The RX480-E breakout board provides an easy way to add remote control functionality to your devices.
This receiver operates without requiring additional external components, allowing it to receive and decode signals from an EV1527-compliant remote control.
Overview
The RX480-E is a compact breakout board designed to receive EV1527-compliant signals from remote controls. It can distinguish up to four unique signals, enabling control of up to four different functions.
The breakout board is often sold with a compatible remote control, but any EV1527-compliant remote control will work.
Frequency
The board is available in two primary frequency versions: 433 MHz (commonly used in Europe) and 315 MHz (used in the US and parts of Asia). The frequency is determined by a fixed crystal oscillator and cannot be changed.
Ensure that you select the correct version for your region and that your remote control operates at the same frequency.
| Frequency (MHz) | Crystal Frequency (MHz) | Region |
|---|---|---|
| 315.00 | 10.245 (factor 30) or 12.000 (factor 26) | US, Asia |
| 433.92 | 6.7458 (factor 64) or 13.225 (factor 32) | Europe |
| 868.35 | 26.000 (factor 33), or 32.768 (factor 27) | Rarely used |
If you are unsure about your board’s frequency, check the crystal, which typically has its frequency laser-engraved on the housing. The crystal frequency is multiplied by a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) circuit (typically by a factor of 32) to achieve the final transmission frequency.
Cheap remote controls often use readily available industry-standard crystals. The multiplication factor may not exactly result in the desired frequency. Deviations around 1MHz can be tolerated, though, and PLL can further adjust the final reception frequency.
Pins and Wiring
The board features seven pins plus a solder pad for an antenna, labeled ANT on the back.
Adding an Antenna
Always operate the receiver with an antenna. If no designated antenna is available, you can use a simple 17.3 cm wire for 433 MHz or a 23.8 cm wire for 315 MHz.
Most boards come without an antenna pre-soldered. Without one, reception is poor, and the receiver may not detect signals from the remote control at all.
Pinout
The pins are labeled on the back of the board:
| Pin | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GND | Ground (negative pole) |
| 2 | +V | Power supply (3.3V–5V) |
| 3 | D0 | High when channel 1 is enabled |
| 4 | D1 | High when channel 2 is enabled |
| 5 | D2 | High when channel 3 is enabled |
| 6 | D3 | High when channel 4 is enabled |
| 7 | VT | High when receiving any valid code |
Note that in default Push mode, D0-D3 and VT behave similarly and are high for as long as a signal is received. Once you switch to a different latching mode, though, D0-D3 and VT can differ considerably: now, D0-D3 represent the channels’ state (in self-locking latch mode, this can be high even though no signal is received anymore), whereas VT is always high for as long as any valid signal is being received.
Note also that the receiver may assign buttons to the pins D0-D3 not in the order in which they have been paired.
Connecting Power
Connect GND and +V to a 3.3V–5V power source. The onboard red LED will blink once, then turn off.
Understanding the Output Pins
The pins D0 through D3 correspond to four unique codes sent by the remote control. When the receiver detects a signal for a specific code, the corresponding pin goes high.
The VT (Valid Transmission) pin serves as an indicator:
- It turns high whenever any valid remote code is received.
- It remains high only while the signal is being received.
- If the receiver is set to latch mode, VT will not reflect the output state.
Pairing the Receiver
Before the receiver can respond to remote control button presses, it must be paired with the remote. During this process, the receiver “learns” and stores the unique codes transmitted by the remote control.
If the receiver was previously used, consider resetting it to factory defaults to clear any stored codes before pairing a new remote.
Factory Reset
Before working with the receiver, it’s recommended to reset it to factory defaults. This ensures no previously stored settings interfere with operation.
To reset the receiver, press the button eight times. Each time the button is pressed, the red onboard LED lights up. After the eighth press, the LED will blink four times after a brief delay, confirming a successful reset.
Pairing
The receiver must be paired with the remote control before use.
The pairing process applies to one remote control button at a time, so if you want to pair multiple buttons (up to four), repeat the process for each one.
Pairing Process
- Press and hold the receiver’s button for one second, then release it. The onboard LED will turn on after a short delay.
- Press the desired button on the remote control. The receiver LED will blink three times, confirming successful pairing. The receiver then returns to normal receiving mode.
Now, press the paired button on the remote again—the receiver LED will light up as long as you hold the button.
