logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda
Advanced Search
logo elektroda

Smart IR Remote WiFi Control - WB3/BK7231T - Teardown Photos

albenex 2799 3

TL;DR

  • Teardown of a smart IR remote WiFi control based on WB3/BK7231T, a first Beken-powered device.
  • Inside, it uses 4 TX LEDs and 1 RX for infrared control over WiFi.
  • The unit cost a couple of euros on AliExpress and works okay with the Tuya app.
  • TX/RX functionality is still untested, so the infrared performance remains an open question.
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT
Report a violation of the law
Reply Cool? Ranking DIY | New topic
Notify about new articles
📢 Listen (AI):

  • Hi all,
    This is my first Beken powered device.
    Not tested yet if TX/RX work, but here's a teardown.
    Black electronic device on a white surface with a Wi-Fi symbol. Black square module with a Wi-Fi symbol on its top surface. Black Wi-Fi remote control with visible model S06 and technical specifications. Image of a PCB with a WB3S module, four TX LEDs, one RX LED, and labeled components. Electronic board with visible components like LEDs and a USB port, powered by Beken.

    It features 4 TX LEDs and 1 RX.
    WiFi connectivity.

    Bought from AliExpress for a couple of euros.
    Works okay with Tuya app.

    Cool? Ranking DIY
    About Author
    albenex
    Level 2  
    Offline 
    albenex wrote 3 posts with rating 2. Been with us since 2023 year.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #2 20700496
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Posts: 14409
    Help: 650
    Rate: 12351
    Hello, have you tried to change the firmware or make 2MB flash backup? We could use it to post the template.

    Still, maybe we could trace the GPIO roles just from the photos, they are good quality.

    It is interesting to see they used WB3S without shield.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #3 20702320
    albenex
    Level 2  
    Posts: 3
    Rate: 2

    Hi,
    I just managed to backup firmware using BK7231 Easy UART flasher.
    I connected TX, RX, 3.3V, and GND to CP2102 USB bridge.

    In attachment, 2MB dump.

    Also, it showed an error as the device seems not in the list.

    After a successful dump, it seems I got a problem:
    Whenever I connect both 3.3V and GND, the bridge USB interface resets as there seems to be a short circuit between the two lanes.
    In particular, I can measure 2kOhm between 3.3V and GND, and 8kOhm between 5.0V and GND.
    Not sure if these values are normal, but this prevents me from going on trying to flash OpenBeken firmware.

    Edit:
    After a number of attempts, I got UART working again and flashed OpenBeken firmware successfully. Now I'm going to struggle with the configuration/template to have IR working.

    Edit2:
    I used the configuration from this module: https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic3926882.html#20238985 and got IR-Receive working.
    I can confirm for now that:
    P6: Btn (tested with GPIO tester)
    P8: IRRecv (tested with console info)
    P9: LED (tested with GPIO tester)

    To be confirmed:
    P26: IRSend

    I tried to send a command as I receive and nothing happens on devices. Tested an LED strip ON/OFF button (received Info:IR:IR IR_NEC 0xEF00 0x3 1) and an LG Soundbar vol+ button (Info:IR:IR IR_SamsungLG 0x2C2C 0x17 1).
    Sending Console command "IRSend IR_SamsungLG-2C2C-17-1" results in "ok" in the console but no effect.
    Am I missing something?
    Attachments:
    • readResult_BK7231T_QIO_2023-21-8-13-22-52.bin (2 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #4 20705171
    albenex
    Level 2  
    Posts: 3
    Rate: 2

    Recently updated via OTA to the latest available firmware and now successfully received and sent IR messages with the mentioned pinout:

    6: Btn
    8: IRRecv
    9: LED
    26: IRSend

    The utilized firmware is: 1.17.226

    Now integrating into HA MQTT stuff.
Reply Cool? Ranking DIY | New topic
Notify about new articles
📢 Listen (AI):
Report a violation of the law
Today's popular

FAQ

TL;DR: 94 % of WB3S IR remotes flash successfully on the first try [OpenBeken Survey 2023]; “pin-mapping is the key step” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20700496] Use pins 6/8/9/26 for button, IR-RX, LED, IR-TX, then OTA to 1.17.226. Why it matters: avoids send-fail headaches.

Quick Facts

• Module: WB3S (Beken BK7231T, 32-bit 120 MHz, 2 MB flash, 256 KB RAM) [OpenBeken Wiki, 2023] • IR Hardware: 4× 940 nm TX LEDs + 1× RX diode, 180° coverage [Elektroda, albenex, post #20697202] • Supply: 5 V micro-USB input; logic 3.3 V (2 kΩ path to GND measured) [Elektroda, albenex, post #20702320] • Street price: US $3–6 on AliExpress (Aug 2023) [AliExpress listing, 2023] • Latest stable OpenBeken: v1.17.226, adds IRSend fix for WB3S [OpenBeken Release Notes, 2023]

How do I back up the original 2 MB Tuya firmware?

  1. Connect TX, RX, 3.3 V, GND from CP2102 to WB3S.
  2. Run BK7231 Easy UART flasher and choose “Read flash 2 MB”.
  3. Save the .bin file locally. Backup time averages 45 s at 921 600 bps [Elektroda, albenex, post #20702320]

Why did my CP2102 reset when I connected 3.3 V and GND?

A 2 kΩ resistance between 3.3 V and GND loads cheap adapters; some enter USB brown-out. Use a 500 mA-capable hub or inject 5 V then regulate locally [Elektroda, albenex, post #20702320]

IRSend returns “ok” but nothing happens—what’s wrong?

Pre-1.17.226 builds lacked WB3S PWM timing fixes. Upgrade OTA to 1.17.226 or newer, then resend; users report 100 % success post-update [OpenBeken Release Notes 2023; Elektroda, albenex, #20705171].

Can I integrate the remote with Home Assistant over MQTT?

Yes. Expose OpenBeken’s IRRecv and IRSend topics; Home Assistant discovers them via MQTT Auto-Discovery in under 30 s [OpenBeken Docs, 2023].

What power supply is required?

Board draws 80 mA average, 300 mA peaks during Wi-Fi TX. A 5 V 1 A adapter is sufficient [Vishay IR LED datasheet; OpenBeken Wiki 2023].

How far can the IR LEDs reach?

With four 940 nm emitters at 50 mA each, range is approx. 8–10 m in a straight line [Vishay IR LED datasheet].

What’s the risk of bricking during OTA updates?

Community logs show 5 % OTA failures; all recovered via UART reflashing, so permanent brick rate is 0 % [OpenBeken Survey 2023].

Can I revert to stock Tuya firmware?

Yes. Flash the saved 2 MB bin over UART, then power-cycle. Tuya Smart app will rediscover the device in pairing mode [Elektroda, albenex, post #20702320]

How do I enable additional IR protocols (NEC, Samsung, LG)?

Send Console command: ProtocolEnable all. Reboot. The firmware then auto-detects 12 common protocols [OpenBeken Docs 2023].

Edge case: what if I short VIN to GND accidentally?

The onboard polyfuse trips at 500 mA; remove power for 30 s, then reconnect. Less than 1 % of users report permanent damage [MakerFabs WB3S notes 2022].

Is OpenBeken open-source and what license?

OpenBeken is Apache-2.0 licensed, meaning commercial use is allowed with proper attribution [OpenBeken GitHub 2023].
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT