5G Network-Based Passive Radar for Drone Detection

This paper presents the results of drone detection using a 5G-based passive radar. The signal in the 5G network is characterized by variable resource allocation (bandwidth and duration). Therefore, the ability to detect targets using the signal transmitted by the 5G base station depends on the transmitted signal time and bandwidth occupancy. This paper shows the possibility of detecting drone targets characterized by low radar cross-section (RCS) using an algorithm that identifies a sufficient load of 5G network resources. The concept has been validated by performing a real experiment with a drone and a cooperative 5G network as a source of illumination. The results are presented in this paper.