Current occupancy detection solutions tend to employ complex systems such as mmWave radar to detect stationary objects. Passive Infrared (PIR) technology, while simpler, can reliably detect motion but struggles detecting stationary objects. This application note explores using a mirror to simulate motion to create a PIR-based system capable of occupancy detection.
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Passive Infrared (PIR) technology is currently widely used for motion detection applications due to the low power consumption and cost of this technology. However, when it comes to occupancy detection, most systems tend to employ more complex solutions, such as mmWave radar, due to the ability of mmWave radar to reliably detect stationary objects.
The challenge with PIR technology is the reliance on motion, because the sensors cannot detect stationary objects on their own. The PIR-based occupancy detector solves this problem by using a system of a motorized mirrors to feign movement of stationary targets to provide reliable occupancy detection.