A compact wireless USB receiver can fit radio communication, USB connectivity, a small controller and program memory into one chip. Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF24LU1+ is a documented example: it combines those functions in a 5 × 5 mm package, while still requiring a crystal, RF matching circuitry and an antenna. It is an older design example, not a claim about what is inside every wireless mouse or other 2.4 GHz receiver.
How does a 2.4 GHz USB dongle work?
A USB dongle has to do two different jobs: communicate wirelessly with a peripheral and communicate with the computer over USB. A conventional design may use separate components for the radio, USB interface, controller and memory. Nordic designed the nRF24LU1+ to bring those functions together in one chip.
The chip integrates an nRF24L01+ 2.4 GHz RF transceiver, a full-speed USB 2.0-compliant device controller, an 8-bit microcontroller and either 16 or 32 kB of flash. The radio handles the wireless link; the USB controller handles the connection to the host; and firmware on the microcontroller coordinates the device’s behavior. Nordic describes it as a single-chip solution for compact USB dongles in its nRF24LU1+ Product Specification.
One package, not a bare-chip finished product
Integrating the main functions can reduce external components and board space, but the chip does not eliminate the surrounding RF design. Nordic’s specification lists a 16 MHz crystal, matching circuitry and an antenna among the remaining design elements. It also says the chip can be powered directly from USB using an internal voltage regulator, which can reduce the need for external power components.
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- 2.4G Wireless USB Receiver – Replacement receiver for wireless keyboard and mouse sets from KNOWSQT, SADES, LETTON, MOFII, SkyGive, Nowlike, and Hotfox. ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Compatibility Note: Only compatible with keyboard and mouse sets from⚠️ before March 2026⚠️.
- Model-Specific Compatibility – ⚠️ Only works with the two keyboard models shown in the product images. All color variations of these two models are supported, but other styles or designs from these brands are not compatible.
- Easy Plug-and-Play – Simply insert the receiver into your computer’s USB port to restore your keyboard and mouse connection. No driver required.
- Quick Pairing Method – Step 1: Plug the receiver into the USB port. Step 2: Reinstall the batteries of the keyboard and mouse to complete pairing.
- Important Reminder – This receiver does not support other brands or models outside the listed ones. It is for 2.4G wireless devices only and cannot be used as a Bluetooth adapter or storage device.
Radio speed and USB speed are different links
The specification gives the radio an air data rate of 2 Mbps and the USB interface a full-speed rate of up to 12 Mbps. These figures describe separate connections: the radio communicates with the peripheral, while USB connects the dongle to the host. The USB figure does not mean the wireless link runs at 12 Mbps.
What is the nRF24LU1+ used for?
Nordic lists PC peripherals, sports accessories and game peripherals as application areas, with examples such as wireless mice, game controllers and media-center remotes with displays. The specified operating band is 2.400–2.4835 GHz, commonly described as the 2.4 GHz ISM band. These are design applications and specifications, not evidence that a particular retail product uses this chip or achieves a particular range, latency or reliability.
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- Pairing Process: 1) Keyboard: Switch the keyboard to be on and press Esc+k, the indicator of the keyboard is blinking. Move the Keyboard close to the USB port and insert the USB receiver to the USB port. 2) Mouse: Switch the mouse to be off, press and hold the right button and the wheel, turn on the mouse wait 2 seconds to release the holding, the indicator of the mouse is blinking. Move the mouse close to the USB port and insert the USB receiver to the USB port.
- Arteck Only: This nano USB receiver is for Arteck 2.4G wireless products like keyboard or mouse, it's not suitable for other brands keyboard or mouse. It's not suitable for Arteck GW28-3, HD323, K730, HW197, HD197, MD167, MD172 or Bluetooth keyboard or mouse. If you are unsure, please contact the seller before ordering the USB receiver.
- Manually Setup: If you have problem to connect the USB to the Arteck keyboard or mouse, please contact the seller before returning the product as there's the way to pair the USB to the keyboard and the mouse manually if it fails to connect automatically.
The cited specification is revision 1.1, dated January 2009. It documents the chip’s design characteristics; it does not establish current stock, support, or the components inside today’s wireless receivers.
Can an nRF24L01+ module work as a USB dongle?
Not by itself. The nRF24L01+ is the radio component. The nRF24LU1+ is the more integrated device that adds a USB controller, microcontroller and flash. A typical nRF24L01+ module can be useful for radio experiments, but it needs a separate host controller and appropriate firmware to provide a USB device connection. It is not a drop-in USB receiver equivalent to the nRF24LU1+ design.
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- Lekvey Only: Lekvey 2.4GHz USB Receiver ONLY compatible with Lekvey wireless mice ( Brand only, Not for M550, M550 Pro Series )
- Ergonomic Comfort Design: Lekvey ergonomic mouse contoured shape reduces hand and wrist strain, providing lasting comfort for work and extended use.
- USB Connectivity: Lekvey ergonomic mouse is connected via USB Receiver for easy use
- Stable Connection: Provides a reliable 2.4GHz wireless connection, no drivers needed. Simply plug in the USB receiver, and you're ready to go, plug and play
- Please Note: This is a USB Receiver-only listing; the mouse is not included.
| Option | Integration and host connection | What it is suited to |
|---|---|---|
| nRF24L01+ radio module | Radio-focused module; typically connects to a separate host controller rather than enumerating directly as a USB device. | Radio experiments with a suitable host platform. The module alone is not a complete USB receiver. |
| nRF24LU1+ | Radio, USB device controller, 8-bit MCU and 16 or 32 kB flash in one chip; USB firmware upgrade support is specified. | A compact receiver design requiring USB device capability and a 2.4 GHz radio, with external RF and clock components still needed. |
Is the nRF24LU1+ a good choice for a new design?
Nordic currently marks the nRF24 series “Not recommended for new designs” on its nRF24 Series page. That is a lifecycle warning for engineers considering a new product; it does not mean existing devices using the family have stopped working. The older product specification is useful for understanding the integration approach, not for confirming present-day availability or support.
A current development platform is not the same receiver
Nordic’s separate nRF52840 Dongle is development hardware, not the nRF24LU1+ and not an identical retail peripheral receiver. Nordic documents support for Bluetooth 5.4, Bluetooth mesh, Thread, Zigbee, 802.15.4, ANT and proprietary 2.4 GHz protocols; see its nRF52840 Dongle hardware guide. It is a separate platform to evaluate for development work, rather than a direct replacement for a finished mouse or controller receiver.
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- AC600 Nano size wireless Dual band USB Wi-Fi adapter for fast and high speed Wi-Fi connection.
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- Bluetooth 5.4 + Broad Compatibility - Provides Bluetooth 5.4 plus EDR technology and is backward compatible with Bluetooth V5.3/5.0/4.2/4.0/3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1.
- Faster Speed, Extended Range - Get up to 2x faster data transfer and 4x broader coverage compared to Bluetooth 4.0 — perfect for smooth audio streaming and stable connections.
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What to check when evaluating a compact receiver design
- Integration: Determine whether the part is only a radio or also includes USB, processing and memory.
- Host connection: A radio module generally needs a host controller; an integrated USB device can connect to a computer over USB with suitable firmware.
- Board requirements: Account for the antenna, RF matching and crystal even when the main functions are integrated.
- Lifecycle: Check the manufacturer’s current status before choosing a component for a new design.
- Intended product: Distinguish development hardware from a finished peripheral receiver. A specification alone does not establish real-world range, latency, interference performance, security or compatibility.
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