- Ericsson is moving ISAC from the lab to the product stage – and it isn't waiting for 6G to do it
- The system uses existing 5G towers, backhaul and spectrum to track drones
- Defense, public safety and critical infrastructure are early targets, with commercial pilots set to begin in 2027
Ericsson is ready to roll with its Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology with today’s formal introduction of the Ericsson ISAC System.
The company spent considerable time testing the technology, which at times has been held up as a poster child for 6G, but operators like AT&T are pressing to use ISAC on 5G networks. It just so happens, Ericsson’s ISAC System uses parts of the 5G mobile network infrastructure to deliver the goods.
One use case often associated with ISAC is drone detection. Ericsson has already conducted several ISAC drone trials with operators, including AT&T in the U.S., Erillisverkot in Finland and Play in Poland.
Industries most likely to be interested in adopting ISAC technology are defense, public safety and critical infrastructure, where ISAC can be used to help in the detection and tracking of mobile objects – even when they’re not connected to the network.
Why the need? Ericsson explains that small, low-cost drones are increasingly being used for unlawful surveillance, organized crime, sabotage and warfare. Their size and low altitudes can make these rogue drones difficult to detect, creating all kinds of problems for national security, critical infrastructure protection and public safety. s
Enter Ericsson’s ISAC System, which closes the low-altitude, wide-area detection gap by transforming the mobile network into a “new layer of situational awareness,” the vendor explains. Using sensing-capable 5G radios, edge computing, AI and signal processing, the system detects objects that are not connected to the network and tracks them across the coverage area, complementing existing radar and other sensors rather than replacing them.
Ericsson validates the system
In Ericsson’s tests, the system reliably detected and tracked micro drones at kilometer-scale distances with precise 3D positioning. “Testing demonstrated consistent detection and tracking across a range of operating conditions, system configurations and drone flight patterns,” the company said.
Actual performance depends on factors like the flight profile and characteristics of the target, sensing geometry, terrain and surrounding environment, as well as system configuration.
Earlier this year, Ericsson and AT&T demonstrated network sensing capabilities by locating and identifying friendly drones near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The proof-of-concept demonstration used sensor data from three towers near the stadium to help detect the position of the drones.
What’s next for Ericsson ISAC
Ericsson said the commercial introduction of its ISAC solution will take place in phases, beginning with small-scale, sensing-only commercial pilots with select customers in 2027.
Broader-scale deployments will follow starting in 2028. The integrated communications capability will be added as the solution evolves toward 6G.
Read more about Ericsson and ISAC on Fierce Network:
ISAC POC targets public safety use cases with drone defense