A sensor arrangement comprising - a sensor unit, - at least one target (1.2) cooperating with the sensor unit, - means (1.10) for signal processing, - wherein the sensor arrangement is intended and suitable for inductive or capacitive detection of the at least one target by determining at least one physical parameter by means of the sensor unit, which is excited by at least one periodic excitation (1.4) - wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one detection area in which the at least one target (1.2) leads to changes in the parameter in the environment of the sensor unit and thus results in an output signal (1.7) of the sensor unit, - wherein the sensor unit is connected such that, - if there are no changes in the parameter in the detection region, the output signal (1.7) at the output of the sensor unit is a zero signal, - whereas in the event of changes in the parameter in the detection region the output signal (1.7) is a signal not equal to zero and having a particular amplitude and phase, - wherein the means (1.10) for signal processing are configured to adjust the signal not equal to zero in the receiving path to zero in a closed control loop with a control signal (1.6) even in the presence of changes in the parameter in the detection region to achieve a compensated condition, - wherein a deviation (Δx, Δy) in the control signal, required for the purpose of achieving the compensated condition, from a compensated initial condition, as information on the parameter, is inherent in the control signal (1.6), characterised in that the target (1.2) comprises a shape or composition which changes along a measuring direction (m), and in that, by means of the means (1.10) for signal processing, in a four-quadrant representation of the deviation (Δx, Δy) of the control signal in the form of a vector analysis in a phase space - the distance of the target (1.2) from the sensor unit in the direction of the distance is determined on the basis of a magnitude of an imaginary vector (2.6) which leads from the origin (2.7) of an x, y coordinate system to a measuring point (2.5), which origin (2.7) corresponds to the compensated initial condition, and/or - at least one of the variables comprising a position of the target, a movement of the target transverse to the direction of the distance, a material property of the target, a shape of the target, a size of the surface of the target is determined on the basis of an angle of the imaginary vector (2.6) to the x-axis of the x, y-coordinate system. - a sensor unit, - at least one target (1.2) cooperating with the sensor unit, - means (1.10) for signal processing, - wherein the sensor arrangement is intended and suitable for inductive or capacitive detection of the at least one target by determining at least one physical parameter by means of the sensor unit, which is excited by at least one periodic excitation (1.4) - wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one detection area in which the at least one target (1.2) leads to changes in the parameter in the environment of the sensor unit and thus results in an output signal (1.7) of the sensor unit, - wherein the sensor unit is connected such that, - if there are no changes in the parameter in the detection region, the output signal (1.7) at the output of the sensor unit is a zero signal, - whereas in the event of changes in the parameter in the detection region the output signal (1.7) is a signal not equal to zero and having a particular amplitude and phase, - if there are no changes in the parameter in the detection region, the output signal (1.7) at the output of the sensor unit is a zero signal, - whereas in the event of changes in the parameter in the detection region the output signal (1.7) is a signal not equal to zero and having a particular amplitude and phase, - wherein the means (1.10) for signal processing are configured to adjust the signal not equal to zero in the receiving path to zero in a closed control loop with a control signal (1.6) even in the presence of changes in the parameter in the detection region to achieve a compensated condition, - wherein a deviation (Δx, Δy) in the control signal, required for the purpose of achieving the compensated condition, from a compensated initial condition, as information on the parameter, is inherent in the control signal (1.6), characterised in that the target (1.2) comprises a shape or composition which changes along a measuring direction (m), and in that, by means of the means (1.10) for signal processing, in a four-quadrant representation of the deviation (Δx, Δy) of the control signal in the form of a vector analysis in a phase space - the distance of the target (1.2) from the sensor unit in the direction of the distance is determined on the basis of a magnitude of an imaginary vector (2.6) which leads from the origin (2.7) of an x, y coordinate system to a measuring point (2.5), which origin (2.7) corresponds to the compensated initial condition, and/or - at least one of the variables comprising a position of the target, a movement of the target transverse to the direction of the distance, a material property of the target, a shape of the target, a size of the surface of the target is determined on the basis of an angle of the imaginary vector (2.6) to the x-axis of the x, y-coordinate system.