DEMETER - Navigation Infrastructure Assessment Tool

Latest Update for Current Users

Version 1.0.4 of the new DEMETER was just released. It resolves a number of issues experienced by users and adds a few new capabilities.

These are described below under "Latest version available".


New DEMETER: 2010 Open Source Release OVERVIEW
 
DEMETER Overview V1

DEMETER (Distance Measuring Equipment Tracer) is a software tool that has just completed a major update. It supports the implementation of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and the rationalization of navigation infrastructure. It allows service providers to determine the minimum navigation infrastructure needed to support B-RNAV (or RNAV-5, by looking at VOR/DME) and P-RNAV (or RNAV-1, by looking at DME/DME navigation service). DEMETER uses a terrain database to determine facility coverage and processes the results by evaluating RNAV criteria according to the ICAO PBN Manual. Digital Terrain Elevation Data Levels 0, 1 and 2 can be processed.

After an upgrade project of 2 years in coordination with stakeholders, DEMETER has been extended with a specific focus to integrate implementation processes. It allows the visualization of simulation results in the context of operational requirements that are set by airspace planners, and supports the planning of flight inspection. Flight inspection planning within DEMETER ensures that only the minimum set of DME need to be inspected. Any existing data can be collected on a single platform. Flexible interfaces allow importing flight inspection results to enable direct comparison between simulation and flight inspection. Thus the software enables the cooperation needed between airspace planners, procedure designers, navaids engineers and flight inspectors. Furthermore, a navaids database allows exchanging key technical data (not normally contained in AIPs) in a common format between Eurocontrol and ANSP stakeholders.

The new version of DEMETER ensures harmonized implementation in accordance with the EUROCONTROL guidelines on P-RNAV infrastructure assessment (EUROCONTROL-GUID-0114), which have been developed in cooperation with the ICAO Navigation Systems Panel (NSP). DEMETER will be used by PBN Implementers as well as SESAR projects, the latter with a view to establish DME-DME positioning as a continuous ground based back-up solution to GNSS.

List of DEMETER Features:

• The new version of DEMETER was developed using uDig (User-friendly Desktop Internet GIS), an open source Geographical Information System platform. 
• NavAid database for VOR, DME, VOR-DME, TACAN, VORTAC and NDB. The database can be updated from both EAD and ARINC424 data files. 
• High quality terrain database supporting GTOPO30 and DTED levels 0, 1 and 2. Best quality data available in the database is selected by the application and used for calculations. DEMETER comes with GTOPO30 and DTED level 0 data for ECAC. 
• Possibility to visualise the terrain configuration in 3D using NASA WorldWind (open source application). Both DEMETER terrain database and NASA WorldWind terrain database can be used (internet connection required to connect to NASA WorldWind database). 
• DME-DME coverage and performance assessment (available pairs, subtended angle, redundancy, and Navigation System Error-NSE). 
• VOR-DME coverage and redundancy assessment. 
• Procedure definition using pre-defined ICAO identifiers, or user-defined positions. 
• Procedure performance calculation giving the DME-DME subtended angle values (worst value and centre line value) along the procedure. The calculation takes into account the procedure width, the aircraft velocity and the 30 seconds rule. 
• Procedure coverage in vertical profile (by individual NavAids). 
• Procedure coverage report showing available DME pairs along the procedure. This feature supports the planning of Flight Inspections for defined procedures. 
• Flight inspection data import function that allows the display of measured parameters and comparison of predicted and achieved coverage. 
• Estimation of best location for a new DME site that together with the existing navigation infrastructure is to improve the DME-DME signal coverage in a designated area of interest.
• Import of user layers in shapefile format.
• Import and display of route segments from EAD SDO reports converted to CSV format. New procedure definition based on imported route segments.
• Import of vertex points from EAD SDO reports converted to CSV format.

Latest version available: DEMETER v1.0.4

DEMETER 1.0.4 what's new:

• World countries static layer.
• User folders capability and import of external shapefiles.
• Route Segments EAD CSV import.
• Route filter by altitude.
• Procedures creation based on imported route segments.
• Vertex EAD CSV import.
• Vertex creation based on imported vertex EAD file.
• Cone Of Silence default value.
• Results layer are identified with a 5 character code input by the user.
• Identify on Procedures and Flight Inspections.
• DEMETER Logs collector.
• DEMETER Configurator.

List of bug fixes and improvements on DEMETER v1.0.4:

• Memory allocation improvement and DEMETER memory parameters adjustment in setup process.
• Import Flight Inspections with multiple inspections and empty lines inside flight inspections CSV.
• Saved results improvement process and saved results folder management improvement.
• User defined coordinate point layer is not cleared at startup.
• Manual insertion of facility elevation automatic elevations corrected.
• Redefinition and clarification of the messages in coordinate point editing errors and warnings.
• Delete key error window prevention.
• EAD OrgUID default XML file.

How to Obtain DEMETER

Relevant EUROCONTROL stakeholders may obtain DEMETER and associated technical documentation free of charge by contacting EUROCONTROL:

Email DEMETER Contact Point

Note: interested parties outside of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) area may also request to obtain DEMETER. The tool may be provided on a no-support basis. Such users may need to import their own terrain and navigation aid data using the interfaces described above. DEMETER functions work globally.