DualSense: A Testbed for Dual-Band (ISM and 5G FR2) ISAC Leveraging Dual-Polarized Phased Arrays

The relative proximity of the 24GHz ISM band and the 5G FR2 band offers promising opportunities for Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) operations leveraging directional transmission/reception capabilities of phased arrays. To explore this opportunity, we present DualSense, a testbed that comprises (a) state-of-the art programmable dual-polarized phased array modules that covers both the 24GHz ISM band and the 24.25-26 GHz portion of the 5G FR2 band, (b) a wide band SDR, and (c) FPGA and PC for computation and orchestration. The testbed enables simultaneous radar (FMCW and OFDM) and communication operations using shared antenna and signal processing hardware, leading to improved ISAC efficiency. Our experimental results include monostatic 3D-radar images obtained in one polarization (using either FMCW waveforms in the 24GHz ISM band or 5G-compliant OFDM waveforms in the FR2 band) while 5G synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) are being transmitted and received in multiple directions in the opposite polarization.