METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REAL TIME RFID LOCATING ONBOARD AN AIRCRAFT

An aircraft communications and item tracking system is described. The system includes an RFID reader and a communications device located at fixed locations within the aircraft, a plurality of passive RFID tags operable for association with items within the aircraft, and a distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna units and a wireless distribution system. The wireless distribution system is communicatively coupled to an aircraft communications network. The antenna units are communicatively coupled to the wireless distribution system and disbursed about the aircraft such that the RFID tags within the aircraft may be activated by signals output by at least one of the antenna units. The RFID reader and communications device are communicatively coupled to the wireless distribution system. The distributed antenna system is operable for transmission and reception of signals associated with the RFID reader and RFID tags. The distributed antenna system is further operable for transmission and reception of signals associated with the communications device.