Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic signals

An antenna apparatus for effecting electromagnetic signal transfers between a host unit and a medium adjacent the antenna apparatus;

• the apparatus comprising:
• (a) a first signal transfer element;
• said first signal transfer element being oriented substantially parallel with an antenna plane;
• said signal transfer element including a first generally planar antenna element on a first face of a generally planar first dielectric substrate and a second generally planar antenna element on a second face of said first substrate;
• said first face being in opposing relation with said second face;
• said first signal transfer element being adjacent said medium;
• (b) a second signal transfer element;
• said second signal transfer element including a pair of first metal lands separated by a substantially linear metal-free slot line zone;
• said pair of first metal lands and said slot line zone substantially occupying a first area on a first side of a generally planar second dielectric substrate;
• said second signal transfer element further including a second metal land substantially occupying a second area on a second side of said second substrate;
• said first side and said second side being in opposing relation;
• said first area and said second area being substantially in register;
• said second signal transfer element presenting a first coupling locus and a second coupling locus at opposing ends of said slot line zone;
• said first coupling locus being proximal with said first antenna element;
• said second coupling locus being configured for coupling with said host unit;
• and
• (c) a coupling structure;
• said coupling structure effecting electromagnetic coupling between said first signal transfer element and said second signal transfer element;
• said coupling structure presenting an aperture traversing said first antenna element;
• said aperture being substantially in register with said first coupling locus;
• said first signal transfer element, said coupling structure and said second signal transfer element cooperating to transfer electromagnetic signals between said host unit and said medium when said host unit is coupled with said second coupling locus.