DRAGINO NB-IoT Microwave Radar Distance Sensor

The DRAGINO NB-IoT Microwave Radar Distance Sensor is a wireless microwave radar distance sensor designed for IoT monitoring applications where measured distance data needs to be transmitted over an NB-IoT network.

It uses 60 GHz FMCW microwave radar to determine the distance between the sensor and a target. The manufacturer specifies a measurement range of 15 to 1200 cm, 1 cm resolution and an accuracy of ±(2 cm + S × 0.3%), where S is the measured value. The radar has a 25° horizontal and 23° vertical measurement angle.

Radar technology can be advantageous in environments where condensation or dust may interfere with other distance measurement methods. Dragino specifically states that the DRAGINO NB-IoT Microwave Radar Distance Sensor can continue to sense distance where water or thick dust is present on top of the sensor.

The sensor communicates through NB-IoT and supports multiple uplink methods, including MQTT, MQTTS, UDP and TCP on the manufacturer's product page. It also supports Bluetooth 5.1 for remote configuration and firmware updates.

How it works

• The 60 GHz FMCW radar sends microwave signals towards the target.
• The sensor determines the distance from the returned radar signal.
• Measurements can be sampled multiple times before an uplink is made.
• Measured data is transmitted through an NB-IoT network to a compatible IoT server.
• Bluetooth 5.1 can be used for configuration and firmware updates.
• The sensor can periodically send measurements, while downlink communication can be used to modify configuration settings.

Why choose this product?

• Microwave radar measurement - 60 GHz radar provides a practical alternative to ultrasonic or LiDAR sensing for suitable distance measurement applications.
• Remote NB-IoT connectivity - Designed to transmit measurement data over an NB-IoT network without requiring a local wired data connection.
• Suitable for challenging conditions - Dragino specifies improved reliability in condensation and dusty environments compared with ultrasonic or LiDAR measurement.
• Long-term battery operation - The integrated 8500 / 19000 mAh Li-SOCI2 battery | Solar panel + 3000mAh Li-ion battery | 1000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery is designed for long-term use, with a specified STOP-mode current of 10 µA at 3.3 V.
• Remote configuration - Bluetooth 5.1 and OTA firmware update support simplify configuration and maintenance.
• Flexible IoT integration - The manufacturer supports multiple communication protocols for connecting measurement data with IoT platforms.