# Hardware Overview

# Hardware Overview

# Overview

Learn about the components included with Everything Presence Lite and their functions.

## What's in the Box?   ![](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzEyODlhY2JjLWM2NWItNGNhNy05YjA0LWI3YjZmYzc5ZjFiNS82NzY5YmM1YS1mNmMwLTRhOWUtYjMxOS0yYWUwMzNiNzllYjkvaGFyZHdhcmUtb3ZlcnZpZXctZXZlcnl0aGluZy1wcmVzZW5jZS1saXRlLWJveC1jb250ZW50cy5qcGciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzY4MTEwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNzY3NTAwfQ.SyJGCZH0R772Ja0f9QYkRvqAeggUgW8xsIur3kyrw6o " =7008x4672")

Your Everything Presence Lite package may include different components depending on the version you purchased. If you bought the **board only**, you'll need to provide a compatible mmWave sensor separately.

If you have the **fully assembled** Everything Presence Lite with the injection-molded case, you can skip ahead to [Set up your EPL device in Home Assistant](/doc/82661309-df52-470a-a668-7dbd15bcaaea)

### Everything Presence Lite Board

 ![](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzEyODlhY2JjLWM2NWItNGNhNy05YjA0LWI3YjZmYzc5ZjFiNS9kZGE5YzdmNy0wYjI1LTQwMjgtOTc0NS1mMmNlNzcyYTliYTYvaGFyZHdhcmUtb3ZlcnZpZXctZXBsLWJvYXJkLTEuanBnIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTM2ODExMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5Mzc2NzUwMH0.7C5aZWe2tnrvhcvLSEwxbmF3vC8WzByTPVdYkg8sC2o " =7008x4672")

The **Everything Presence Lite board** is the main circuit board of the device. It features an **ESP32-WROOM-32E** module, which provides Wi-Fi connectivity and serves as the processing unit for the sensors.

Key components on the board include:

* **ESP32-WROOM-32E** (4MB flash version)
* **BH1750 Light Illuminance Sensor**
* **mmWave Sensor Slots** for:
  * HiLink LD2450 (default)
  * HiLink LD2410C
  * DFRobot SEN0395
  * DFRobot SEN0609
  * Seeed MR24HPC1
* **USB-C Port** for power and programming
* **5V Header Input** for optional power sources
* **4 GPIO Pins** for additional expansion

Each component is labeled directly on the board for easy reference during assembly.

### Connector and Pinout Quick Reference

The board has a few connectors that are useful when flashing, expanding, or swapping sensors.

| Connector / Part | What it is for | Notes |
|------------------|----------------|-------|
| USB-C port       | Power and flashing | This is the normal port for power, firmware flashing, and logs. |
| `5V` header input | Alternate 5V power input | Useful if you want to power the board without USB-C. |
| `RESET` button   | Reboots the ESP32 | Use this for a normal board restart. |
| `BOOT / FLASH` button | Manual flashing / recovery | Usually not needed for normal setup because automatic flashing should work. |
| Bottom expansion header | Supported module and GPIO expansion | The validated module connection here is `3.3V`, `GND`, `GPIO26 (SDA)`, and `GPIO27 (SCL)` for the CO2 module. |
| mmWave sensor sockets (`LD2450`, `LD2410`, `DFRobot`, `Seeed`) | Sensor-specific headers | These are dedicated sensor sockets, not general-purpose GPIO headers. Use the firmware that matches the sensor you install. |

### Practical Notes

* The CO2 module uses the bottom expansion header and should be aligned so `3.3V` and `GND` match the board markings.
* The mmWave sockets are keyed by board labels. Always check the silkscreen and fitment before powering on.
* If you are doing custom expansion work, treat the documented CO2/header wiring as the supported reference point and verify any custom pin use carefully against your board revision.
* The two board buttons serve different purposes: `RESET` restarts the board, while `BOOT / FLASH` is for recovery or manual flashing only.

### Official Case

 ![](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzEyODlhY2JjLWM2NWItNGNhNy05YjA0LWI3YjZmYzc5ZjFiNS8xMjU0YTJkNS1lOTBkLTRlNzAtYmY0Ni00M2NiMDEwZDZlMDEvaGFyZHdhcmUtb3ZlcnZpZXctb2ZmaWNpYWwtY2FzZS5qcGciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzY4MTEwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNzY3NTAwfQ.k3ZTItfp3F8a3mT3zacYzE-OzB1M5GZq2qn-x7FG9TE " =7008x4672")

The Everything Presence Lite includes an **official case**, which consists of five parts:

* Front panel
* Back panel
* Stand
* Ball joint
* Locking ring

If you prefer a different color or material, you can **print your own case** using the STL file available on [Printables](https://www.printables.com/model/624830-everything-presence-lite-official-case).

