Since the introduction of the “Wi-Fi+X Great Connection” series in April, Ai-Thinker has continued to innovate on Radar Module in response to user needs.
With the launch of their 24G human presence sensing radar module Rd-01, followed by the Rd-03 and Rd-04 modules, Ai-Thinker provides high-performance, cost-effective solutions that help users achieve intelligent product upgrades at a low cost.
This blog will delve into the technical characteristics of these three radar modules and guide users on selecting the one that best fits their needs.
24G Radar+WiFi+BLE Module: Rd-01
The Rd-01 radar module is equipped with ICLEGEND MICRO’s S3KM111L chip, which supports the detection of three human body states: static, micro-movement, and motion. This versatility makes it ideal for a range of applications from smart home to security systems. The module also utilizes Buffalo lab’s BL602 chip as the main control unit, which allows for direct transplantation of the radar algorithm, thereby saving on MCU costs and reducing peripheral component needs.
Key features of the Rd-01 include:
- High integration level, reducing BOM cost and transplantation development cost.
- Configuration of radar parameters through serial port, host computer, or mobile app, supporting OTA upgrades.
- Radar detection angle coverage of ยฑ60 degrees and a maximum detection distance of 5 meters.
- Wall and ceiling installation options, making it versatile for different settings.
The Rd-01 moduleโs ability to sense human presence and its integration with Wi-Fi and BLE make it a powerful tool for various smart home applications. It supports direct connections to Ai-WB2 series modules and cloud services such as Amazon Cloud, Tmall Genie, and Tencent Lianlian, which helps reduce development time and costs for users. The data transmission function via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allows real-time status reporting and command sending, facilitating the linkage between various smart home devices.
24GHz Single Radar Module: Rd-03
The Rd-03 module, similar to Rd-01, integrates a single-chip single-wave sensor SoC based on FMCW frequency modulation continuous wave radar technology, operating at 24GHz (K band). It features one receiving and one transmitting antenna, equipped with the ICLEGEND MICRO S3KM1110 chip. This module is smaller in size (20.0*20.0 mm) and offers plug-and-play functionality, making it suitable for miniaturized smart products.
Key attributes of the Rd-03 include:
- High-performance 32-bit MCU, with direct output of induction control signals through the transmission pin.
- Use of FMCW technology for detecting targets in the set space, enabling high-sensitivity motion and micro-motion state detection.
- Wall-mounted installation with a detection angle of ยฑ60ยฐ and a maximum detection distance of about 6.5 meters.
- Support for serial port and host computer for parameter adjustment, adding a noise floor inspection function to improve anti-interference ability.
The Rd-03 moduleโs noise floor inspection function helps reduce false triggers caused by environmental factors such as curtains, fans, and green plants, improving detection accuracy. This makes it particularly suitable for applications requiring precise motion detection in various environments.
10G Microwave Radar Module: Rd-04
The Rd-04 module, unlike the Rd-03, is based on the X-band radar chip XBR818, with a center frequency of 10.525GHz. It focuses on sensing the micro-movement and movement of the human body. The longest radar detection distance in the wall-mounted state is 6.5 meters, with a detection coverage angle of ยฑ50 degrees. This module is the smallest among the three, with a size of only 15*15 mm, making it highly adaptable for various lighting applications such as bulb lamps, downlights, and ceiling lamps.
Significant features of the Rd-04 include:
- Integration of photosensitive detection components (optional), allowing automatic adjustment of device state according to ambient light changes.
- Support for constant power supply mode and adjustable duty cycle low power consumption mode, with current as low as 110ฮผA in pulse power supply mode.
- Suitable for low-power application scenarios such as video doorbells, peepholes, door locks, low-power cameras, smart litter boxes, and feeders.
The Rd-04 moduleโs low power consumption and compact size make it ideal for applications where energy efficiency and space-saving are crucial. Its ability to integrate photosensitive detection enhances its functionality in smart lighting and security systems.
