Would this work with a Matress firm base?

[anthony6608]

Hi guys,

Thank you for this project. I am looking to control my base from Alexa or just a simple arduino however my base is the following kind:

https://www.mattressfirm.com/mattress-firm/600-adjustable-base/mfi131970.html

The remote FCC ID is: https://fccid.io/2AJJGHJC0 (although I don't see my actual remote pictured here, this is the FCC ID printed on the remote) I've never played with wireless frequencies however from what I can tell its a 2.4Ghz remote? I am just not sure where/how to get started.

I would appreciate any help you guys can offer me!

Thank you, Tony

[jlboygenius]

Looking at the FCC pictures of the internals of the remote, I can see that there is a similar (but different) wireless transceiver in the remote. I can also tell that it uses SPI for communication, which is the same as my remote.

The module looks different, but might just be a newer version of the same thing. There are a lot of wireless protocols that use the same 2.4ghz frequency (wifi, bluetooth, etc), so it could be anything.

Since your remote does not have DIP switches, it's probably not the same as the one used for this project, and this exact code probably won't work. The process I went through to get mine to work will be the same for you though.

Luckily, the remote you have has the wireless module as a separate item, which you can remove. If you can't find it for sale online somewhere, I suggest buying a second remote and getting it to work with your bed.

I used a logic analyzer to see what the communication protocol for the remote was. You can get a Logic Analyzer on ebay that plugs into your computer. They are <$10. There are fancier ones, but the cheapest one worked for me. Saleae makes software you can use. You can also get a nice logic analyzer from them, but the cheap ebay one worked fine.

To connect the logic analyzer to the remote, I soldered some small wires to the pads where the wireless module attaches to the main remote board. Since this looks like it uses SPI, you'll need to connect 5 wires. Page 18 on the "internal photos v2" document shows you what the pins are.

In the logic analyzer software, you can set which pins are connected and what they are. Select SPI, and it will let you set it up.

Connect the logic analyzer to the remote, and sniff the traffic that is sent when you power up the remote, and when a button is pressed. You can also use this to listen to the traffic that is sent by another remote. From there, you can just repeat those commands back to the wireless module, and it will send them out.

When I sniffed the traffic sent to the wireless module, I noticed that only 2 things ever changed - the DIP selector code (used if you have more than 2 beds, so they know who you are talking to), and the code for the button you pressed.

If you notice that the commands sent match the ones on my remote, you should be able to use my code. If it's different, you'll have to write your own code to communicate with the wireless module. Likely, someone has already written a library for it.

I started using a basic arduino to get it working and then transfered that to a Particle Photon. Anything will work, I just like how easy they are to program and their API. An ESP32 would also work great. There are lots of examples of connecting to Alexa. I connected mine to my SmartThings home control system, and to alexa from that.

I think the first thing you need to do is identify the transceiver chip. If you can read the print on the actual chip that would help. Open up your remote and google anything you see printed on it. Mine said cc2500 on it, so that was a big help.

I can't tell what the module is from the FCC pictures, but it isn't something unique to these remotes. You should be able to find out what it is, its communication protocol, and if someone has written and arduino library for it.

Let me know if I can help with anything! I'm not sure what your skill level is, but you'll certainly learn a lot from this type of project. It will take some time to figure out, but it's doable and isn't expensive. All the tools and parts needed would be less than $20.

[jlboygenius]

I looked at some more of the FCC docs, and one mentioned component A7105, which appears to be a 2.4ghz wireless transceiver (MD7105 is another name).

This isn't the same as the one that I used, but it is cheap and there are arduino libraries for it. You could wire one up to an arduino and have it print out any communication it gets. Push some buttons on your bed remote, and you should see what the commands are.

Good Luck!

[anthony6608]

Hey

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out with this! I really appreciate it.

As I mentioned, I’m not too familiar with wireless but I will try to take your instructions to get it done.

