The Ericsson ISAC System has been introduced by Ericsson to detect and track low-flying objects across wide areas using mobile network infrastructure. The solution adds sensing functionality to current cellular setups, helping defense agencies, public safety officials, and critical infrastructure managers monitor moving targets that are not connected to the network.
Small aerial vehicles present emerging operational difficulties for perimeter security and public safety. Because these aircraft fly at low altitudes and carry small radar cross-sections, traditional surveillance tools face difficulties tracking them over broad territories without costly hardware investments. Consequently, turning standard cellular infrastructure into a distributed detection grid addresses this coverage void.
Architecture of the Ericsson ISAC System
The technology functions as a multi-static sensing array that tracks objects by analyzing radio reflections across geographic areas. Rather than relying on a single transmitter and receiver, sensing signals are transmitted and received across multiple physical cellular sites. This geometric arrangement inspects aerial targets from several positions simultaneously, boosting detection accuracy and track reliability.
Through this architecture, the Ericsson ISAC System uses existing telecommunications assets including antenna towers, backhaul connections, and spectrum. The system processes radio reflections using edge computing and artificial intelligence models to classify moving targets. The resulting tracking data moves through standardized interfaces directly into external command and control platforms, giving security personnel a detailed situational map.
Field Demonstrations and Test Results
During initial live demonstrations, the Ericsson ISAC System successfully located micro drones at kilometer-scale distances with three-dimensional positioning coordinates. Testing across different operational environments confirmed that target size, flight altitude, and terrain geometry influence exact performance metrics.
Field trials conducted in Arlington, Texas, alongside AT&T displayed real-time smart devices tracking on specialized monitoring dashboards. A separate test in Helsinki with Erillisverkot confirmed that multiple cellular sites can track drones simultaneously to aid counter-unmanned aviation operations. In Poland, trials with Play and Asseco merged cellular sensing with acoustic detection tools to verify low-altitude airspace monitoring.
“Low-flying drones create a detection coverage gap that no single sensor can effectively address. Ericsson ISAC System enables multiple 5G sites to deliver coordinated wide-area detection and continuous tracking, with data that can be integrated with traditional sensing technologies and operational systems.”
Freddie Södergren, Global Head of Mission Critical Networks and Defense, Ericsson
Industrial and Defense Applications
The deployment of network-based sensing supports multiple sectors requiring reliable aerial surveillance. In the defense realm, authorities can monitor international borders, coastline perimeters, and sensitive facilities. Meanwhile, industrial operators can protect transport hubs, electrical power plants, and maritime shipping ports from unauthorised incursions.
The technology also applies directly to low-altitude airspace management and urban logistics. Municipal planners can use real-time flight paths to structure digital twins and manage commercial delivery corridors safely. In addition, integration with external cybersecurity monitoring platforms ensures that incoming telemetry remains secured against interception.
Commercial Rollout Schedule
Ericsson plans to introduce the sensing system commercially through a phased delivery roadmap. Initial small-scale commercial pilots focused strictly on sensing will start with selected clients in 2027. Broader commercial installations are scheduled to follow in 2028, while integrated communication functions will arrive as network standards advance toward 6G platforms.
