For a DIY radar detector that can track target positions and apply room zones, use a Hi-Link HLK-LD2450 module with a UART-capable controller running ESPHome, then connect the ESPHome device to Home Assistant. ESPHome can expose target details and up to three rectangular zones. This is presence sensing for automations—not identity recognition or a guaranteed security boundary.
Choose a radar that supports zones
The HLK-LD2450 is the better fit when the project depends on knowing where a moving target is relative to the sensor. ESPHome describes its target tracking as reporting target position, distance, angle, and speed. Its component also exposes target counts and details, plus up to three configurable rectangular zones. See ESPHome’s LD2450 component documentation.
The LD2410 is an alternative for general presence detection rather than coordinate-based tracking. ESPHome exposes presence, moving-target and still-target states, distance, and energy measurements through its UART component. Home Assistant also documents a native Bluetooth route for the LD2410. The two modules serve different needs; the LD2410’s specifications should not be treated as LD2450 specifications.
| Option | What it provides | Integration route | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLK-LD2450 | Moving-target tracking with distance, angle, speed, target details, and up to three rectangular zones (ESPHome component documentation, accessed 2026-10-04) | ESPHome over UART, then Home Assistant | Coordinate-based zones make it the zone-focused choice |
| HLK-LD2410 | Presence, moving- and still-target states, distance, and energy measurements (ESPHome component documentation, accessed 2026-10-04) | ESPHome over UART, or Home Assistant’s native BLE integration where supported | Hi-Link’s manual states a maximum sensing distance of 5 m and distance resolution of 0.75 m for the LD2410; the manual’s publication year is not confirmed. These figures are not LD2450 specifications. |
| Everything Presence Lite | Prebuilt LD2450-based sensor; its device listing states up to four detection zones, two exclusion zones, up to three tracked targets, and visual zone configuration (ESPHome Devices directory, accessed 2026-10-04) | Prebuilt Home Assistant-oriented device; listing also describes Bluetooth Proxy functionality | A commercial prebuilt alternative, not the DIY module build |
Sources: ESPHome LD2450, ESPHome LD2410, Home Assistant LD2410 BLE integration, and ESPHome Devices listing for Everything Presence Lite.
The Tool Desk
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- LD2450 Ra·dar Module: A Trajectory Module, which can achieve real-time tracking of the position of the moving target in the detection area, and output the distance, angle and speed information of the moving target in the area through the serial port.
- Using Scenes: It is mainly used in common indoor scenes, such as home, office and hotel, to realize the positioning and tracking of moving people.
- Detection Angle : Azimuth ± 60° / Tilt ± 35°. Angle Accuracy : 2° ~ 20°.
- Detection Distance : Max Sensing Distance 8m. Distance Defense Rate : 0.75m. Distance Measurement Accuracy : 0.15m.
- Data Format : Serial ASCIl output. Modulation Mode: FMCW. Sweep Bandwidth: 250MHz (CE/FCC compliant). Frequency: 24G-24.25GHz.
What you need for an LD2450 DIY build
The basic signal path is radar module → UART-capable controller → ESPHome → Home Assistant. ESPHome requires UART for the LD2450 and recommends hardware UART to support its default 256000 baud rate. The exact board and wiring depend on the controller and module variant, so verify their documentation before powering or connecting them.
- HLK-LD2450 mmWave radar sensor module.
- A controller with hardware UART; an ESP32 development board is one common route, but no particular board is prescribed by the cited ESPHome documentation.
- Wires, USB cable, power supply, and an enclosure as required by your chosen board and installation. A 2024 DIY tutorial uses jumper wires, a USB cable, and a 5 V supply; those are that build’s choices, not universal requirements.
- A mounting location and orientation that let you define the room area consistently in the zone coordinates.
Before buying, check the exact module variant, controller pinout, available UART pins, power requirements, and mounting plan. The cited official sources establish the UART requirement, but do not validate a specific ESP32 board or wiring diagram. For an LD2410 BLE setup, check the board version: Home Assistant says LD2410B and LD2410C have Bluetooth; the C has standard 2.54 mm pitch pins, while the B uses half-pitch pins. See Home Assistant’s LD2410 BLE integration notes.
Rank #2
- ★The LD2450 is a 24 GHz radar module capable of real-time tracking of moving targets within a detection area and outputting information on the distance, angle, and speed of moving targets in the area via a serial port.
- ★It is primarily used in common indoor settings such as homes, offices, and hotels to track the location of moving people.
- ★When installing the unit on the wall, you need to take into account external factors such as air conditioners and electric fans mounted on the ceiling. the maximum tracking range is 8 meters. You should take into account potential obstructions in the application environment as well as overhead obstacles; the recommended installation height is between 1.5 and 2 meters.
- ★The detection zone contains non-human objects in constant motion, such as animals, curtains that are constantly fluttering, or large potted plants positioned directly in front of the air vent. The detection zone contains large, highly reflective surfaces; highly reflective objects positioned directly in front of the radar antenna can cause interference.
- ★If the radar requires an enclosure, the enclosure must have good wave-transmitting properties in the 24 GHz band and must not contain metal or materials that shield electromagnetic waves.
Connect the LD2450 to ESPHome and Home Assistant
- Check the radar firmware. ESPHome says LD2450 firmware V2.02.23090617 or later is needed for proper integration functionality. Confirm the version for the module you have.
- Wire the module to a hardware UART. Follow the pinout and power guidance for your exact controller and radar board. ESPHome recommends hardware UART for the LD2450’s default 256000 baud rate.
