AT&T and Ericsson Demonstrate 5G-Based Drone Detection at Texas Stadium

AT&T and Ericsson demonstrated a drone detection system using advanced network sensing over a 5G network near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The system showed how features commonly expected in future 6G networks can already be applied using existing 5G infrastructure.

The demonstration used Ericsson's Massive MIMO radios across multiple sites, forming a multi-static sensing configuration. By combining sensing-enabled radio transmissions with advanced signal processing and AI-based algorithms, the system detected, located, and tracked multiple drones flying between 300 and 400 feet. The network used the same radio signals for both communication and environmental sensing, allowing continuous tracking of location, velocity, and elevation.

Through synchronization of multiple sensing nodes, the setup improved detection reliability and positioning accuracy. The demonstration illustrated that current cellular infrastructure can function as a distributed sensing platform without the need for dedicated hardware. AT&T and Ericsson said they will continue to advance integrated sensing and communication features as part of the ongoing transition toward 6G systems.

The companies aim to enable practical applications such as low-altitude threat detection and enhanced venue security while preparing for future deployments at large-scale events.