DroneBridge for ESP32 Documentation

DroneBridge for ESP32 is a telemetry and low-data-rate firmware for ESP32 modules. It provides a bidirectional link (serial-to-WiFi, serial-to-WiFi Long-Range, serial-to-ESP-NOW, and Bluetooth LE) for communicating with drones, UAVs, or ground vehicles.

Key Capabilities:

• Protocols: Supports MAVLink, MSP, LTM, or any other payload via a transparent mode.
• Range: Up to 150m with standard WiFi, or up to 1km using ESP-NOW or Wi-Fi LR Mode (requires ESP32 with LR-Mode enabled on both ends).
• Security: All modes, including ESP-NOW broadcasts, are fully encrypted using AES-GCM 256-bit.
• Limitations: This is a telemetry-only solution; it does not support video encoding or cameras connected to the ESP32.

The Drone Light Show Edition (DLSE) is a specialized version of the firmware optimized for drone shows using Skybrush.

DLSE Features:

• Native support for Skybrush.
• Remote Power Management (sleep/wakeup) for show drones.
• Enhanced safety and reliability checks.
• Over The Air (OTA) updates for the ESP32.
• Support for WiFi6 (OFDMA) and 5GHz on compatible chips.
• Compatible with ESP32-C3, ESP32-C5, and ESP32-C6.
• Access to the DLSE Commercial Support Suite for managing and maintaining drone fleets.

DroneBridge acts as a serial-to-WiFi bridge. You can connect Ground Control Stations like QGroundControl or Mission Planner using the following methods:

• Automatic Connection: The ESP32 automatically sends data to all connected devices via UDP on port 14550. QGroundControl should auto-connect using this method.
• Manual Connection: To connect a GCS of your choice, use:
  • TCP on port 5760
  • UDP on port 14550
• UDP Endpoint Registration: If using UDP, the GCS must send at least one packet (such as a MAVLink heartbeat) to the ESP32's UDP port to register itself as an endpoint. You can also manually add a UDP target via the DroneBridge web interface.

To connect the ESP32 to your flight controller:

1. UART Connection: Connect the ESP32 UART to a 3.3V UART port on your flight controller.
   • Warning: Avoid using the ESP32 pins marked TX and RX if they are connected to the internal serial output. Use alternative GPIO pins instead.
2. Protocol Setup: Configure the flight controller port to use the desired protocol (e.g., MAVLink, MSP).
3. Powering: Ensure you follow the manufacturer's datasheet for your specific ESP32 module. Most modules require 3.3V, but some may support higher voltages. Always follow the specific recommendations of your ESP32 board manufacturer.

Once the firmware is flashed and hardware is wired, you can configure the device using its built-in web server:

1. Connect to WiFi: Connect your computer/device to the WiFi network named DroneBridge ESP32. The default password is dronebridge.
   • Note: You may need to disable cellular data on your device to force the browser to use the WiFi connection.
2. Access the Interface: Open a web browser and navigate to:
   • http://dronebridge.local (Use http:// explicitly in Chrome)
   • Or 192.168.2.1
3. Apply Settings: Make your desired changes in the web interface and click save to apply them.

To install the firmware, it is highly recommended to use the official online flashing tool provided by the project.

If you choose not to use the online tool, there are multiple alternative methods available for flashing the firmware, which can be found in the project wiki.

https://drone-bridge.com/flasher/