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

Julia Beuster; Carsten Andrich; Sebastian Giehl; Marc Miranda; Lorenz Mohr; Dieter Novotny; Tom Kaufmann; Christian Schneider; Reiner S. Thomä

doi:10.1109/wsa65299.2025.11202781

arXiv · 2506.00624

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

Julia Beuster·Carsten Andrich·Sebastian Giehl·Marc Miranda·Lorenz Mohr·Dieter Novotny·Tom Kaufmann·Christian Schneider·Reiner S. Thomä

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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.

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BibTeX RIS

Julia Beuster, Carsten Andrich, Sebastian Giehl, Marc Miranda, Lorenz Mohr, Dieter Novotny, Tom Kaufmann, Christian Schneider, Reiner S. Thomä. 2025-08-26. Real-Time Sounding in ISAC networks: Design and Implementation of a Multi-Node Testbed with Synchronized Airborne and Ground-Based Sensors. https://doi.org/10.1109/wsa65299.2025.11202781

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