Real-Time Sounding in ISAC networks: Design and Implementation of a Multi-Node Testbed with Synchronized Airborne and Ground-Based Sensors

TL;DR

This paper presents a synchronized multi-node testbed with airborne and ground sensors for real-time sounding in ISAC networks, enabling advanced detection and localization in 6G scenarios.

Contribution

It introduces a modular, reproducible testbed with COTS hardware for multi-static radar sensing in ISAC networks, including airborne and ground nodes with centimeter accuracy.

Findings

Validated through real-world measurement campaigns

Demonstrated detection of various radar targets

Achieved centimeter-level positioning accuracy

Abstract

As integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) capabilities become more prevalent in the mobile 6G radio landscape, there is a substantial opportunity to enhance situational awareness across diverse applications through multi-static radar sensing within meshed ISAC networks. To facilitate the development and testing of detection and localization algorithms across diverse scenarios, this paper introduces a synchronized distributed channel sounding testbed with airborne and ground-based multi-channel transceiver nodes with centimeter-level positioning accuracy enabled by real-time kinematic (RTK) and inertial navigation system (INS) data. Our modular experimental measurement system is designed to include stationary sensor nodes and light-weight to medium-weight mobile nodes deployable on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. Utilizing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, specifically software defined radios (SDRs), the testbed encourages reproducibility in academic research laboratories. We detail the individual modules and integration steps required to achieve the specified performance. The testbed's capabilities are validated through a real-world measurement campaign, including stationary and flying sensor nodes, aimed at detecting radar targets such as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircrafts, small hexacopters, cars and vulnerable road users (VRUs) in air-to-air (A2A) and air-to-ground (A2G) scenarios.