Repeat this process for up to three additional buttons.
The receiver stores new button codes without erasing existing ones until all four memory slots are full. If you’re pairing a new remote control or changing the latching mode, reset the receiver first to clear previous codes.
Troubleshooting
- Cannot Pair Remote Control
- Check frequency compatibility: Ensure the receiver and remote control operate on the same frequency (e.g., 433 MHz or 315 MHz). If in doubt, check the crystal oscillator.
- Antenna required: Attach an antenna to the receiver. Without one, signal reception is significantly reduced.
- Check remote control batteries: Weak or dead batteries can prevent proper signal transmission.
- No LED Response When Pressing Remote Control Button
- Ensure proper pairing: If the receiver LED does not light up, try resetting the receiver and re-pairing the button.
- Check antenna connection: Without an antenna, the receiver may not detect signals from the remote control.
- No Signal on D0–D3 Pins:
If pressing a paired button does not produce a high signal on any D0–D3 pin:- Try a different pin: The receiver may not assign button codes in the exact order they were paired. Test all D0–D3 outputs.
Identifying the Problem: Receiver vs. Remote Control
- Receiver Diagnostics
- Perform a reset: Does the red LED blink four times after resetting? If not, the receiver may be faulty.
- Verify power connection: Ensure the receiver is properly powered (3.3V–5V).
- Remote Control (Sender) Diagnostics
- Check antenna & range: If possible, attach an antenna to the remote. Move the remote closer to the receiver to rule out range issues.
- Repeat the pairing process: Confirm that the receiver LED reacts to button presses.
- Test with another remote: If available, try pairing a different EV1527-compatible remote control (e.g., garage door remotes) to confirm if the issue lies with the remote.
Optimizing Signal Range
Once pairing is successful, test the signal range by moving further from the receiver. If the range is too short:
- Ensure both receiver and remote control have proper antennas.
- Check for signal interference from nearby electronics or other RF devices.
With proper setup and tuning, the receiver should reliably detect remote control signals over a long distance.
Setting Operating Mode (Latch Mode)
By default, the receiver operates in push button mode: the output pin remains high for as long as the button on the remote control is pressed. Once released, the output pin returns to LOW—just like a push button or momentary switch. This mode is ideal for toggle actions such as garage doors or Home Assistant, where only a brief impulse is required.
Depending on your needs, the board supports many alternative latching modes:
| Mode | Number of Button Presses | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button | 1 | (Default) The selected channel stays on only while the remote control signal is received. |
| Self-Locking | 2 | Each button press toggles the state between on and off. |
| Mutual Exclusive | 3 | Similar to self-locking, but activating one channel automatically turns the previous one off. Only one channel can be active at a time. So if Channel 1 is on and you activate Channel 2, Channel 1 turns off automatically. |
| 2xPush & 2xSelf-Locking | 4 | Two channels operate in push button mode, while the other two use self-locking mode. |
| 2xPush & 2xMutual Exclusive | 5 | Two channels function in push button mode, and two in mutual exclusive mode. |
| 2xSelf-Locking & 2xMutual Exclusive | 6 | Two channels work in self-locking mode, while the remaining two use mutual exclusive mode. |
Changing Operation Mode
A new operation mode can only be set when the receiver is in factory default mode, so you must reset it first:
Press the button eight times. The LED blinks four times to confirm the reset was successful.
Now, to set a new operation mode, press the button the number of times corresponding to the desired mode (see table above).
For example:
- To set all four buttons to self-locking mode, press the button twice.
- To configure two buttons as push mode and two as mutual exclusive, press it five times.
After setting the latch mode, the receiver immediately enters pairing mode for the first remote control button. The red LED lights up, indicating it is ready to pair. Press the desired button on the remote control to complete pairing. If successful, the LED blinks three times.
Repeat the pairing process for up to three additional remote control buttons by pressing the button again and repeating the pairing steps.
The built-in LED lights up only when a paired remote control button is pressed. It does not indicate whether a channel remains on or off after the signal is received.
Technical Data
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 3.3-5V |
| Frequency | 433MHz or 315MHz |
| Operating Current | 5mA |
| Modulation Mode | AM (OOK) |
| Transmission Rate | EV1527 |
| Size | 28x12.3x5mm |
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(content created Apr 19, 2024 - last updated Mar 08, 2025)