In this example we connect a PIR module up to our Raspberry PI, this is quite a simple module to connect as it requires only 5v, Gnd and the output is PI friendly so does not require any level shifting.
A passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view. They are most often used in PIR-based motion detectors.
Here is a typical PIR which can be commonly found on the internet and is used in many projects. This is known as the HC-SR501 PIR MOTION DETECTOR
Interestingly the sensor can be adjusted using the 2 pots on it which you can see underneath
Adjust the distance potentiometer clockwise rotation, increased sensing distance (about 7 meters), on the contrary, the sensing distance decreases (about 3 meters).
Adjust the delay potentiometer clockwise rotation sensor the delay lengthened (300S), on the contrary, shorten the induction delay (5S).
Induction module needs a minute or so to initialize. During initializing time, it will output 0-3 times. One minute later it comes into standby.
Schematic
Here is a schematic and layout drawn up using fritzing
Code
The code is written in python and requires the Rpi.GPIO library to be present. I called this pir.py
import time
import RPi.GPIO as io
io.setmode(io.BCM)
pir = 18
io.setup(pir, io.IN) # activate input
while True:
if io.input(pir):
print("INTRUDER, INTRUDER, INTRUDER!")
time.sleep(0.5)
Run this by typing the following on the command line
sudo python pir.py
Here is the example running and you can see the sensor detecting me moving in front of it
Link
A low cost sensor that can easily be picked up for about $2 each
HC-SR501 Adjust IR Pyroelectric Infrared PIR Module Motion Detector Sensor