Abstract: An antenna is provided including a first loop having at least one first conductor and a second loop having at least one second conductor, the second conductor connected to the first conductor. The first loop has a first enclosed area defined by the area inside the perimeter of the first loop and a first phase center point defined by the geometric center point of the first enclosed area. The second loop is coupled to the first loop and is disposed a distance from and substantially parallel to the first loop. The second loop has a second enclosed area substantially equal to the first enclosed area and a second phase center point. A line normal to the plane of the first loop passes through the first and second phase center points. The first and second loops are disposed to substantially reduce the far-field illumination, while substantially maintaining the near-field illumination at effective radio frequency identification system operational levels.

Abstract: An article identification system includes a transceiver that generates a request signal and transmits the request signal, where the request signal requests information corresponding to an article. A transponder is coupled to the article, receives the request signal, and generates an output signal in response to the request signal, where the output signal includes information corresponding to the article. A loop antenna proximate to the transponder enhances the output signal. The transceiver detects the enhanced output signal and receives the information corresponding to the article.

Abstract: An article identification system includes a transceiver that generates a request signal and transmits the request signal, where the request signal requests information corresponding to an article. A transponder is coupled to the article, receives the request signal, and generates an output signal in response to the request signal, where the output signal includes information corresponding to the article. A loop antenna proximate to the transponder enhances the output signal. The transceiver detects the enhanced output signal and receives the information corresponding to the article.