Air traffic surveillance method using an existing network of DME navigation system

The goal of the paper is to present a new method developed to provide a surveillance of the air space. It detects and finally determines location of air vehicles which are currently using RNAV DME-DME method to measure their own positions. By processing signals between an air vehicle and ground based DME beacon the observer is able to determine current distance between an aircraft and the beacon. This effectively changes the role of the DME from a navigation aid (an aircraft determining its own position) to a surveillance aid (an observer determining the position of a DME-equipped aircraft). There is no need for other systems or signals, and the detection and localization of the target can be done from a single point (the observer).