Ai-Thinker Rd-61 60GHz mmWave Radar Module – FMCW Human Presence & Motion Sensor

Product Description

The Ai-Thinker Rd-61 is a compact and high-performance 60GHz FMCW mmWave radar module designed for human presence detection, motion sensing, micro-motion detection, and advanced AIoT applications. Using an integrated Antenna-in-Package (AiP) design, the module combines the radar antenna and sensing hardware into a small form factor, making it suitable for embedded applications where space and sensing performance are important.

The Rd-61 operates across a wide 58GHz to 64GHz frequency range with a continuous sweep bandwidth of up to 6GHz. This high-frequency radar technology allows the module to detect human movement as well as small movements such as breathing and heartbeat-related micro-motion, depending on the application and environment.

The module provides a wide 120° horizontal and 120° vertical field of view, allowing broad-area sensing. It can detect targets from approximately 0.01m up to 8m, depending on target characteristics, installation conditions, and application requirements.

The Rd-61 incorporates a 32-bit RISC-V CPU operating up to 128MHz together with a dedicated Hardware Accelerator (HWA) for radar signal-processing tasks such as FFT and CFAR. This allows the module to process radar data efficiently and perform real-time target perception without requiring all processing to be handled by an external microcontroller.

The module supports UART and IIC communication, making it easy to integrate with development boards, microcontrollers, embedded controllers, and AIoT systems. Its compact size of approximately 18.5 × 6.5 × 1.6mm without header makes it suitable for smart appliances, security systems, wearables, health-monitoring products, and other space-constrained devices.

Features

• 60GHz FMCW mmWave radar sensing technology
• Ai-Thinker Rd-61 radar module
• 58GHz–64GHz operating frequency range
• Up to 6GHz continuous sweep bandwidth
• Human presence and motion detection
• Micro-motion detection capability
• Suitable for breathing and heartbeat-related detection
• 120° horizontal field of view
• 120° vertical field of view
• Detection range from approximately 0.01m to 8m
• Integrated on-board AiP antenna
• 1T3R antenna configuration
• Supports 1T1R, 1T2R, and 1T3R modes
• 32-bit RISC-V processor up to 128MHz
• Dedicated hardware accelerator for radar signal processing
• Supports FFT and CFAR processing
• UART communication up to 3Mbps
• IIC communication interface
• Ultra-compact module design
• Supports SMD and 1.27mm DIP mounting
• Wide operating temperature range
• Suitable for low-power AIoT applications

Specifications

Working Principle

The Rd-61 uses FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar technology to detect objects and human activity by transmitting high-frequency electromagnetic waves and analyzing the reflected signals.

Changes in the reflected signal can be used to determine information about the target, including movement and micro-motion. This enables applications such as human presence detection, motion sensing, breathing monitoring, and other advanced radar-based sensing functions.

The onboard processor and hardware accelerator handle radar signal-processing operations such as FFT and CFAR, allowing the module to process radar information efficiently and provide useful sensing data to an external controller.

Radar Sensing Technology

The module operates within the 58GHz–64GHz frequency range and uses a large sweep bandwidth to achieve high-resolution sensing.

Compared with conventional motion sensors, mmWave radar can detect not only large movements but also smaller movements and subtle changes in target motion. This makes the Rd-61 suitable for presence detection and selected micro-motion sensing applications.

The actual sensing performance depends on target size, installation height, mounting angle, environment, obstacles, and configured sensing parameters.

Wide Field of View

The Rd-61 provides approximately 120° horizontal and 120° vertical field of view, allowing it to cover a wide sensing area.

This broad detection angle can be useful for smart home devices, room presence detection, security systems, people counting, and intelligent appliances where a wide sensing area is required.

Communication Interface

The module supports both UART and IIC communication, making integration with external controllers straightforward.

The UART interface can support communication speeds of up to 3Mbps, while IIC can be used in applications where a shared two-wire communication bus is preferred.

The module can therefore be integrated with:

• Arduino boards
• ESP32 development boards
• ESP32-S3 systems
• STM32 controllers
• Raspberry Pi systems
• Embedded Linux platforms
• Custom IoT controllers

Power and Operating Modes

The Rd-61 is designed with multiple power-management modes to support different application requirements. These include:

• Power-off mode
• Standby mode
• Idle mode
• Working mode

This allows developers to select an appropriate operating state according to the required sensing activity and power consumption.

For applications requiring ultra-low-power operation, the manufacturer’s documentation recommends an external 1.3V supply to the V13 pin.

Typical Application Scenarios

Smart Home and Presence Detection

The Rd-61 can be used to detect human presence and movement in rooms, offices, smart homes, and other indoor environments.

