RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Motion Sensor for Arduino Test and Review

keving — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 15:33:31 +0000

RCWL-0516 Sensor Test & Review

The RCWL-0516 microwave radar motion sensor module is a low cost sensor that has been newly added to ICSTATION inventory. There is quite a lack of information on the module online, at least not that I could find, so I’m compiling what I could find and posting it all here in this article.

Distance Test

RCWL-O516 Arduino Circuit

RCWL-0516 Arduino Uno Circuit

We only use 3 of the 5 header pins in this project.

3V3
GND – [connects to ground]
OUT [connects to digital input]
VIN – [connects to 5v]
CDS

The 0516 is a flexible module that can easily be used in conjunction with many MCU’s and even without a microcontroller at all. It can handle anywhere from 4v-28v in, which it then converts and outputs 3.3v to the 3V3 pin. This pin can be utilized for a multitude of tasks, such as an LED to indicate power, or even to supply power to a mini 3v based MCU.

Change the resistor value to decrease sensitivity. I have a 220Ω resistor in the circuit which shouldn’t impede the sensitivity too drastically, I’ll play around with some other values and update with my findings.

RCWL-O516 Arduino Sketch

Click to enlarge

int ip = 8; int val = 0; int led = 13;


void setup() {

  Serial.begin(9600);

  pinMode (ip, INPUT);

  pinMode (led, OUTPUT);

}
void loop() {

  val = digitalRead(ip);

  Serial.println(val, DEC);

  if(val >0)

  {

    digitalWrite(led, HIGH);

  }

  else

  {

    digitalWrite(led, LOW);

  }

  delay(1000);

}

To make the reaction time faster you can reduce the delay time from 1000 to something like 100. This will also allow the sensor to pick up smaller movements. Conversely you can increase the delay to help keep small movements from triggering (this is a simple but not perfect way of accomplishing this effect), and make the circuit conserve more power.

Disclaimer: I could not find an official datasheet on this module, so I’ve had to make some guesses here. I’m not responsible for any damage this could cause to your Arduino or sensor module! If you choose to try this yourself, don’t blame me when you spontaneously combust!

For even more info check out the git by Joe on it here which is still in the works (as of jan 2107) but it looks like he’s keeping it up to date with new findings: https://github.com/jdesbonnet/RCWL-0516/

The post RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Motion Sensor for Arduino Test and Review appeared first on Kevin Gulling - Game Development, VR, and more.

rcwl-0516 – Kevin Gulling

RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Motion Sensor for Arduino Test and Review

RCWL-0516 Sensor Test & Review

Distance Test

RCWL-O516 Arduino Circuit

RCWL-O516 Arduino Sketch