dSPACE Launches 5 GHz Radar Target Simulator
The all-digital DARTS 9050-DG provides expanded bandwidth and software update capabilities for radar sensor validation.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Semiconductors
At European Microwave Week 2026, held in London from 4-9 October, dSPACE introduced the DARTS 9050-DG radar target simulator and showcased its Radar Test Bench Essential 2D platform. These systems are intended for validating automotive radar sensors through simulated targets and interference.
Why it matters
Engineers require increasingly precise radar target simulation and environmental testing to validate sophisticated sensors before deployment in real-world scenarios. By moving to all-digital architectures, testing systems can now support greater bandwidth and flexible software-based updates.
The DARTS 9050-DG delivers 5 GHz of bandwidth across the signal chain and supports the 24 GHz, 60 GHz, and 77 GHz radar frequency bands. By comparison, the DARTS 9040-GT simulator generates two radar targets using 5 GHz bandwidth.
The players
dSPACE
A German technology company that develops simulation and validation tools for the automotive industry, specifically focusing on hardware-in-the-loop testing systems.
The details
The DARTS 9050-DG employs an all-digital architecture, which allows for software-based updates and target generation. The Radar Test Bench Essential 2D platform utilizes a motorized gimbal for precise sensor positioning and an anechoic chamber—a room designed to stop reflections of electromagnetic waves—to inject interference signals into the test environment.
Timeline
European Microwave Week 2026 took place in London from 4-9 October 2026.
The Tech Race
The introduction of the DARTS 9050-DG marks a performance expansion over the existing capabilities of the DARTS 9040-GT. This evolution reflects a broader shift toward all-digital test architectures designed to handle the growing frequency and bandwidth requirements of advanced radar sensors.
Automotive engineers and sensor developers can utilize these testing platforms to validate radar performance before hardware reaches production vehicles. The systems offer a path for software-based updates, allowing labs to adapt to new sensor standards without needing complete hardware overhauls.
The takeaway
Reliable radar validation is essential for the trajectory of automated driving systems. Engineers should monitor for future integration benchmarks between the 5 GHz-capable DARTS hardware and emerging radar sensor chipsets.
Further reading
For more on the hardware driving sensor validation, visit our Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Everythingrf.
