US Patent 7342513 Aircraft interior wireless communications system

A wireless communications system suitable for use within an aircraft, such as a part of a wireless emergency lighting system (WELS) is provided. In an aircraft, EXIT signs are located throughout the interior of the aircraft, including the ceiling (general illumination), seats (floor proximity) and EXIT doors (locator/identifier). A wireless communications system uses an integrated lens antenna system that takes advantage of the quantity and location of emergency lights such that any given light will have a direct radio frequency (RF) path to several other lights. A virtual network can be created such that if the path between any two lights becomes disrupted, alternate paths will be constructed under software control.