Swedish equipment maker Ericsson is working with Polish mobile carrier Play and software firm Asseco to trial a drone detection capability built on Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology. The trial demonstrates how the approach can identify and monitor unauthorised drones operating across Polish territory.
Ericsson's ISAC system relies on radio signals reflected from objects in the environment to spot drones, including those not connected to any cellular network. The technology simultaneously determines where drones are positioned and how they move through airspace.
The demonstration merged Ericsson's ISAC capability with acoustic detection tools supplied by Asseco. Play's cellular infrastructure provided the data transport layer, with results fed into Asseco's PUSZCZYK platform—a display system allowing operators to monitor drone activity in real time.
Martin Mellor, Ericsson's Poland chief, stated: "Together with Asseco and using Play's mobile network for the backhaul, we can create an advanced, situational awareness platform for drone detection and tracking. We are proud to work together to show how this can look in real life, protecting critical infrastructure in Poland."
Michał Ziółkowski, chief technology officer and management board member at Play, remarked: "Today, a modern telecommunications network is far more than a communication tool. It is a strategic and critical infrastructure asset that serves as a foundation for economic growth, digital transformation and, crucially, the security of the state and its citizens. Thanks to its scale, availability and resilience, the Play network can support the development of advanced monitoring and airspace protection systems by leveraging existing infrastructure and resources."
Grzegorz Bartler, vice president at Asseco Poland, added: "With a powerful combination of technologies and detection methods integrated into our PUSZCZYK platform, we can gather a rich set of data to see what is happening in our airspace. This is crucial for protecting sensitive areas and critical infrastructure."
