Waveshare RP2350-USB-A 433 MHz Universal RF Controller

Control 433 MHz radio-frequency (RF) devices like outlets with a standard USB keyboard, using a Waveshare RP2350-USB-A microcontroller running CircuitPython.

I built this as a replacement for the remotes of the various brands of RF outlets I have around the house, in order to control all from a single keyboard.

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How it works

The RP2350-USB-A sits between a USB keyboard and your computer (or headless, via dedicated USB power supply). As with a universal TV remote, button presses from the device’s RF remote are first recorded to individual keys on your keyboard, allowing subsequent keypresses to duplicate the same function.

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What you need

• Waveshare RP2350-USB-A running CircuitPython 10.x (can likely work with other RP2350 devices with USB host support)
• A 433 MHz receiver module (XY-MK-5V) wired to GP28
• A 433 MHz transmitter module (FS1000A) wired to GP29
• A USB keyboard plugged into the RP2350-USB-A's USB host port
• The neopixel.mpy library present in /lib on the board

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Files in this repository

File	Purpose
boot.py	Runs at power-on. Sets up USB host mode and controls whether the board's storage is writable from a PC.
code.py	The main program. Reads the keyboard, records RF signals, and replays them.
pcb/	Gerber file and EasyEDA project used to manufacture a custom PCB, instead of using a breadboard (so-named 'Project Makemake', per planetary-body naming convention of previous hardware-based repos of mine).
signals/	RF signals of products I currently use.

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Setup

1. Flash CircuitPython

Download CircuitPython 10.x for the Waveshare RP2350-USB-A board profile: https://circuitpython.org/board/waveshare_rp2350a/

• Hold BOOTSEL, plug into your PC, then release
• A drive called RPI-RP2 appears — drag the .UF2 onto it
• The board reboots and remounts as CIRCUITPY

2. Install libraries

Using circup (recommended):

pip install circup
circup install neopixel

Or manually copy into CIRCUITPY/lib/ from the Adafruit CircuitPython Bundle:

• neopixel.mpy

3. Deploy the files

Copy boot.py and code.py to the root of your CIRCUITPY drive. CircuitPython automatically runs boot.py first, then code.py on every boot.

boot.py initialises the USB host port and configures storage — it must live in the root of CIRCUITPY, not inside a subfolder.

4. Copy pre-made signals (optional)

Copy the signals/ folder to the root of your CIRCUITPY drive. Any .sig files inside will be loaded automatically at boot and immediately available as key bindings to the same key as the filename.

5. File structure

CIRCUITPY/
  boot.py              ← USB host init + storage config (runs before code.py)
  code.py              ← Main script
  signals/             ← Saved RF signals, one .sig file per key binding
    A.sig
    B.sig
    ...
  lib/
    neopixel.mpy       ← NeoPixel LED library

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Recording a new signal

1. Connect your keyboard and power the RP2350-USB-A.
2. Hold down the key you want to assign (e.g. A, SHIFT+1, F3) for 4 seconds.
3. The RP2350-USB-A's LED turns solid yellow, and the board is now listening for an RF signal.
4. Press and hold the button on your original remote while close to the RP2350-USB-A and receiver.
5. The LED flashes yellow twice on success, or red three times if it timed out (try again).

The signal is saved automatically to the signals/ folder, named after the key you've recorded it to, and re-assigned to the same key automatically across power-cycles. For example, A.sig or SHIFT_F1.sig. It can be opened in a text editor if you want to add a label or note, or backed up.

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Replaying a signal

Just press the key. The LED flashes blue briefly while transmitting, then goes off. If the blue LED is seen but the target device fails to respond, try re-recording.

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Pre-made signals

The signals/ folder contains recordings for a few products I currently own. Feel free to re-use them, naming them after the key to which they should be assigned.

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Transferring signal files to/from your PC

By default, the board's storage is not writable from your PC while the main program is running (this is required so the program itself can save new recordings).

To copy files to or from your PC, quickly tap the RST button followed by the BOOT button, within one second. The LED will pulse green to confirm safe mode. In this mode, neither boot.py nor code.py runs, so the board presents a normal writable CIRCUITPY drive on your computer. You can then drag .sig files in or out of the signals/ folder freely. Unplug and replug to return to normal operation.

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LED status guide

Colour	Meaning
White (single flash)	Board just powered on
Blue (5 flashes)	Starting up
Yellow (2 flashes)	Keyboard connected
Solid yellow	Waiting to record — point your remote at the receiver
Yellow (2 flashes)	Signal recorded successfully
Red (3 flashes)	Recording timed out — no signal detected
Blue (brief)	Replaying a signal
White (rapid)	An unexpected error occurred — connect via serial for details

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Adding or editing signals manually

Each .sig file in the signals/ folder is plain text, with one number per line representing pulse timings in microseconds. Lines starting with # are comments and are ignored. You can open any file in a text editor to add notes, or copy signal files from another device.

To delete a signal and thus remove a key's mapping, simply delete its .sig file.