Integrated distance measuring equipment and transponder system and method

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a combined transponder (XPDR) and distance measuring equipment (DME) system 20 for use in an aircraft formed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an example embodiment, the system 20 is a redundant system that includes a first line replaceable unit (LRU) 22 and a second LRU 24 that are connected to an antenna 26 through an LRU1 / LRU2 switch 28. In an example embodiment, the antenna 26 is an L-band blade antenna. Each LRU 22 and 24 includes an integrated DME and XPDR transceiver system. The first LRU 22 includes a receiving path having a first receiver 30 and a second receiver 32. The first LRU 22 also includes a transmitter 34 linked to a TX / RX switch 36 that selectively connects either the transmitter 34 or the receivers 30 and 32 to a first lead of the LRU1 / LRU2 switch 28.

[0012]In similar fashion, the second LRU 24 includes a receiving path having a first receiver 38 and a second receiver 40. The second LRU 24 also includes a t