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From connectivity to situational awareness

Transforming networks into sensing platforms for resilient, wide-area situational awareness for defense and national security

Drone detection with ISAC

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) expands the role of networks beyond communication. By combining sensing with AI-powered network intelligence, it delivers real-time high-precision positioning and a deeper understanding of the physical environment. The journey starts with 5G and evolves toward 6G-native capabilities and IMT-2030.

Case

A new layer of situational awareness

ISAC extends mobile networks beyond connectivity, enabling them to detect, track, and understand the physical environment in real time.

By analyzing reflections of radio signals with advanced data processing and AI, ISAC delivers real-time situational awareness of drones and other moving objects, even when they are not connected or transmitting signals. The result is an intelligent sensing network that supports defense and national security operations at scale.

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Turning radio signals into real-world insight

ISAC analyzes how radio signals reflect off objects across a distributed sensing network. Advanced analytics, sensor fusion, and AI turn those signals into a real-time view of the surrounding environment, enabling the network to: 

  • Detect drones
  • Determine position, speed, and direction with high precision
  • Track activity consistently across large areas

By deploying sensing across multiple sites, the network becomes a distributed, multi-point sensing system, improving detection reliability, positioning accuracy, and tracking consistency over large areas.

Sensing on a network-wide scale

By embedding sensing into existing mobile infrastructure, ISAC enables large-scale environmental awareness. It adds new capabilities for intelligent, mission-critical operations without requiring the deployment of costly standalone systems. This delivers: 

Nationwide scale

Use existing mobile network site grid to enable sensing across cities, infrastructure, and large geographic areas.

Infrastructure reuse

Build on existing network deployments and reduce the need for standalone sensing systems.

Persistent, wide-area awareness

Enable continuous and precise monitoring and tracking across entire operational environments.

Detection without connectivity

Detect drones and moving objects even when they are not transmitting signals.

Resilient by design

Ensure high system survivability by eliminating single points of failure.

Embedded AI

Enable context-aware and adaptive network operations.                             

Where sensing meets real-world operations

From comprehensive nationwide airspace monitoring to localized perimeter protection, ISAC provides real-time awareness for defense, national security, and critical infrastructure. Ericsson transforms these capabilities into scalable sensing solutions that enhance safety, intelligence, and resilience in real-world operations.

Drone detection and airspace awareness

Detect and track drones and other airborne objects, even when they are not connected or transmitting signals. ISAC delivers wide-area situational awareness across low-altitude airspace and supports:

  • Detection of low-altitude and low-RCS drones 
  • Identification of objects with no electronic signature
  • Monitoring of restricted or sensitive areas
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Perimeter protection at scale

Monitor large, complex environments, from airports and borders to military and critical infrastructure sites. ISAC supports:

  • Early detection of movement and potential intrusion
  • Real-time situational awareness for mission-critical environments
  • Scalable protection over wide geographic areas

Toward 6G and IMT-2030

Evolving networks toward intelligent sensing

ISAC plays a vital role in advancing defense networks. As the industry moves towards 6G and IMT-2030, sensing will become integral, enabling networks to both communicate and interpret their surroundings. With a clear path from 5G deployments today to 6G-native capabilities, ISAC positions mobile networks as a strategic asset for defense and national security.

Further reading

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Explore "The network as a sensor"

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Explore Digital Airspace and mission-critical connectivity

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Read “Sensing in 6G: Use cases and architecture”

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Learn more about Integrated Sensing and Communication