless transceiver (in addition to measuring temperature and the chemical and/or biological analytes of interest). This device can also monitor changes in state of thin films, including but not limited to sensing glassy to rubbery transitions in polymers, and measurement of the kinetics of chemical and/or biological processes occurring at the surface of the device. Coding, time, and frequency diversity can be included in the device structure to enable production of groups of individually identifiable sensor devices capable of operating simultaneously within the field of view of a wireless transceiver.