AT&T and Ericsson Demonstrate Innovative 5G Drone Sensing

AT&T and Ericsson have recently demonstrated drone detection over a 5G network in authorised airspace outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

By using Ericsson technology alongside AT&T network expertise, the partners successfully detected, located and tracked multiple drones. This trial shows how wireless infrastructure can help protect major venues, critical infrastructure and other key locations, by supporting low-altitude threat detection and tracking. 

It also indicates the degree to which some features that will be present in 6G, such as Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), can start to take shape ahead of the standardisation process in 3GPP.

Leveraging existing cellular infrastructure

Using existing cellular towers, Ericsson deployed its Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radios across multiple sites, creating a multi-static sensing configuration. 

During the demonstration, multiple drones flying at altitudes between 300 and 400 feet within the coverage area were successfully detected, localised and continuously tracked in real-time. 

This was made possible by combining sensing-enabled radio transmissions with advanced signal processing and AI-enabled sensing algorithms.

Real-time data and tracking metrics

Through merging observations from multiple synchronised sensing nodes, the system provided enhanced detection reliability, improved positioning accuracy and robust target-tracking performance. 

The sensing technology generated real-time target metrics, including the drone's location, velocity and elevation, enabling comprehensive tracking and monitoring throughout the flight path.

This highlights how existing network infrastructure can be transformed into a distributed sensing platform for drone detection and other applications, without needing additional standalone sensing technology. 

Both companies share the view that capabilities typically associated with 6G can begin taking shape now through software, advanced radios and the continued growth of 5G networks.

“Integrated sensing is an important part of the road to 6G, and this work helps show how we can start bringing that future to life right now,” says Yigal Elbaz, SVP and Network CTO, AT&T. 

“By working with Ericsson, we are exploring how advanced wireless networks can add sensing capabilities to connectivity in ways that could support safer operations, smarter venues and stronger customer experiences, while creating a path to evolve these capabilities responsibly over time.”

The roadmap to future deployment

Together, AT&T and Ericsson will continue bringing their expertise to the evolution of ISAC through future demonstrations and learnings, alongside others helping shape the path toward major event environments, such as the next major global sporting event in Los Angeles in 2028.

“As networks evolve, the opportunity is not just to prepare for 6G someday, but to begin introducing important building blocks now,” says Dyon Agnew, SVP and Head of Customer Unit AT&T, Ericsson Americas. 

“This demonstration with AT&T shows a product roadmap in action: using advanced 5G capabilities today to explore how sensing and connectivity can work together, then evolving those capabilities over time as the path to 6G becomes clearer.”

Over time, AT&T and Ericsson expect that this approach will allow event and facility teams to improve planning and staffing by providing broader visibility into how vehicles move through large environments. 

It will also enhance coordination around temporary event infrastructure and logistics by adding network-based environmental awareness alongside connectivity.

Furthermore, the technology will support a wide-area drone awareness system for public-sector stakeholders, improving visibility into low-altitude drone activity as the low-altitude economy develops across cities and regions. 

Finally, these developments will inform the evolution of future 5G and 6G capabilities as sensing and communications mature together for large venues, enterprises, governments and public-sector environments.