1. A device and a method for the improved directional 
estimation and decoding by means of secondary 
radar signals. 2.1 Radio-based positioning systems on the basis of secondary 
radar signals are known. For this purpose special 
receiver systems are utilized for estimating the direction, and special 
receiver systems are utilized for decoding secondary 
radar signals. In particular, a secondary radar 
system is absent, which, among others, takes into consideration any shortcomings of the hardware used, such as coupled antenna elements, different low-end impedances, deviating distances between the antenna elements, manufacturing and installation tolerances, and the like. 2.2 The device for directional 
estimation and / or decoding secondary 
radar signals according to the invention comprises the following: - at least one array A comprising M antenna elements AE - an 
amplifier LNA and bandpass filter F 1 combination connected to a plug-in connector S of the respective 
antenna element AE, at the filter output of said combination a first 
linear amplifier V 1 being connected for amplifying the band-limited 
signal, - a mixer M connected to the first 
linear amplifier V l for the 
frequency conversion into a ZF region, - a second 
linear amplifier V2 and bandpass filter F2 combination connected to the mixer output for amplifying and limiting the bandwidth of the 
signal in the ZF region, - a first analog-to-
digital converter AD1 connected to the second bandpass filter F2 for scanning and quantifying the filter output 
signal. 2.3 The invention is within the field of secondary 
radar systems.