Qwiic Pulsed Coherent Radar Sensor - module with Acconeer XM125 radar

Description

Pulsed Coherent Radar Sensor is a module featuring the Acconeer XM125 radar, which provides powerful 60 GHz radar technology with a range of up to 20 meters. The actual measurement distance depends on the object’s size, shape, dielectric properties, and the use of a lens (e.g., water level measurement up to 20 meters with a lens, human presence detection up to 7 meters without a lens). Despite its power, the sensor boasts very low power consumption, making it ideal for battery-powered applications. The pulsed coherent radar technology allows the module not only to measure distance but also to distinguish between stationary and moving objects, enabling detection of both presence and movement speed.

The module includes a USB Type-C connector, ESD protection diodes on USB data lines, and a CH340C USB-to-serial converter for directly connecting the XM125 to a computer’s COM port. Voltage regulators AP2112K (3.3V/600mA) and RT9080 (1.8V/600mA) are used. Additional reset and boot buttons make it easy to start and switch the module into firmware upload mode. Thanks to the Qwiic system, no soldering is required to connect with other components, though the module also includes 2.54 mm pitch pins for those who prefer using a prototyping board.

Working with the module is made easier with the Arduino library, which operates once firmware for presence detection or distance measurement is loaded onto the XM125 module. Presence detection via I2C indicates whether an object is moving nearby and how far it is from the sensor. The distance measurement software provides detailed information about objects within range. The firmware also allows adjusting the sensor’s threshold and sensitivity and configuring the reading range. Acconeer has also developed a visualization tool in Python that enables real-time data collection. The Acconeer Exploration Tool is an excellent resource, especially in the initial stages, allowing for debugging and exploring the sensor’s capabilities. This tool displays distance or presence detection graphs and allows customizing sensor settings for optimal results. It’s available on Windows and Linux and requires Python 3.8 or later. The source code is available on Acconeer’s GitHub.

The SparkFun Qwiic Pulsed Coherent Radar Sensor opens up entirely new design possibilities. It enables you to create presence detection systems for smart homes and security applications, parking occupancy monitoring systems, gesture recognition interfaces, level measurement systems (e.g., for tanks or waste containers), through-wall imaging for rescue purposes, or advanced robotics for obstacle avoidance and navigation.

Features

• Acconeer XM125 module with A121 radar
• 60 GHz pulsed radar (Pulsed Coherent Radar - PCR)
• Integrated RF base unit, front-end, and antenna
• Detection range: up to 20 meters
• Millimeter-level precision
• Low power consumption
• Microcontroller:
  • STM32L431CBY6 (32-bit ARM® Cortex® M4)
  • Frequency: 80 MHz
  • Flash memory: 128kB
  • RAM: 68kB
• 2x Qwiic connectors
• Built-in I2C 2.2kΩ pull-up resistors
• I2C address: default 0x52
• SWD 2x5 connector (for debugging)
• Buttons: Reset, Boot
• LEDs: Power LED
• Jumpers: USB Shield (SHLD), Power LED (LED), I2C pull-up resistors (I2C), Wake Up (WU), I2C address (ADDR)
• USB Type-C connector
• ESD protection diodes for USB data lines
• USB-to-Serial converter CH340C
• Power supply: 5V or 3.3V (3.3V logic level)
• Voltage regulator AP2112K: 3.3V/600mA
• Voltage regulator RT9080: 1.8V/600mA
• Dimensions: 25.4 x 50.8 mm
• Weight: 6.35g