ISAC and S1/NG Signalling: Why Identity-Native Detection Must Lead in 5G and 6G
As networks progress toward 5G Advanced and 6G, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) introduces powerful new capabilities for detecting airborne objects. However, in the case of cellular-controlled drones, control plane signalling analysis remains the decisive detection method. Unlike sensing, signalling provides persistent network identity, observable mobility behaviour and continuity over time, enabling drones to be detected and tracked even without physical visibility. While ISAC strengthens situational awareness by confirming the presence of an object in the air, it does not reveal who is controlling it. A robust architecture therefore places signalling at the core of detection and attribution, with ISAC acting as a complementary corroboration layer.
