Ericsson demonstrated Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) with a live drone detection proof of concept at its U.S. headquarters in Plano, using 5G massive-MIMO radios to track unmanned aerial vehicles in surrounding airspace. The demonstration showed how a commercial mobile network can detect and localize passive objects—devices not connected to the network—by analyzing reflected radio signals. The trial marks a step toward embedding sensing functions directly into cellular infrastructure as part of the 6G evolution.
ISAC integrates sensing and spatial awareness into the radio access network, extending functionality beyond connectivity. Rather than relying solely on dedicated radar or localized sensors, the approach uses existing spectrum, radio sites, and baseband hardware to detect movement and characterize objects across a wide area. Studies on ISAC have started within 3GPP under Release 19 and are expected to inform early 6G specifications, positioning sensing as a native network capability alongside communications.
During the demonstration, Ericsson engineers highlighted use cases including UAV detection, airspace safety, transportation assistance, industrial automation, and worker protection. The company said wide-area network sensing can augment localized systems by providing broader situational awareness and the ability to detect objects beyond line-of-sight constraints. Ericsson employs more than 6,000 people in the U.S. and operates 12 R&D centers focused on AI, ASIC design, and antenna systems, with domestic manufacturing at its 300,000-square-foot (approximately 27,900 square meters) 5G Smart Factory in Lewisville, Texas.
• Drone detection using 5G massive-MIMO radios and existing spectrum
• Network-based sensing of passive, non-connected objects
• Reuse of deployed radio sites and hardware for scalable coverage
• 3GPP Release 19 studies underway as a precursor to 6G standardization
• Target use cases: public safety, defense, automotive, industrial protection
“Today, we showed how ISAC can unlock a new class of applications – from safer skies to smarter cities – by introducing a powerful new sensing platform as an added layer to the existing telecom network,” said Yossi Cohen, President and CEO of Ericsson Americas.
🌐 Analysis: Ericsson’s ISAC demonstration aligns with a broader industry push to define sensing as a core 6G feature, with parallel research underway across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. By validating drone detection on commercial-grade 5G infrastructure, Ericsson positions itself to influence 3GPP Release 19 discussions and future spectrum policy debates tied to dual-use communications and sensing architectures. Competitors including Nokia and several academic-led 6G consortia have also advanced joint communications-and-sensing research, but large-scale field validation on live network infrastructure remains an early-stage differentiator.
