Has anyone used the mmWave detectors?

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shykitten55

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Apr 22, 2025, 6:42:31 AMApr 22
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Hi folks.

I am wanting to get one of these mmWave detectors working but it is a bit of a can of worms.

I get that that is one board and I will need to connect it to an ESP board to connect to my WiFi network.

As I use Tasmota, I would flash that then connect the detector to that board and all should work.

Operative word:  SHOULD.

But that is the overall mechanics of it - yes?

Sophie Parker

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Apr 22, 2025, 6:47:48 AMApr 22
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Yes, I have designed a PCB with an LD2420 module and ESP32C6 onboard recently (along with other sensors) that uses ESPHome rather than Tasmota, but it’s just as simple as any other sensor really.

I’m hoping to sell them at cost when I do a revision 2 to fix a few errors, so I’ll keep you in mind.

The modules seem to use UART more often than I2C but unless you’re trying to use multiple it doesn’t really matter — just pick some pins, connect them up between the modules, and tell Tasmota/ESPHome/Arduino library which IO pins you’ve used for which module pin.



Sophie Parker
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shykitten55

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Apr 22, 2025, 7:06:14 AMApr 22
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Thanks Sophie.

There will only be 1 sensor.
I'm still stuck with exactly which one to get.

I've read a lot of articles and all the ways to connect them.   Sort of above me, but I sort of get the idea.

The last bit/part.......
What I understand is that I flash the ESP with Tasmota and set/define the pins.   Connect them as per then it should work.

I'm sort of wanting to make one myself to keep up my competency in that.
I'm just fluffed with .... the ESP board to use.
I have a HEAP of old phone chargers (EARLY ONES) with maybe 1A (2 at a push) max output and micro USB connectors.
I also have some old Node-MCU ESP-12E boards with those kind of power inputs.

All the new ones are USB-C and I don't have any SPARES of them lying around.

So the IDEA is I flash one of those older boards with the Tasmota, connect the detector to the defined pins and that's that.

I may need help checking the boards I have ARE Tasmota compatible, and if they are:  flashing them.

Oh, as the Comedy Festival is happening, I am going to be a bit busy from Friday (this) until .... 17 May I think is the last show.
After that I am not as busy.

Would you mind helping me with those parts?

Thanks.
Andrew

shykitten55

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Apr 22, 2025, 7:35:32 AMApr 22
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Oh, while digging and looking, I found this:

Just wondering if it is TASMOTA compatible and would save me......  Well....   Ok, I do want to keep my skills in tune.   I just saw it while looking.
TUYA/TASMOTA.....  they are the same beast - yes?

Madox

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Apr 30, 2025, 1:59:05 PMApr 30
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Curious what you're using them for Sophie, I have a whole bunch of these sensors which I really should get around to playing with.... (mainly the speed one).
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Lewys Martin

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Jul 19, 2025, 8:42:50 AMJul 19
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Hello Sophia, I am interested in these boards, did you get around to a v2?

Sophie Parker

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Jul 20, 2025, 5:36:34 AMJul 20
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Yes, I've designed it, but haven't yet had a PCB run done while I tested the v1 (and was a little short on cash).

Here's the changes in v2:
Added:

  • 433MHz Tx & Rx (matching generic modules)
  • IR Tx LEDs directly on board (driven directly by IO pin, they should be ok hopefully?)
  • standard IR Rx pinout
  • KNX BCU and bus connection footprint! To suit OpenKNX NanoBCU or (soon to be tested...) my own Silverwattle BCU. Would work with DALI if there's a BCU with the same pinout.
  • normally-open jumpers for optional pins/overloading of multiple features on a pin
Fixed:

  • rearranged addressable LEDs and switches to match bottom-left numbering
  • flipped GY-302 light sensor footprint to match board which has sensor on the bottom (!)
  • removed superfluous decoupling cap footprints beside modules as none were necessary in testing.



Sophie Parker
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Sophie Parker

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Jul 21, 2025, 6:55:52 AMJul 21
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Anybody who is interested in these, please let me know here, and how many.

Great if you can answer a few questions:

  1. Would you be up for a PCB with SMD parts pre-soldered, and I can provide optional sensor/peripheral modules to go with? Or prefer just bare PCBs?
  2. Would you use with ESPHome, or a different system?
  3. Any issues with me moving forward with the ESP32-C6 board? I like that it can support Thread in future.

Depending on interest I'll see about a PCBA run.

Btw, here are some photos of different versions in use! 
4-button with screen, 6-button, and no-button (sensor only).

3D printable parametric case is designed and working well, see below. Looks even better printed with MMU to have coloured dots (don't have a photo but I did one with the RND bambu and it's great).

I also have a repo with the ESPHome config importable as module, and demo configs of different types: https://github.com/cortices/banksia-esphome

Sophie Parker
Luminesce
luminesce.lighting

IMG_1383.jpeg
IMG_1382.jpeg
IMG_1381.jpeg

Cat

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Jul 21, 2025, 7:05:02 AMJul 21
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I would like a couple of sensor only units but if the CO2 and VOC sensors are part of the deal, all the better.

That is:  the mmwave sensor and if possible the CO2 and VOC sensors.
Buttons/displays not needed.

Though I use TASMOTA.

Is the wave sensor adjustable for range settings?
and scan times (frequency)?
Being new to this part of things, I don't understand what options are available.

What's the third picture?

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Sophie Parker

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Jul 21, 2025, 7:21:33 AMJul 21
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Look up the LD2420 for details on what it supports for you. Yes you can change sensitivity and range.

The third photo is the one I’ve assembled (version 1 PCB) destined for you, the sensor-only version, with no front features.

Sophie Parker
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shykitten55

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Jul 21, 2025, 7:56:11 AMJul 21
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Thanks.

I think I am confused to how the sensor "works".
Is it ..... sensing all the time and only when the returns are ....... indicative that something is within a certain range it sends the message?

Or does it only scan at intervals?

I think I am not doing my self any favours with that question.
In retrospect, I'll guess the first case is how it works.
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