Universal remote control duplicator

This is a typical photo of the outer case and inner circuit of a fixed-frequency garage door opener remote control.
Photo of a multi-frequency universal remote control duplicator that works from 286 MHz to 868 MHz, manufactured by Creasol

A universal radio frequency remote control duplicator is capable of copying most fixed code or learning code RF remote controls face to face, and can be used in many circumstances, such as cars, gates, garage door openers, traffic barriers, home security systems, etc. so the user will always have a backup remote control. A typical remote control duplicator / self-learning copy remote is operated at 433.92 MHz / 315 MHz frequency, which is commonly used by garage door opener manufacturers, however the frequency band 44 MHz to 432 MHz cannot be used in the EU. Universal remote control duplicators can be divided into three groups:

  1. Fixed-frequency, single frequency universal remote control duplicators, which can duplicate different remote controls that transmit in the same frequency (e.g. 433.92 MHz, or 315 MHz, or 868.350 MHz)
  2. Variable frequency, single frequency universal remote control duplicators, which can duplicate different remote control that transmit in the same frequency which can be tuned by the user (usually by a capacitor trimmer used to change the frequency): be care about frequency stability and tuning! Often used between 287 MHz and 390 MHz
  3. Multi-Frequency universal remote control duplicators, which have a PLL/VCO inside that permits to operate in different frequency, even one frequency for each button: in this way it's possible, for example, to have button 1 which transmits at 433.92 MHz, button 2 at 868.3 MHz, button 3 at 315 MHz, button 4 at 300 MHz.

It is very useful to duplicate original remote transmitters to reduce costs. Despite the potentials, a self-learning remote control duplicator is less expensive than original devices, and also permits to integrate several different remotes into one single transmitter.

Finding Duplicating Position

The most common problems user will encounter when using a RF duplicating keyfob, is that sometimes, the cloning keyfob still can't successfully copy the signal after several tries. To save time and improve success rate, user needs to know the most common duplicating positions of remotes, together with the background information.

Key specifications

Encoder IC Compatibility List

The following list show some of the standard encoders used to generate the code to be transmitted by a RF remote control. Although these are standard encoders, some RF remote control manufacturers use their own non-standard encodings, which often can be duplicated by universal remote controls as well.

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