A phase shifting diode detector system for an RFID reader. Quarter-wave delay circuitry is coupled between a forward transmitted signal of the RFID reader applied at a first end of the delay circuitry, and a reflected signal returning from an RFID tag applied at a second end of the delay circuitry. The system includes a pair of diode detector bridges, each comprising a series-coupled diode pair configured such that diode polarities in each bridge are reversed relative to the output thereof, to produce opposite rectified signal output polarities. An input to each of the bridges is capacitively coupled, from the junction between each said diode pair, to a respective opposite end of the delay circuitry.