Updated: Jan 19, 20257 min read

Beginner DIY ESPHome mmWave Presence Sensor

Written by: Fixt
mmWave Sensor
Back
Esp32 housing
Inside

Prerequisites

Using the affiliate links below helps support the channel and all the content I create 🎉🙌

Optional

HLK-LD2450 Sensor Specs

Back
  • Frequency: 24 GHz (ISM band)
  • Sensor Type: Millimeter wave radar
  • Detection Range: Up to 6 meters (approximately 8 meters in practical terms)
  • Module Size: Ultra-small, measuring 15mm x 44mm
  • Detection Angle: ±60°
  • Pitch Angle: ±35°

Additionally, the HLK-LD2450 sensor supports the following features:

  • Precise motion target localization and tracking: Distance, angle and speed.
  • Configurable Zones: It allows you to define up to 3 configurable zones for monitoring.
  • Multiple Connection Options: You can connect it using pin and socket interfaces.
  • Intelligent Algorithm Firmware: Utilizes FMCW waveforms and advanced signal processing technology.

fixtSE DIY Sensor Case

I'll keep adding more sensors to this case, so you can use it for other projects as well.

You can get it on:

Or order it from:

Save $5 on your first order using our link: https://pcbway.com/g/lHR6if

How to wire it up

Wire Up
ESP32 BoardHLK-LD2450
VIN5v
TX2RX
RX2TX
GNDGND

ESPHome Firmware

Updated firmware to ESPHome 2024.12.4
Added OTA support

Not supported browser detected

Try a different browser!

The only difference between the two firmwares is the Bluetooth Proxy. If you don't need it, you can use the firmware without it.
You can find the documentation here

YAML Files

v1.2.0:
Added OTA support (deactivated by default)

Shop Content
YAML
TinkererFree
Member Banner

Available in our Store, or join the Tinkerer or Automation Hero tier to access our latest Shop Content for FREE!

BENEFITS BY TIER
  • Starters 🌟:
    • Ad-Free: You'll get a completly Add-free experience on our website.
    • Early Tutorial Access: Get early access to our content on our website.
    • Smart Tutorial Video Player: Easily find the exact code, link, or button you need for each part of the tutorial.
    • Discord Access: Connect with other members and receive real-time updates.
    • Member Shoutout: Stick around until the end for a shoutout to our members.
  • Tinkerers 🤖:
    • All rewards included in previous tier
    • Free Access to Selected Blueprints and Projects in Our Website Library.
    • Tinkerers Content: You’ll have the ability to access Scripts, Automations, Templates and more, directly from our website.
    • Unlock Latest Shop Content for FREE: Look for the TinkererFree badge on the title
      Once unlocked, it will remain free for you to access on our website library (including future UPDATES!)
    • Behind-the-scenes videos of the projects, I'm working on, that not always end up on a tutorial.
  • Automation Heroes 🦸‍♂️:
    • All rewards included in previous tier
    • Participate in Monthly Live Q&As where I will be able to answer your questions and even help you with some specific problem on your Home Assistant Setup
    • Suggest Tutorials for Our Patreon Members to Vote On, to Be Produced Within the Next 2 Months
  • Your support is invaluable in allowing us to continue creating the tutorials you like 😁🏠🎉
  • Click on the Patreon button below to become a member, and then log in with your Patreon Account on our website.

How to create zones

HLKRadarTool

How to use it on your dashboard

Plotly Graph

By dbuezas

Open your Home Assistant instance and open a repository inside the Home Assistant Community Store.

Just replace mmwave_sensor with your sensor's name. Ej: mmwave_sensor_aac3 or mmwave_sensor_no_aac3 based on the firmware you flashed.