So I managed to open the remote today so we can get a closer look. It seems the chip is mounted and not separate. Please let me know what you think and what you think I should order besides the analyzer as I am ordering that now.

Thank you again in advance

(Sorry I was having issues posting the pictures, please see below URLS)

https://ibb.co/prSfhSF https://ibb.co/Qp8wvtB https://ibb.co/vhxBR7T https://ibb.co/qryGcGR https://ibb.co/YhZwHJp https://ibb.co/VLn4n3x https://ibb.co/QDYybxq https://ibb.co/19KRvZb

[anthony6608]

Here are the pics I managed to upload. The IBB links also work. I'm not sure but it seems they make different kinds of remotes and might be using different chipsets in each one? Is my remote using the same chip you referred? The docs are a little messy and confusing to me. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[jlboygenius]

Ah, I guessed right! It is an A7105 board. Mine was a CC2500, so the code won't work with yours. Looks like there are libraries for the A7105 board, so you should be able to make your own controller. The library will help you connect to the A7105 and send it commands. The logic analyzer will help you figure out what those commands are.

Don't remove the blue board, you'll want to use the logic analyzer to see what the communication between the remote and that board is. I soldered little wires onto the solder points between the blue board and the bigger black board, and connected those wires to the logic analyzer.

check ebay for A7105 transceiver. Get one that is an entire module (kinda like the blue chip in your remote, not just a bare chip). Looks like there are lots of them and they are cheap. Might take a bit to ship. You should also pick up an ESP32. There are examples on how to use an ESP32 to act like a light for alexa.

[anthony6608]

Good job! I wasn't sure myself. Thanks a lot man! I'll take that as good news. So, as of now I just have to order 'any' analyzer and the A7105 transceiver. That's it, right?

Ahhh man, as far as Ebay goes the closest transceiver is in China :/

Just to confirm with you these are the two I plan on ordering. Let me know if I need to get anything different please:

ESP32 (with webcam?)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ESP32-Cam-WiFi-Bluetooth-Module-Development-Board-with-OV2640-Camera-Module/153871112298?epid=10033648898&hash=item23d36ed86a:g:RCIAAOSw2jBedDYm

A7105 https://www.ebay.com/itm/MD7105-SY-A7105-2-4G-Wireless-Transceiver-Module3-3V-Better-Than-CC2500-NRF24L01/293405614849?hash=item4450566301:g:kO8AAOSwQj9eDpOC

Analyzer from Amazon (I know nothing about these so not sure if this is even the one i need):

https://www.amazon.com/NOYITO-Analyzer-Device-Channel-Arduino/dp/B07C4DTWLV/ref=sr_1_27?crid=1LIIMK8GISZYH&dchild=1&keywords=logic+analyzer&qid=1588983851&sprefix=logic+ana%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-27

I may have some NRF24L01 or similar transceivers laying around. Would it be possible to use one of these? Ill order the others anyways but figured if its possible since I am home on lockdown right now I wouldnt mind trying a different model if I have it on hand? If you can maybe point me to one that is local on Amazon/ebay Ill just order it.

Thank you again I really appreciate you taking the time to help me get this going.

[anthony6608]

Btw, I double-checked but can't seem to find any of the A7105 in the USA. If you manage to find one shipped from the US or something else I can use let me know and I'll order. Thanks!

[jlboygenius]

I'd skip the camera model of the esp32 and just get the regular one. There's more documentaiton on the pinout of the normal ESP32's. You'll need to use the SPI pins, so you don't want to use an ESP that might use those pins for something else (like camera or oled screen). I'd start with something basic and work up to it. I got a proof of concept working with a basic arduino first, and then build a second one.

Finding a A7105 locally is probably tricky. Looks like there are two models, the ones with the little antenna look easier to solder things to, and have antenna for better range. Either will probably work fine. I got my cc2500's from ebay and they took a bit to ship (and that was in simplier times). They are cheap, so I'd probably buy a few different ones and see which arrives first (also good to have a backup, or want to make a second one).

