This is a placeholder topic for “Microwave Presence sensor (RCWL-0516)” comments.
Is someone there? Be sure with this microwave doppler radar
Read moreHow is it better than the generic PIR motion sensor used here? Motion Detection with ESP32 & PIR Sensor - The Engineering Projects
Does the RCWL-0516 give a more accurate result?
Hey @lia262073,
The PIR sensor (HC-SR501) and this Microwave Presence sensor (RCWL-0516) are both motion detection sensors, but they use slightly different technology to detect that movement.
The HC-SR501 is based on Passive Infrared (PIR) technology, which detects infrared radiation emitted by humans and animals while the RCWL-0516 uses microwave radar as a detector. This is useful for moving objects regardless of ambient temperature or light.
I would say that sensors using PIR tech will give you a more accurate result if you intend to detect the movement of living things while microwave radar sensors are better for detecting any movement regardless of its source.
Hope this helps! 
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Thank you. A few years ago I took one microwave radar sensor from my then office’s inventory and tried to use that with a simple Arduino code. But I was getting weird results. I did not try to use it after that. Don’t know if I was making a mistake.
Hey @lia262073,
I imagine these things can be relatively finicky. Curious to hear if your experience is different the second time around!
