Antenna arrangement for RFID smart tags

An antenna arrangement defining a detection region for electromagnetic signals, wherein the detection region is bounded by first and second substantially parallel spaced-apart planes and a third plane intersecting both of the first and second planes, said antenna arrangement comprising:

• first and second loop antenna disposed in each of the first and third planes, wherein each of said first and second loop antenna includes a portion disposed in each of the first and third planes, and wherein said first and second loop antenna overlap at least in part in each of the first and third planes;
• third and fourth loop antenna each disposed in the second and third planes, wherein each of said third and fourth loop antenna includes a portion disposed in each of the second and third planes, and wherein said third and fourth loop antenna overlap at least in part in each of the second and third planes;
• a fifth loop antenna disposed in the third plane, wherein at least part of said third loop antenna overlaps at least part of each of said third and fourth loop antenna in the third plane;
• and
• means for coupling said first, second, third, fourth and fifth loop antenna in circuit.

A method for detecting wireless articles in a detection region comprising:

• providing at least two loop antenna;
• disposing the at least two loop antenna in each of first and second intersecting planes intersecting at an angle to define the detection region therebetween, wherein each of said at least two loop antenna includes a portion disposed in each of the first and second intersecting planes, and wherein said at least two loop antenna overlap at least in part in each of the first and second intersecting planes;
• causing the at least two loop antenna to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals having a component of an associated electromagnetic field in each of three mutually orthogonal directions for signaling with the wireless article in the detection region;
• providing a processor;
• coupling the at least two loop antenna and the processor for receiving signals from the wireless article and/or for transmitting signals to the wireless article;
• and
• processing the received and/or transmitted signals.

An antenna as for detecting a wireless article comprising:

• a loop antenna having at least two loops disposed in each of first and second intersecting surfaces intersecting at an angle to define a detection region therebetween in which said loop antenna transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals with a component of an associated electromagnetic field in each of three mutually orthogonal directions and through which an object may pass, wherein the two loops of said loop antenna include a portion crossing over itself at least twice on the first surface and a wavy portion defining at least two waves on the second surface;
• a processor for processing at least received signals as for detecting the wireless article;
• and
• means coupling said at least two antenna loops and said processor for coupling at least the received signals therebetween.

An antenna as for detecting a wireless article comprising:

• a loop antenna formed of a loop conductor,
• said loop antenna having a first portion of the loop conductor disposed in a first plane and crossing over itself at least twice in the first plane,
• said loop antenna having a second portion of the loop conductor adjacent one side of the first plane, the second portion of said loop conductor being wavy for defining at least two waves in the loop conductor relative to distance from the first plane;
• and
• means for coupling said loop antenna to an external processor as for detecting the wireless article.

A method providing an antenna for detecting wireless articles in a detection region comprising:

• providing a loop antenna formed of a loop conductor, wherein a first portion of the loop conductor is disposed in a first plane and crosses over itself at least twice in the first plane, and wherein a second portion of the loop conductor is disposed adjacent one side of the first plane, the second portion of said loop antenna being wavy for defining at least two waves in the loop conductor relative to distance from the first plane,
• wherein the first and second portions of the loop conductor define a loop antenna having a detection region;
• causing the loop antenna to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals having a component of an associated electromagnetic field in each of three mutually orthogonal directions for signaling with the wireless article in the detection region;
• providing a processor;
• coupling the loop antenna and the processor for receiving signals from the wireless article and/or for transmitting signals to the wireless article;
• and
• processing the received and/or transmitted signals.

An antenna as for detecting a wireless article comprising:

• a loop conductor having a first portion disposed in a first plane and a second portion disposed adjacent the first plane,
• wherein the first portion of the loop conductor disposed in the first plane crosses over itself at least at three locations, thereby to define a pretzel-like shape in the first plane, and
• wherein the second portion of the loop conductor disposed adjacent the first plane is proximal the first plane at four first locations and is distal the first plane at three second locations interposed between the four first locations,
• thereby defining at least three waves in said loop conductor in a direction extending from the first plane;
• and
• a tuning circuit coupling said loop conductor to an external processor as for detecting the wireless article.