I found it useful to have 2 of them. I had one setup to send signals, and another setup to receive them. I used the one setup to receive to check that my device was actually sending signals that matched the remote's signals. Maybe not 100% necessary, but it was helpful to confirm that everything was working.

That analyzer looks like the same one I have, and works well with Saleae Logic software (which is nicer than the one listed on that amazon page).

I don't think the NRF24L01 will work. As I understand it, they use the same frequency, but speak different languages ( kinda like bluetooth vs wifi). Can't hurt to wire one up and see if it can receive signals from your remote.

[anthony6608]

Hey

Thanks for the response!

Alright so I ordered 3 birds from different sellers in China.

I also ordered a regular ESP32 and the logic analyzer I linked to on Amazon. Analyzer will be here Monday but the other parts will take a few weeks to a month I suppose. I find it weird that no US sellers have them but I guess it’s not that popular of an item.

I hope you and your family are staying safe in this pandemic. I will touch base with you as I move forward. I’ll maybe play with the logic analyzer this week to try and get the codes from the remite. If I have time I’ll try to play with the other module I have and hopefully it will be able to pick up the codes.

Thank you again! Tony

[anthony6608]

I'd skip the camera model of the esp32 and just get the regular one. There's more documentaiton on the pinout of the normal ESP32's. You'll need to use the SPI pins, so you don't want to use an ESP that might use those pins for something else (like camera or oled screen). I'd start with something basic and work up to it. I got a proof of concept working with a basic arduino first, and then build a second one.

Finding a A7105 locally is probably tricky. Looks like there are two models, the ones with the little antenna look easier to solder things to, and have antenna for better range. Either will probably work fine. I got my cc2500's from ebay and they took a bit to ship (and that was in simplier times). They are cheap, so I'd probably buy a few different ones and see which arrives first (also good to have a backup, or want to make a second one).

I found it useful to have 2 of them. I had one setup to send signals, and another setup to receive them. I used the one setup to receive to check that my device was actually sending signals that matched the remote's signals. Maybe not 100% necessary, but it was helpful to confirm that everything was working.

That analyzer looks like the same one I have, and works well with Saleae Logic software (which is nicer than the one listed on that amazon page).

I don't think the NRF24L01 will work. As I understand it, they use the same frequency, but speak different languages ( kinda like bluetooth vs wifi). Can't hurt to wire one up and see if it can receive signals from your remote.

I actually forgot to ask, did you happen to find a library for the A1705? I did a search and couldn’t seem to find one but then again I’m not entirely sure what it is I’m looking for lol.

[anthony6608]

For the logic analyzer could I just connect any channel to any button or do I have to connect in a specific way? Thanks

[jlboygenius]

The logic software will make suggestions when you tell it to decode SPI, but you change it in software to tell it which pins are which. I used Saleae's software.

[anthony6608]

Never mind my last comment. I was able to read the model on the chip itself and they match. I’ll most likely have questions as I make progress so please forgive me. I’m actually new to all of this.

As you suggested, I will go ahead and connect the chip of the remote to my analyzer to see what happens. Will document my progress for others as well.

[anthony6608]

Actually I just realized... I don’t have any “pins” on my ordered board. How/where would I solder to? Even the remote.. the A1705 board doesn't have a pinout diagram where the solder points are. Is there a way to figure out which pin is which on it? Sorry for the noob questions.

[thazlett]

Did you ever get anywhere with this @anthony6608?

[mase1981]

Jumping in, @anthony6608 were you able to figure it out eventually?

[jlboygenius]

should be doable. Just keep in mind that a CC2500 chip is pretty small. Soldering to it will be tricky.

if you can get that part done, there is code to make it work with MQTT or as an ESPHome Device. You can also control it from any arduino code.

The SmartThings interface won't work anymore. SmartThings has changed their interface.