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V.L.Singh'S RTR (A) Private Tutorials: Synopsis: Distance Measuring Equipment (Dme)

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) measures the slant range between an aircraft and a ground station. It operates in the UHF band between 960-1215 MHz and uses a random pulse technique to determine distance. DME can also derive ground speed and time to station when paired with a VOR or ILS. The ground station transmits interrogation pulses which the aircraft receiver uses to calculate distance based on the round trip time of the pulses factoring in light speed. DME provides accurate position information for instrument approaches and is subject to line of sight reception limitations.

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252 views

V.L.Singh'S RTR (A) Private Tutorials: Synopsis: Distance Measuring Equipment (Dme)

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) measures the slant range between an aircraft and a ground station. It operates in the UHF band between 960-1215 MHz and uses a random pulse technique to determine distance. DME can also derive ground speed and time to station when paired with a VOR or ILS. The ground station transmits interrogation pulses which the aircraft receiver uses to calculate distance based on the round trip time of the pulses factoring in light speed. DME provides accurate position information for instrument approaches and is subject to line of sight reception limitations.

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vinay
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V.L.

SINGH’S RTR(A) PRIVATE TUTORIALS


(Email: airdreamer.airbus320@gmail.com , Mo: 08108304735)

 SYNOPSIS : DISTANCE MEASURING EQUIPMENT (DME)

 Introduction.
→DME is a secondary radar system. As the name suggest, it measures slant range from ground
station.
→Although DME only provides distance directly, it can also derive Ground speed & Time to
reach the station. DME computes Ground speed by timing the interval between distance
changes. Time to station is calculated from Ground speed & distance. Ground speed & Time
is accurate only when A/C is travelling directly towards or away from station.

 Frequency Range.
→It operates in UHF Band and the 252 available channels (126X & 126Y) are contained in
960 MHZ -1215 MHZ with 1 MHZ spacing.
→Transmitter : 1025-1150 MHZ.
Receiver : 962 –1213 MHZ.

 Principle :- Random PRF/Pulse Technique.

 Diagram.
 Operation.
→The interrogator in the A/C transmits a stream of pulses on the carrier frequency of ground
Transponder in jittered form.
→At the instant of transmission, the receiver of interrogator sets up gates to match the random
PRF of transmitted twin pulses. Also it starts a range search.
→The DME Transponder on ground re-transmits the interrogation pulses after a delay of 50μs
(processing time) at a frequency +/- 63 MHZ from the interrogation frequency on same carrier
wave.
→The receiving equipment of an A/C is designed so that the responses which match its
randomized PRF are allowed through the gates. The pulses are now locked on. The DME is in
Tracking mode.
→As the A/C range from station increases or decreases, the gate moves to accommodate the
corresponding increase or decrease in time between transmission & reception of pulses. This
Lock & Follow Technique ensures the returning twin pulses are continuosly tracked.
→To achieve a rapid “Lock-on”, the DME interrogator transmits 150 pulses /sec for 100 sec.
→These reply pulses are now sensed by Timing circuits in A/C receiver that measures the
elapsed time between transmission & reception. Electronic Circuits within the receiver then
substracts 50μs from this time, multiplies the obtained value with speed of Light & divides by
2 to obtain the Slant Range.

 VOR/DME Frequency Pairing.


DME facilities can exist alone but they are usually co-located with VOR. Although VOR (VHF)
& DME (UHF) operate on different frequencies, the two are integrated through paired
frequencies. Only one frequency must be selected (VOR) & the other (DME) is automatically
selected.
 ILS/DME Pairing.
Most Localizers (Track guidance component of ILS System) are paired with DME located
very close to landing threshold of Runway. This provides accurate & continuous distance
information during an instrument approach to land. Many ILS instrument approach
procedures commence with flying a constant distance arc based on DME.

 DME Controls & Indicators.


 Station Identification.
A 3-Letter call sign is transmitted every 30 sec usually in conjunction of VOR. There is no
range information present at the time of identification. A/C equipment have a 10 sec
memory circuit to display the range during time identification.

 Operational Uses.
→Two position Fixes are obtained when DME is used in conjunction with VOR/ILS.
→It provides a basis for more accurate holding patterns on DME arc.
→Apart from slant range , Ground Speed & Time to reach the station can also be derived.
→It facilitates the accurate separation between two or more A/C based on VOR/DME fix
reported by individual A/C.
→It helps in radar identification when an A/C reports its position in terms of distance &
bearing from a VOR/DME station. E.g. BBB160020.
→Accurate range to touchdown are available to pilot when the transponder is operating in
conjunction with glidepath.

 Accuracy : ICAO Specification for DME is 0.5NM or 3% of Distance.

 Other Useful Information.


→To reduce the effect of reflections, ground station will not reply to another interrogation
for about 60μs.
→The pulse separation spacing is same for all X-channels i.e.12μs for both Interrogator &
Transponder. In case of Y-channels, pulse spacing is 36μs for interrogator & 30μs for
Transponder.
→ DME is subject to Line of Sight reception. An A/C below horizon (out of LOS) will not receive
any signal from ground station. Whenever the A/C DME is not receiving ground signals, it
enters into standby mode & stops transmitting to save electricity and wear & tear on unit.
As soon as an A/C is in range of ground facilities signal, it returns to normal operation and
begins to transmit once again.

 Problem: At 1007, range→27NM,


At 1013, range→36.5NM,
Find Ground speed?
V.L.SINGH’S RTR(A) PRIVATE TUTORIALS
(Email: airdreamer.airbus320@gmail.com , Mo: 08108304735

SYNOPSIS : INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM


Introduction.

 Instrument Landing System is a ground based instrument approach system that assist
pilots to fly along a precise path, defined in three dimensions, during approach to land
on a specific runway using radio guidance signals transmitted by ground signals.
 ILS is very useful when visibility is limited & the pilot cannot see airport & runway.
 It was introduced in 40’s. Though it has been in existence for over 70 years ,it is still
most accurate approach & landing aid that is used by airliners.

Diagram.

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