### mmWave Sensor

 ![](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzEyODlhY2JjLWM2NWItNGNhNy05YjA0LWI3YjZmYzc5ZjFiNS82MDNhMGI1MS1lYWYwLTQwOTUtYjU4Zi05N2Y5ZDIwYzU5ZDQvaW1hZ2UucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTM2ODExMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5Mzc2NzUwMH0.ZqM622Iom2ZGQo_vuz1hV2Y3ps3lOIIF54tuaursjoQ)

The Lite board is compatible with various **mmWave sensors**, making it ideal for developing and testing mmWave applications. By default, the package includes the **HiLink LD2450 mmWave sensor**, which supports tracking up to three targets in **2D space**.


---

## Alternative mmWave Sensors

The EPL board supports several alternative mmWave sensors beyond the default LD2450. Each sensor has different capabilities and requires its own firmware variant.


:::warning
**Important**: You must install the correct firmware for your sensor. The default EPL firmware only works with the LD2450 sensor.

:::

### Sensor Comparison

| Sensor | Target Tracking | Zones | Range | Best For |
|--------|-----------------|-------|-------|----------|
| **LD2450** (default) | Yes - up to 3 targets in 2D | Yes   | \~6m  | Zone-based automations, target tracking |
| **LD2410C** | No              | No (gate-based) | \~6m  | Simple presence detection with per-gate sensitivity |
| **SEN0395** | No              | No    | \~8m  | Basic presence, budget option |
| **SEN0609** | Limited         | No    | \~25m | Long range detection |
| **MR24HPC1** (Seeed) | No              | No    | \~5m  | Scene-based presets, sensitivity control |

### LD2450 (Default)

The standard sensor included with EPL. Features real-time 2D target tracking with support for zones, masks, and entry/exit detection.

**Key features**:

* Tracks up to 3 targets simultaneously
* X/Y coordinate tracking
* Zone and polygon support
* Entry/exit zone detection
* Occupancy masks

### LD2410C

A simpler sensor from HiLink without target tracking. Uses "gate" based detection where each gate represents a distance range.

**Key features**:

* Gate-based detection (0-8 gates)
* Per-gate movement and still sensitivity
* Moving and still target distinction
* Engineering mode for diagnostics
* No zone support

**When to use**: If you need simple presence detection without zone features, or already have an LD2410C sensor.

### DFRobot SEN0395

The legacy DFRobot sensor with basic presence detection.

**Key features**:

* Single sensitivity control (0-9)
* Min/max distance settings
* Simple on/off presence output
* 8 metre detection range

**When to use**: If you have this sensor from previous projects or need budget-friendly basic detection.

### DFRobot SEN0609

The newer DFRobot sensor with extended range and more features.

**Key features**:

* Separate trigger and sustain sensitivity
* Extended 25 metre range
* Distance and speed mode
* Micro-motion detection (breathing, typing)

**When to use**: For long-range detection scenarios or when micro-motion sensitivity is important.

### Seeed MR24HPC1

A sensor from Seeed Studio with scene-based presets and custom modes.

**Key features**:

* Pre-configured scene modes (living room, bedroom, bathroom, etc.)
* Custom mode support
* Movement confidence scoring
* Motion to static time control
* Sensitivity adjustment

**When to use**: If you prefer scene-based presets over manual tuning, or already have this sensor.

### Installing Alternative Sensor Firmware

To use an alternative sensor:


1. Go to the [EPL firmware page](https://everythingsmart.io/everything-presence-lite/)
2. Select the firmware variant matching your sensor (e.g., "LD2410", "SEN0395", etc.)
3. Follow the standard flashing procedure
4. Connect your alternative sensor to the EPL board


:::tip
After flashing alternative sensor firmware, the available entities in Home Assistant will be different from the standard LD2450 documentation. Refer to your sensor's specific features listed above.

:::

### Physical Installation

All supported sensors connect to the same header on the EPL board. Ensure proper orientation when connecting - the sensor pins should align with the marked slots on the PCB.

---

**Documents**

- [EP1 vs EPL: Which Sensor is Right for You?](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/ep1-vs-epl-which-sensor-is-right-for-you-5B3RxiY3Kp)
- [Everything Presence One (EP1)](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/everything-presence-one-ep1-3R178yZSUP)
- [Everything Presence Pro](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/everything-presence-pro-nh3fIXmow9)
- [Everything Presence Lite (EPL)](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/everything-presence-lite-epl-ZVnBzYzuX2)
- [Zone Configurator](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/zone-configurator-93b9scGsa2)
- [Knowledge Base Articles](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/knowledge-base-articles-KnRRmk4zvt)