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.