Patent attributes
Antenna assemblies for controlling radiation patterns or backscatter sensing zones are provided. The antenna assemblies may be used in a system for identifying items, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system having an RFID reader and a plurality of RFID tags. In one embodiment, an antenna assembly may include a directional antenna having a fanned-shaped radiation pattern. In addition to the directional antenna, the antenna assembly may further include a right shroud element configured to reduce a right side of the fanned-shaped radiation pattern and a left shroud element configured to reduce a left side of the fanned-shaped radiation pattern.