A method of assembling a remote sensor system to detect a gas or chemical and a remote sensor system are described. The method includes fabricating a sensor, the sensor outputting a sensor signal that changes upon contact of the sensor with the gas or chemical and the sensor having an input port for a clock signal, coupling a capacitor to the sensor, the capacitor output voltage resulting from the sensor signal output by the sensor, and coupling a mixer to the capacitor and a low frequency oscillator, the mixer configured to mix the capacitor output voltage with the low frequency oscillator output to generate an output signal. The method also includes coupling an antenna to the mixer, the antenna configured to transmit the output signal indicating detection of the gas or chemical.