DME is an equipment that allows an aircraft to measure its distance from a ground station. It works by sending a radio signal to the DME station and measuring the time it takes for the signal to return. This precise distance helps the pilot position the aircraft and plan the stages of an approach or flight. In a GNSS context, DME still serves as a complementary navigation aid and as redundancy in case of satellite signal loss. DMEs can interfere with GNSS signals in the L5 band.
Related terms:
GNSS
ILS
