![\"MicroPython](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-ESP32-ESP8266-Micropython.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWe have similar tutorials using Arduino IDE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- ESP32 with RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor (Arduino IDE)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ESP8266 NodeMCU with RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor (Arduino IDE)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout this tutorial, we\u2019ll cover the following contents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Introducing the RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor Pinout<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor vs PIR Motion Sensor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wiring the RCWL-0516 sensor to the ESP32\/ESP8266<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- RCWL-0516 with ESP32 and ESP8266 MicroPython Code<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Prerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To follow this tutorial you need MicroPython firmware installed in your ESP32 or ESP8266 boards. You also need an IDE to write and upload the code to your board. We suggest using Thonny IDE or uPyCraft IDE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Thonny IDE:\n
- \n
- Installing and getting started with Thonny IDE<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flashing MicroPython Firmware with esptool.py<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- uPyCraft IDE:\n
- \n
- Getting Started with uPyCraft IDE<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Install uPyCraft IDE (Windows<\/a>, Mac OS X<\/a>, Linux<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flash\/Upload MicroPython Firmware to ESP32 and ESP8266<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about MicroPython: MicroPython Programming with ESP32 and ESP8266<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introducing the RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"Introducing](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-sensor.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe RCWL-0516 is a small, inexpensive sensor that uses microwave radar to detect the presence of moving objects. The sensor works by emitting a beam of microwaves and then detecting the Doppler shift in the reflected waves as objects move past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually, these sensors are sold as a pack of five and don’t come with header pins. So, you may need to get header pins separately and then solder them yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"RCWL-0516](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-sensors.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhere to Buy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can check the following link on Maker Advisor and compare the price in different stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
You can use the preceding links or go directly to MakerAdvisor.com\/tools<\/a> to find all the parts for your projects at the best price!<\/p>
![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/header-200.png?w=1200&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow does it work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The RCWL-0516 sensor has a built-in oscillator that generates a microwave signal at a frequency of 3.18 GHz. The sensor then sends out this signal in a 360-degree pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When an object moves within the sensor’s range, the reflected waves are picked up by the sensor’s receiver. The receiver then measures the frequency of the reflected waves and compares it to the frequency of the original signal. If the frequency of the reflected waves has changed, the sensor knows that an object has moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The RCWL-0516 sensor has a single output pin that goes HIGH when it detects movement. It outputs LOW when no motion is detected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RCWL-0516 Sensor Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The RCWL-0516 has a detection range of up to 7 meters and can detect objects moving at speeds of up to 2 meters per second. It also has a built-in adjustable delay time, which can be used to prevent the sensor from triggering repeatedly on the same object.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"RCWL-0516](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-sensor-breadboard.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNote: even though it mentions a detection range of up to 7 meters, I couldn’t get those results with my setup. However, I got very good feedback from some of our readers about this sensor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s a summary of some of the key features of the RCWL-0516 sensor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Uses microwave radar to detect moving objects<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Detection range of up to 7 meters<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Can detect objects moving at speeds of up to 2 meters per second<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Built-in adjustable delay time<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Low power consumption<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Inexpensive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
RCWL-0516 sensor specifications<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Supply voltage<\/strong>: 4\u201328 VDC<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Operating frequency<\/strong>: 3.18 GHz<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sensing distance<\/strong>: 5\u20137 m<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Output level<\/strong>: 3.4V High <0.7 Low<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Output drive<\/strong>: 100mA<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Output timing<\/strong>: 2 second retrigger with motion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can get more information about the sensor on the following GitHub page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- RCWL-0516 Github page<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Optional Light Depend Resistor (LDR) Sensor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The sensor comes with the option to solder a light-depend resistor (light sensor) if you want your sensor to operate just in dark conditions, for example. You can get the output of the LDR sensor on the LDR pin. Alternatively, you can also connect the LDR to the CDS pin.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"RCWL-0516](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-sensor-LDR-sensor.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen the output of the LDR is bigger than 0.7V, the OUT pin will output a HIGH signal when motion is detected. If motion is detected but the output of the LDR is smaller than 0.7V, the output will be LOW. This means that when attaching an LDR, the sensor will only sense motion when it’s dark.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"RCWL-0516](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-microwave-radar-with-LDR.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYou can adjust the sensitivity of the LDR, by connecting a resistor on the R-CDS pads (see the following section), or by adding a pull-up resistor externally in parallel with the CDS pin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my case, I added a pull-up 22KOhm resistor to the LDR pin so that it could detect motion when there is low light. Without the resistor, not even in very dark conditions I had a positive output. You might need to try with different resistance values to see which one works best for your scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adjustment components<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"RCWL-0516](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-optional-components.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAt the back of the sensor, there are three pads for additional SMD components (0805 dimensions):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following information was taken from this GitHub page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- C-TM<\/strong>: Regulate the repeat trigger time. The default (unpopulated) time is 2s. An SMD capacitor to extend the repeat trigger time. Pin 3 of the IC emits a frequency (f), and the trigger time in seconds is given by (1\/f) * 32678.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- R-GN<\/strong>: The default detection range is 7m, adding a 1M resistor reduces it to 5m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- R-CDS<\/strong>: Resistor in parallel with the 1M pullup. Without R-CDS, the lowest resistance of the LDR (i.e. highest light level) where the output is enabled is ~269k\u03a9 (=0.7V). Adding resistance here decreases the LDR resistance of the enable\/disable threshold. If the LDR resistance at the desired light level threshold is <269k then you could add an external resistor in series with the LDR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor Pinout<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
The RCWL-0516 microwave radar proximity sensor has five pins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- \n
- 3V3<\/strong>: this is the output from the voltage regulator (not the power pin)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- VIN:<\/strong> this is the power input pin. The sensor can be powered by a voltage range of 4-28V.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- GND:<\/strong> this is the ground pin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- OUT:<\/strong> this is the output pin. The output pin goes HIGH when the sensor detects movement and remains LOW when it doesn’t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- CDS:<\/strong> This pin is used to connect a light-dependent resistor (LDR). The LDR can be used to disable the sensor in bright light conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The following table shows the pinout of the RCWL-0516 microwave radar proximity sensor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- VIN:<\/strong> this is the power input pin. The sensor can be powered by a voltage range of 4-28V.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- R-GN<\/strong>: The default detection range is 7m, adding a 1M resistor reduces it to 5m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- C-TM<\/strong>: Regulate the repeat trigger time. The default (unpopulated) time is 2s. An SMD capacitor to extend the repeat trigger time. Pin 3 of the IC emits a frequency (f), and the trigger time in seconds is given by (1\/f) * 32678.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Operating frequency<\/strong>: 3.18 GHz<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Supply voltage<\/strong>: 4\u201328 VDC<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Install uPyCraft IDE (Windows<\/a>, Mac OS X<\/a>, Linux<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flashing MicroPython Firmware with esptool.py<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Installing and getting started with Thonny IDE<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor Pinout<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ESP8266 NodeMCU with RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Proximity Sensor (Arduino IDE)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Microwave](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-microwave-radar-vs-PIR-motion-sensor.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"ESP32](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-ESP32.png?resize=840%2C640&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"ESP8266](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/RCWL-0516-ESP8266_bb.png?resize=837%2C572&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Thonny](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/save-micropython-device-thonny-ide.png?resize=220%2C202&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Save](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/save-main-py-thonny-device.png?resize=553%2C409&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n