Performance of Multi-DME Navigation to support RNP for Arrivals at Select Terminal Areas

Shrivathsan Narayanan, Okuary Osechas, Timothy Geels

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	Airborne navigation today is heavily GNSS-dependent, but increasing GNSS vulnerabilities motivate resilient, terrestrial-based alternatives. This paper will models the achievable integrity performance with the current DME network as a practical APNT candidate capable of supporting RNP arrivals, missed approaches, and departures when GNSS is unavailable. The analysis models aircraft trajectories, screens DME visibility using SRTM 1” DEM, selects the best six visible stations via brute-force geometry, and computes accuracy and integrity using ENU covariance, Monte-Carlo noise propagation, and RB-RAIM HPL. Evaluations across representative U.S. and European procedures—ranging from flat to mountainous terrain—show that multiDME navigation achieves LNAV-level accuracy (? 150–220 m, 95%) and generally meets RNP 1.0 NM, while conservative RB-RAIM sometimes produces HPL exceedances in RNP 0.3 NM segments with limited visibility. Using more realistic DME noise levels (?DME ? 60 m), more advanced RAIM methods, or integrating an INS can significantly improve integrity margins. The results also demonstrate the upper-bound performance achievable in all-in-view configurations, underscoring the potential of enhanced multi-DME avionics for future APNT capability.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2026 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 26 - 29, 2026 Hyatt Regency Orange County Anaheim, California
Pages:	810 - 825
Cite this article:	Narayanan, Shrivathsan, Osechas, Okuary, Geels, Timothy, "Performance of Multi-DME Navigation to support RNP for Arrivals at Select Terminal Areas," Proceedings of the 2026 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Anaheim, California, January 2026, pp. 810-825. https://doi.org/10.33012/2026.20503
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