Comparison Table of Radar Modules
| Module | Rd-01 | Rd-03 | Rd-04 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function | Radar + Wi-Fi + BLE 5.0 | Radar | Radar |
| Chip | S3KM111L from ICLEGEND MICRO<br>BL602 from Bouffalo | S3KM1110 from ICLEGEND MICRO | XBR818 from Phosense |
| Working Frequency | 24GHz | 24GHz | 10.525GHz |
| Package | SMD-12/DIP6 | DIP | DIP |
| Size | 35.018.03.6(ยฑ0.2) mm | 20.020.01.2 mm | 15.0*15.0 mm |
| Antenna | On-board antenna<br>Wi-Fi & BLE: IPEX connector | On-board antenna | On-board antenna |
| Detection Distance | Wall-mounted: 5 meters<br>Ceiling: 3.5 meters | Wall-mounted: 6.5 meters<br>Ceiling: 5 meters | Wall-mounted: 6.5 meters<br>Ceiling: 2.5 meters |
| Detecting Angle | ยฑ60ยฐ | ยฑ60ยฐ | ยฑ50ยฐ |
| Frequency Range | 24Gโ24.25GHz<br>Wi-Fi: 2400-2483.5MHz | 24G-24.25GHz | 10.275-10.775GHz |
| Power Supply Range | 3.0V-3.6V, โฅ500mA | 3.0V-3.6V, โฅ100mA | 3.0V-3.6V, โฅ100mA |
| Modulation Method | FMCW | FMCW | / |
| Secondary Development | Support | / | / |
| Supported Interface | UART/GPIO/ADC/PWM/I2C/SPI | UART | IIC |
| IO | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| Rate of Serial Port | Default 115200 bps | Default 32K bps | / |
| Flash | Default 2MByte | Default 32KByte | / |
| Installation Method | Ceiling and wall hanging | Ceiling and wall hanging | Ceiling and wall hanging |
| Parameter Adjustment Method | Through serial port, APP, host computer, etc. | Through serial port, upper computer | Customizable |
| Application Scenario | Smart home, smart security, life safety protection, etc. | Smart business, smart lighting, etc. | Smart home, smart security, smart switch/lighting, smart pet products |
| Product Highlights | Wi-Fi+Bluetooth+radar, built-in data processing and wireless connection functions<br>High-sensitivity sensing of micro-movement/movement/static human body state | Accurately identify human movement/micro-movement, add background noise check function, strong anti-interference ability, and better price | Low power consumption, low cost, can detect human objects in micro-movement and motion state |
Documentation
More details can be found here: https://docs.ai-thinker.com/en/radar
Conclusion
Ai-Thinkerโs radar modules Rd-01, Rd-03, and Rd-04 each offer unique advantages and are designed to cater to different application needs. Hereโs a quick summary to help you decide which module is right for you:
- Rd-01: Ideal for smart home and security applications, offering Wi-Fi and BLE connectivity, and versatile installation options.
- Rd-03: Suitable for precise motion detection in various environments, with high sensitivity and anti-interference capabilities.
- Rd-04: Best for low-power applications and smart lighting, with compact size and optional photosensitive detection.
All three modules support flexible and adjustable sensing distances, high-precision measurement of human dynamic targets, and strong anti-interference ability, making them suitable for a wide range of application scenarios. They are available on Ai-Thinkerโs official Alibaba store, allowing interested users to explore and purchase these innovative solutions.
For more information, follow Ai-Thinker on their official channels and check out their relative videos on YouTube:
By understanding the technical characteristics and application scenarios of these radar modules, users can make informed decisions and leverage Ai-Thinkerโs solutions to achieve intelligent product upgrades effectively and efficiently.
I hope you were able to easily follow the blog and got a good understanding of the Radar Module Series of Ai-thinker.
I am running an Embedded Design House, CAPUF Embedded Pvt. Ltd, located in Bangalore, India. At CAPUF, we help companies build embedded products with our hardware and firmware design services.
We also help in design optimizations for power consumption, cost, mass manufacturing, and performance. Additionally, we develop PCB testing jigs and provide cloud-based monitoring solutions.