# Microwave Presence sensor (RCWL-0516) (CE09433) **URL:** \ **Category:** Product Questions\ **Created:** [26 December 2024 04:57 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516-ce09433/21511 "2024-12-26T04:57:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Core](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/core/32/57_2.png) [@Core](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Core)\ **Post date:** [26 December 2024 04:57 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516-ce09433/21511/1 "2024-12-26T04:57:34Z")
This is a placeholder topic for [**“Microwave Presence sensor (RCWL-0516)”**](https://core-electronics.com.au/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516.html) comments. ![](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/5ba536955e3e815f4e908e49c1dd8155/m/m/mmwa.jpg) Is someone there? Be sure with this microwave doppler radar [**Read more**](https://core-electronics.com.au/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516.html) ---
**Author:** ![lia262073](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@lia262073](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/lia262073)\ **Post date:** [1 January 2025 18:04 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516-ce09433/21511/2 "2025-01-01T18:04:12Z")
How is it better than the generic PIR motion sensor used here? [Motion Detection with ESP32 & PIR Sensor - The Engineering Projects](https://www.theengineeringprojects.com/2022/02/motion-detection-with-esp32-pir-sensor.html) Does the [RCWL-0516](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516-ce09433/21511) give a more accurate result? ---
**Author:** ![Samuel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/samuel/32/11763_2.png) [@Samuel](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Samuel)\ **Post date:** [2 January 2025 01:59 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516-ce09433/21511/3 "2025-01-02T01:59:25Z")
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! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lia262073](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@lia262073](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/lia262073)\ **Post date:** [2 January 2025 07:58 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516-ce09433/21511/4 "2025-01-02T07:58:42Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Zach](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/zach/32/10899_2.png) [@Zach](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Zach)\ **Post date:** [3 January 2025 03:35 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/microwave-presence-sensor-rcwl-0516-ce09433/21511/5 "2025-01-03T03:35:54Z")
Hey @lia262073, I imagine these things can be relatively finicky. Curious to hear if your experience is different the second time around!