Method and system for operating an IFF/SSR antenna

A method of operating an antenna system (10), wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• providing the antenna system (10) comprising:
• a main antenna (20), configured to at least transmit electromagnetic waves,
• an auxiliary antenna (30) configured to at least transmit electromagnetic waves,
• a first channel interface (41) configured to at least receive an electromagnetic waveform provided from the signal processing device (90) when the antenna system (10) is transmitting via a first transmission channel,
• a second channel interface (42), configured to at least receive an electromagnetic waveform provided from the signal processing device (90) when the antenna system (10) is transmitting via a second transmission channel,
• a first switch (60), configured to be set in a first operation mode and a second operation mode, wherein:
• (a) when set in the first operation mode the first switch (60) is configured to set the second channel interface (42) in connection to the auxiliary antenna (30), and (b) when set in the second operation mode the first switch (60) is configured to set the second channel interface (42) in connection to the main antenna (20), and
• a transmission input means (61) comprising either a detector (61a) or a transmission input means (61b), the detector being configured to provide information to the first switch (60) when transmission in the first transmission channel is detected, the transmission input means being configured to provide information to the first switch (60) when input information from a signal processing device (90) is received,
• applying the transmission input means (61), and
• if transmission via the first transmission channel is expected, setting the first switch (60) in the first operation mode,
• either:
• if the transmission input means (61a) is the detector, setting the first switch (60) in the first operation mode when the transmission is detected and setting the first switch (60) in the second operation mode absent detection of the transmission;
• or
• if the transmission input means (61) is the transmission input means (61b), setting the first switch (60) in the first operation mode when the input information is received and setting the first switch (60) in the second operation mode absent receipt of the input information.