Multi-layered efficient RFID coupler

1. An RFID system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders, the system comprising:

a transponder conveyance adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder operating region;

a transceiver configured to generate communication signals, said transceiver defining a source impedance; and

a near field coupler structured in electrical communication with said transceiver for receiving the communication signals, said coupler defining an input impedance and including,

a grounded terminal load,

a coupling element in electrical communication with said grounded terminal load and configured to transmit a near field electromagnetic field into the transponder operating region, and

an impedance matching element in electrical communication with said coupling element and configured to substantially match the input impedance to the source impedance,

wherein said coupling element and said impedance matching element are structured in a substantially parallel stacked arrangement and separated by at least one dielectric layer and at least one ground plane.

2. The RFID system according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling element and said impedance matching element are substantially aligned so as to minimize an overall length of said near field coupler.

3. The RFID system according to claim 1 , wherein said impedance matching element is a quarter wavelength microstrip section.

4. The RFID system according to claim 1 , wherein said impedance matching element is a plurality of quarter wavelength microstrip sections.

5. The RFID system according to claim 4 , wherein said quarter wavelength microstrip sections are substantially coplanar and at least two microstrip sections are non-linear relative to each other.

6. The RFID system according to claim 1 , wherein the source impedance is approximately 50 ohms and said terminal load is greater than 50 ohms.

7. The RFID system according to claim 1 , further comprising a printhead for printing indicia onto the at least one targeted transponder.

8. The RFID system according to claim 7 , wherein said printhead engages the at least one targeted transponder in the transponder operating region.

9. A coupler configured to couple a transceiver with a transponder, said coupler comprising:

an input terminal structured to receive an input signal from the transceiver;

a grounded terminal load,

a coupling element electrically connected with said grounded terminal load and configured to couple with the transponder,

an impedance matching element electrically connected with said input terminal and configured to substantially match an input impedance defined by said coupler to a source impedance defined by the transceiver, and

a connecting element for electrically connecting said impedance matching element to said coupling element,

wherein said coupling element and said impedance matching element are structured in a substantially parallel stacked arrangement and separated by at least one dielectric layer and at least one ground plane.

10. The coupler according to claim 9 , wherein said coupling element and said impedance matching element are substantially aligned so as to minimize an overall length of the coupler.

11. A RFID printer-encoder for printing and programming a series of media units wherein at least one of the media units include at least one transponder; said printer-encoder comprising:

a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units;

a media conveyance adapted to transport the series of media units including the at least one transponder to said printhead and to a transponder operating region;

a transceiver configured to generate communication signals, said transceiver defining a source impedance; and

a near field coupler defining an input impedance, said near field coupler configured to receive the communications signals from the transceiver and selectively communicate with a transponder in the transponder operating region, said near field coupler includes a microstrip line extending from an input terminal to a terminal load, said microstrip line having at least a first region and a second region separated by a plurality of dielectric layers and at least one ground plane,

wherein the first region is configured to substantially match the input impedance to the source impedance and the second region is configured to generate a near field signal to couple with the transponder in the transponder operating region.

12. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 11 , wherein the first region and the second region are substantially aligned and substantially parallel so as to minimize an overall length of said near field coupler.

13. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 11 , wherein the first region forms one or more quarter wavelength microstrip sections.

14. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 13 , wherein the first region is partially non-linear.

15. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 11 , wherein the source impedance is approximately 50 ohms and said terminal load is greater than 50 ohms.

16. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 11 , wherein the second region being characterized by a comparatively low impedance relative to the first region.

17. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 11 , wherein the first region includes a matching impedance up to 800 ohms for substantially matching the source impedance and the input impedance.

18. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 11 , wherein the first region and the second region are separated by four layers of dielectric layers and two ground planes.

19. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 17 , wherein the dielectric layers include a FR-4 material.

20. The RFID printer-encoder according to claim 19 , wherein the first region and the second region are connected by a via.