Health and Micro-Motion Monitoring

Its radar sensing capability can be used in applications that require detection of subtle human motion, including breathing and heartbeat-related micro-motion.

Intelligent Appliances

The module can be integrated into smart air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, lighting systems, and other intelligent appliances that need to react automatically to user presence.

Security and Surveillance

It can be used as a high-sensitivity motion or presence trigger in security cameras, video doorbells, monitoring systems, and other surveillance equipment.

People Counting and Human Analytics

The wide field of view and radar-based sensing make the module suitable for people counting, occupancy monitoring, retail analytics, office monitoring, and other human-activity applications.

Applications

• Human presence detection
• Human motion detection
• Micro-motion sensing
• Breathing detection
• Heartbeat-related sensing
• Smart home automation
• Occupancy detection
• People counting
• Security systems
• Surveillance systems
• Video doorbells
• Intelligent appliances
• Smart lighting
• Air conditioners
• Smart TVs
• Retail analytics
• Office occupancy monitoring
• Robotics
• AIoT devices
• Health-monitoring systems
• Industrial automation
• Embedded radar systems
• Wearable and portable electronics
• IoT sensor systems

Package Includes

• 1 × Ai-Thinker Rd-61 60GHz mmWave Radar Module

Product Documentation

For datasheet, pinout, technical information, and integration details:

Click here for Ai-Thinker Rd-6X Documentation

Related Radar and UWB Products

Explore other radar sensors, mmWave modules, and development boards:

• Ai-Thinker RD-60 60GHz FMCW mmWave Radar Module with BLE 5.3
• Ai-Thinker RD-60-Kit 60GHz mmWave Radar Development and Evaluation Board
• HLK-LD1125H-24G 24GHz Human Presence Radar Sensor
• Browse Radar and UWB Products

Product Disclaimer

Product images are shown for illustrative and representational purposes only. The actual module may vary slightly in PCB colour, component placement, antenna appearance, connector configuration, header availability, dimensions, or labeling depending on the manufacturing batch or supplier.

The module may be supplied with or without headers depending on stock availability.

Radar detection performance depends on installation conditions, target characteristics, mounting position, surrounding objects, environmental interference, and configured parameters. Actual detection range and accuracy may differ from the specified maximum values.

Please verify the exact electrical specifications, pinout, firmware support, communication settings, and mechanical dimensions using the latest manufacturer documentation before using the module in a production or safety-critical application.

Important Notes

Installation Requirements

Avoid placing metal objects, large conductive materials, or high-frequency interference sources near the onboard antenna, as these may affect radar sensing performance.

Stable Mounting

Mount the radar module firmly. Excessive vibration, movement, or shaking of the module can affect detection accuracy and sensing stability.

Power Supply

The specified operating voltage range is 1.7V to 5.5V, with 3.3V typical operation. Ensure the power source can provide sufficient current, especially considering the specified peak current of ≥500mA.

Ultra-Low-Power Operation

For applications focused on low-power operation, the manufacturer’s documentation recommends providing an external 1.3V supply to the V13 pin where applicable.

Header Availability

The module may be supplied with or without headers depending on available stock.

For other Radar Sensor click here 

Important Product Disclaimer

Please note that the product information provided on our website may not be entirely accurate as it is collected from various sources on the web. While we strive to provide the most up-to-date information possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. We recommend that you always read the product labels, warnings, and directions before using any product. Product images are shown for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual product. You may get version with or without headers depending on stock availability

Note

Installation Requirements: To ensure optimal performance, avoid placing metal objects or high-frequency devices near the on-board antenna. Ensure the radar is mounted firmly, as vibrations or shaking can negatively affect detection results. For ultra-low power consumption, providing an external 1.3V supply to the V13 pin is recommended.

Related Radar and UWB Products

Compare this module with related radar sensors, mmWave modules and development boards available from Robosap.

• Ai-Thinker RD-60 60GHz FMCW mmWave Radar Module with BLE 5.3
• Ai-Thinker RD-60-Kit 60GHz mmWave Radar Development and Evaluation Board
• HLK-LD1125H-24G 24GHz Human Presence Radar Sensor – FMCW Breathing and Motion Detection
• Browse all Radar and UWB modules

Downloads and Documentation

Use these manufacturer or reference documents to verify the exact specifications, pin details, firmware support and integration requirements before designing your system.

• Ai-Thinker Rd-6X documentation page
• Robosap Radar and UWB category

Documents may be updated by the manufacturer. Always confirm critical electrical and mechanical details with the latest official documentation before production use.