- Configure the ESPHome device. Add the LD2450 component and the selected UART pins using ESPHome’s component documentation. Do not copy pin assignments from a different controller without verifying them.
- Flash and confirm sensor entities. Once the device is running ESPHome and connected to Home Assistant, check that target and zone-related entities appear and update before relying on them in an automation.
- Set the zones for the installed orientation. Configure boundaries in the ESPHome component, then observe whether the reported targets match the intended room areas.
A 2024 DIY LD2450 and ESP32 tutorial demonstrates wiring, firmware setup, zone configuration, dashboard use, and automation. Treat its component choices as one example rather than a universal wiring standard.
Set LD2450 zone coordinates
ESPHome defines zone positions in millimeters relative to the sensor. The documented x range is -3000 (left) to 3000 (right); y runs from 0 (nearest) to 6000 (farthest). The component supports up to three rectangular zones. It can disable a zone, use it to detect only targets in the defined area, or filter an area out.
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Rank #3
- Elevate your indoor spaces with our 24G millimeter-wave radar sensor, the LD2450. Designed for precision human motion Detection,effortlessly outputting distance, angle, and velocity data for moving targets via serial ASCII. Perfect for domestic, office, and hotel settings where smart, practical solutions are valued
- Boasting a wide detection angle (Azimuth: ±60° / Elevation: ±35°) and high angle precision (2°~20°), the 24G HLK-LD2450 radar sensor module stands out for its reliability and accuracy. Its advanced sensing capabilities make it an indispensable asset for creating smarter and safer indoor environments
- Engineered for excellence, our Radar Sensor Module operates at a frequency of 24G-42.25Hz, ensuring optimal performance through serial ASCII output. This smart sensing solution is designed to adapt to various indoor conditions without being affected by temperature, brightness, humidity, or light fluctuations, reinforcing its practicality in any setting
- Featuring an easy-to-install wall-mounted design, the LD2450 Sensing Distance radar offers up to 8m of precise tracking distance. Its exceptional adaptability makes it suitable for installation within various enclosures, providing they possess good transmission properties at the 24GHz
- Discover unparalleled performance with our 24G radar sensor. Whether it's for residential, commercial, or hospitality applications, this radar sensor module ensures accurate, reliable, and intelligent monitoring of movements within any indoor environment, showcasng its versatility and efficiency in real-time target tracking
- Orient the coordinate map to the sensor as installed, not to a room sketch viewed from an unrelated direction.
- Define rectangles around the areas that matter to an automation, using the documented millimeter ranges.
- Use an exclusion area to filter out a region that should not trigger the intended behavior.
- Check live target reports in the actual room and adjust boundaries if they do not match the installed layout.
Zone boundaries are configuration filters, not a guarantee that activity just outside a line will never affect detection. Results depend on the installed sensor and room; do not treat zones as identity recognition or a certified security perimeter.
Use presence data carefully in automations
Choose the entity that matches the decision you want Home Assistant to make: a zone state for an area-specific response, a target count for the number of tracked targets, or target details when the automation needs reported position data. For example, a zone can be used to trigger a light when motion is reported in that area. Test the chosen condition with people moving through the real space before making it the sole trigger for an important action.
Rank #4
- ★The LD2450 is a 24 GHz radar module capable of real-time tracking of moving targets within a detection area and outputting information on the distance, angle, and speed of moving targets in the area via a serial port.
- ★It is primarily used in common indoor settings such as homes, offices, and hotels to track the location of moving people.
- ★When installing the unit on the wall, you need to take into account external factors such as air conditioners and electric fans mounted on the ceiling. the maximum tracking range is 8 meters. You should take into account potential obstructions in the application environment as well as overhead obstacles; the recommended installation height is between 1.5 and 2 meters.
- ★The detection zone contains non-human objects in constant motion, such as animals, curtains that are constantly fluttering, or large potted plants positioned directly in front of the air vent. The detection zone contains large, highly reflective surfaces; highly reflective objects positioned directly in front of the radar antenna can cause interference.
- ★If the radar requires an enclosure, the enclosure must have good wave-transmitting properties in the 24 GHz band and must not contain metal or materials that shield electromagnetic waves.
ESPHome’s presence timeout controls how long binary presence states persist after detection clears. It does not apply to target counts or target details. Tune it to the desired automation behavior, and check the state transitions in Home Assistant rather than assuming all exposed values share the same persistence rules.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to choose a prebuilt sensor instead
If you want to avoid assembling a controller, wiring, and enclosure, the ESPHome Devices directory lists Everything Presence Lite as an LD2450-based enclosed sensor with USB-C power and visual zone configuration. Its listing describes up to four detection zones, two exclusion zones, up to three tracked targets, and Bluetooth Proxy functionality. Those are product-directory claims, not independent performance measurements; its zone count also differs from ESPHome’s maximum of three zones for the LD2450 component itself. Check the device listing for the exact product configuration before choosing it.
Best Value
- The LD2450 human body sensing module adopts 24GHz millimeter wave radar sensor technology, which is sensitive to moving human bodies and micro moving human bodies that cannot be recognized by traditional methods;
- Has good environmental adaptability, and the sensing effect is not affected by the surrounding environment such as temperature, brightness, humidity, and light fluctuations;
- Has good shell penetration, can be hidden inside the shell to work, without the need for holes on the surface of the product, improving the product's aesthetics
- The LD2450 moving target tracking sensor can accurately locate and track targets, and is widely used in various AloT scenarios
- Application scenarios: smart home, smart commerce, bathroom, smart lighting, etc
Sources: Everything Presence Lite device listing and ESPHome LD2450 documentation.
Quick Recap
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