6G ISAC - Turning Network Coverage Into Revenue

Integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) turns existing mobile networks into sensing assets, with no new towers needed. This video explains the business case for ISAC, the testing challenges that come with it, and how the Keysight S8808A ISAC Channel Emulation Toolset helps validate ISAC performance in the lab

ISAC's foundation is already built into the 3GPP standards, and operators are looking for new revenue beyond 5G and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Companies that establish themselves early in this market are positioned to stay strong through the whole 6G era, and the window to do so is limited.

The main obstacle is ISAC testing. Field testing for sensing means flying real drones and controlling distance and velocity precisely, while weather and other conditions keep changing, so results are hard to repeat. Building a dedicated anechoic chamber is another option, but it is costly and takes months to set up.

The Keysight approach moves the test into the lab using a digital twin. GCM software builds a virtual copy of the environment and the targets to be detected. The PROPSIM channel emulator then runs that model in real time, supporting hundreds of targets in a repeatable setup. Engineers can test sensing scenarios on demand, without drones, weather dependency or a custom chamber.

Several factors set the solution apart. It builds on the installed base of Keysight channel emulators that customers already use. It draws on decades of propagation modeling expertise and is offered at the price point customers expect. Every operator and network vendor developing ISAC needs this kind of validation, which makes it a new revenue opportunity.

One platform scales to cover ISAC test needs. Support for NTN and satellite scenarios is a forward-looking direction beyond terrestrial networks. Customers do not start from scratch, because the solution builds on the same networks and test tools they already know.

This video is relevant for network operators, network equipment vendors, device makers, and R&D and business leaders planning ISAC and 6G test strategies.