Folks, I’ve been living under a rock for a while and am just now back.
1:
I’ve heard of these mm wave detectors/sensors which are (to my understanding) the next generation of PIR sensors.
In that they are WAY MORE accurate for distance and less prone to false triggers.
(EDIT)
Is this the one?
2:
These MOSFET things that convert 3.3v to 5v signal levels.
I want to switch a 5v device from a RasPi output.
They are 3 connection PCB with a/the MOSFET.
Yes - the item that you have linked fits that description. But I don’t know if referring to them as the ‘next generation’ is reasonable. The two types of sensors do slightly different jobs with different results, and each has its own place as a sensor.
There are two types of devices that would fit your description. The one you might be talking about is a logic level shifter, where you need to connect the logic signals of two devices but one of them uses 3.3V logic levels (like a Pi) and the other uses 5V logic levels (like a UNO) These are typically bi-directional. Logic Level Converter Bi-Directional | Buy in Australia | CE07510 | Core Electronics
The other is a device that enables a module such as a Pi that uses a logic level of 3.3V to operate a device that needs 5V or higher in order to function, such as a relay or lamp. These devices are unidirectional and can handle a range of voltages and higher current than a Pi can manage. MOSFET Power Switch Module | Buy in Australia | CE09733 | Core Electronics
Bi- or uni-directional is one distinction, but it’s not the important one. The basis for making the selection should be whether the device you are connecting to is expecting to receive a logic signal (such as a UNO) or a higher current control signal (such as a lamp or relay or motor).
Certainly agree, there are great synergies between the two - for the initial detection both sensors could be used for a more reliable result, and mmwave to ensure that a person is still in the space.
For switching a fan on and off that MOSFET board will work perfectly.
WRT the mmWave board:
This is for indoor use so when I get up in the morning and walk into a room, it triggers events.
Ok, I’m confused.
Three options.
CE10172
SS101010001
SEN0609
(Just talking)
Problems with them - for now:
They are 3.3v. The board I have is a Node MCU thing and I think it is 5v I/O.
The second one (SS101010001) scrolling down they show a bluetooth board.
Ok, fair enough. But that then introduces BT into the equation. RasPi 3B+. I see it has BT available. But will it be COMPATIBLE?
And it would mean another WALL WART plugged in.
Though I guess I could run the power lines from … another board with 5V handy but use BT to connect to the network.
I’ve never done any coding for BT and am not sure what/how I’m going to do on the RasPi end of things.
My question is why are you concerned by the fact that you have Bluetooth. If you don’t want or need Bluetooth just ignore it. Not doing any harm if you don’t want to use it.
Cheers Bob
Another big thing is to check which one has a library/ good documentation to make it easy to use. Currently, I am trying to write one for that RD-03D board and it is proving to be quite a challenge, lots of math on hexadecimal coming through UART.
No promises but if we do get a library written, we will release a guide on it for the Pico with MicroPython and Arduino with C++ (which can be adapted to work on the Pico). We don’t like to say what may lie ahead guide-wise as we don’t want to disappoint, but it was just too good a timing.
The other boards may have good libraries out there as well though!
