RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Module
by Generic
SKU: PSA-CMP-RCWL0516
No reviews yetTypical India street price
₹40–₹90
Doppler microwave motion — sees through thin plastic unlike PIR.
Interface: Digital OUT
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Concept
A 3 GHz oscillator + mixer detects moving objects via Doppler shift.
A little theory
OUT HIGH while motion. Not a distance sensor. Can false-trigger near Wi-Fi / fans. In the classroom, treat RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Module as a beginner part using Digital OUT. Typical India street price is about ₹40–₹90. Always verify voltage and pin labels on your exact module — silk screens vary across clones. Start with a datasheet or trusted learn guide, power the part correctly, share GND with the MCU, and test with a simple blink/read sketch before building the full project. Measure voltages with a multimeter when something fails, and keep actuator current off the MCU regulator.
How it works in a project
3.3 V OUT to MCU (is 3.3 even if Vcc is 5). digitalRead; add cooldown.
Classroom & project use
- Hidden occupancy
- Halloween props
- Bathroom fan
Buying in India
Precautions
- Not a toy radar gun
- Keep away from face at 0 cm for long labs (low power but good practice)
Specifications
| Band | ~3.2GHz |
| Output | Digital |
| Category | Sensors |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Voltage | 4–28V (5 V typical) |
| Interface | Digital OUT |
Pinout
See module silkscreen: typically VCC, GND, and signal pins. Confirm labels against the seller photo — clones vary.
