So I am looking to get precense detection in my living room. I think I want mmwave as I do want to detect people that are sitting on the couch for example. And I saw most don’t have a large distance and angle as my living room/kitchen is 8m by 12m(in an L shape) so most with a 4-6m detection distance are not enough. Also regarding the price I am looking at esphome with a hi-link sensor. But I would like to get some recommendations if I should get a LD2420 or LD2410. Some say the 2420 can’t detect a stationary target but the 2410 has less range(6m vs 8m). So I thought place 2 LD2420’s for 120 degree 8m coverage in the corner of the L with a esp8266. Would this work for stationary targets? (it doesn’t have to be able to differentiate between the two just not be like a infrared motion sensor). Also if you have done this and have found problems or something to share please do so. Thanks for your sharing experience with one or both of the sensors and your knowledge about this topic.
I’ve been messing around with the MR60FDA1 60GHz mmWave detector in esphome and Home Assistant. Unfortunately it has the same 6m range and 60° field of view you’re looking to get around.
I will say, though, that within range the sensor is quite responsive, and detects static presents quite well. The high frequency gives it sufficient resolution to detect micro movements like fidgeting, looking around or even breathing. My module has fall detection on board, purportedly to sense if a detected person is standing or laying down. Another version supposedly can detect respiration and heartbeet within a couple of meters.
The good thing about 60Ghz is they tend not to interfere with each other, so several units could be arranged with overlapping fields of view.
I’m pairing mine with a PIR module for rapid detection, and to help eliminate false positives on radar hits since radar can see through walls, and doesn’t necessarily expose the distance to the target in esphome.
The 24GHz models have a longer range up to 12m and may have 360° fields of view, but have lower resolution and ranging for micro motions. In the US, they are being phased out for potential interference with aviation though I can’t speak for other countries.
Andreas Speiss posted a good video on YouTube that covered a bunch of different models (link below) that I thought was informative. It will.lead you to some other similar content that might help you to assess your needs and match a product to your application.
Andreas Speiss - Radar Sensors from $3 to over $100: Which is Best?
https://youtube.com/watch?v=s-GzUTyIH9c
I looked further into my assertion that 24GHz radar was being phased out, since something was bothering me about it. It seems 24 GHz Ultra Wide Band (UWB) applications are no longer approved, but 24GHz Industrial, Scientific & Medical (ISM) applications are still approved. Home use of 24GHz radar would be considered ISM, so there is probably no restriction on its use.
Sorry for any confusion…
Interference never though about that good to know might go 60ghz then and get 3 for 180 degree coverage. Also they can look through walls? Also trough wood or concrete or only the american paper walls? As this would be amazing for my hallway where there is a staircase kind of in the way.
Also what do you mean by fast detection are the radars not enough for someone walking by?