FirmwareSensor Name
With Bluetooth Proxymmwave_sensor
Without Bluetooth Proxymmwave_sensor_no

Custom Card

type: custom:plotly-graph
title: mmWave Radar Sensor
refresh_interval: 1
hours_to_show: current_day
layout:
  height: 230
  margin:
    l: 50
    r: 20
    t: 20
    b: 40
  showlegend: true
  xaxis:
    dtick: 100
    gridcolor: RGBA(200,200,200,0.15)
    zerolinecolor: RGBA(200,200,200,0.15)
    type: number
    fixedrange: true
    range:
      - 400
      - -400
  yaxis:
    dtick: 100
    gridcolor: RGBA(200,200,200,0.15)
    zerolinecolor: RGBA(200,200,200,0.15)
    scaleanchor: x
    scaleratio: 1
    fixedrange: true
    range:
      - 600
      - 0
entities:
  - entity: ''
    name: Target1
    marker:
      size: 12
    line:
      shape: spline
      width: 5
    x:
      - $ex hass.states["sensor.mmwave_sensor_target_1_x"].state /-10
    'y':
      - $ex hass.states["sensor.mmwave_sensor_target_1_y"].state /10
  - entity: ''
    name: Target2
    marker:
      size: 12
    line:
      shape: spline
      width: 5
    x:
      - $ex hass.states["sensor.mmwave_sensor_target_2_x"].state /-10
    'y':
      - $ex hass.states["sensor.mmwave_sensor_target_2_y"].state /10
  - entity: ''
    name: Target3
    marker:
      size: 12
    line:
      shape: spline
      width: 5
    x:
      - $ex hass.states["sensor.mmwave_sensor_target_3_x"].state /-10
    'y':
      - $ex hass.states["sensor.mmwave_sensor_target_3_y"].state /10
  - entity: ''
    name: Zone1
    mode: lines
    fill: toself
    fillcolor: RGBA(20,200,0,0.1)
    line:
      color: RGBA(20,200,0,0.2)
      shape: line
      width: 2
    x:
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_x1"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_x1"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_x2"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_x2"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_x1"].state /-10
    'y':
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_y1"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_y2"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_y2"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_y1"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_1_y1"].state /10
  - entity: ''
    name: Zone2
    mode: lines
    fill: toself
    fillcolor: RGBA(200,0,255,0.1)
    line:
      color: RGBA(200,0,255,0.2)
      shape: line
      width: 2
    x:
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_x1"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_x1"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_x2"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_x2"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_x1"].state /-10
    'y':
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_y1"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_y2"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_y2"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_y1"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_2_y1"].state /10
  - entity: ''
    name: Zone3
    mode: lines
    fill: toself
    fillcolor: RGBA(200,120,55,0.1)
    line:
      color: RGBA(200,120,55,0.2)
      shape: line
      width: 2
    x:
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_x1"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_x1"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_x2"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_x2"].state /-10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_x1"].state /-10
    'y':
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_y1"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_y2"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_y2"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_y1"].state /10
      - $ex hass.states["number.mmwave_sensor_zone_3_y1"].state /10
  - entity: ''
    name: Coverage
    mode: lines
    fill: tonexty
    fillcolor: rgba(168, 216, 234, 0.15)
    line:
      shape: line
      width: 1
      dash: dot
    x:
      - 0
      - $ex 600 * Math.sin((2 * Math.PI)/360 * 60)
      - 450
      - 400
      - 300
      - 200
      - 100
      - 0
      - -100
      - -200
      - -300
      - -400
      - -450
      - $ex -600 * Math.sin((2 * Math.PI)/360 * 60)
      - 0
    'y':
      - 0
      - $ex 600 * Math.cos((2 * Math.PI)/360 * 60)
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 450**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 400**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 300**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 200**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 100**2 )
      - 600
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 100**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 200**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 300**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 400**2 )
      - $ex Math.sqrt( 600**2 - 450**2 )
      - $ex 600 * Math.cos((2 * Math.PI)/360 * 60)
      - 0
raw_plotly_config: true

How to automate with it

💡𐂷 Sensor Light

By Blacky
Documentation here

Open your Home Assistant instance and show the blueprint import dialog with a specific blueprint pre-filled.