Modeling DME interference impact on LDACS1

Abstract

LDACS1 is a candidate for the future digital aeronautical communications system in L-band. As unused spectrum is very scarce in the L-band, LDACS1 pursues the approach to make use of the gaps between adjacent channels used by the distance measuring equipment (DME). This DME signal has a severe influence on the performance of LDACS1. In this paper, an algorithm for modeling the DME impact on LDACS1 is presented. This enables to determine whether LDACS1 can cope with DME interference for a certain area and channel frequency. The performance evaluation is based only on the positions, pulse rates, and transmit frequencies of the DME stations, without carrying out extensive simulation. Results for Europe indicate that a reliable operation of LDACS1 can be achieved.