5G Network-Based Passive Radar

This article presents the pioneering results of successful target detection using a fully operational and cooperative 5G cellular network as a source of illumination in a passive radar system. The electromagnetic wave generated by the real-life base station allowed for remote sensing of a moving car in bistatic geometry, which shows the feasibility of passive radar in which new generation radio networks serve as an illuminator of opportunity. This article describes passive radar principles, the theoretical fundamentals of the 5G signal structure, and the proposed processing for 5G network-based passive radar. Also, the 5G passive radar demonstrator is described, and the trial results show the possibilities and limitations of using new radio standards in the context of passive radars.