An RFID bridge antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with
a tag and a reader antenna associated with a reader. The bridge includes
at least two RF antenna elements spaced apart from one another and
coupled together by an electrical conductor. The first RF antenna element
is located proximate to the tag antenna and the second RF antenna element
is located proximate to the reader antenna. An electromagnetic carrier
signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF
antenna element and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF
antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can
communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged
object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow
wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may
also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF
antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data
stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader. The object may
be a module, also known as a customer replaceable unit (CRU), and the tag
may be configured as a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM). The
module may take the form of a container having a closure cap equipped
with a tag and the container may be stored in a cabinet along with an
RFID bridge antenna mounted on the cabinet door to establish data
communication between the tag and a reader.