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Quick Start

Fastest way to get started with DroneBridge for ESP32, plus links to the detailed guides.

This page is the fastest way to get started with the general-purpose DroneBridge for ESP32 release.

This page is for DroneBridge for ESP32.

It is not the Drone Light Show Edition and it is not the legacy DroneBridge for Raspberry Pi project.

DroneBridge for ESP32 is a lightweight telemetry and data bridge for supported ESP32 boards. It is easy to set up and works well for single-drone telemetry links, but it currently does not provide video transmission or radio control.

Before You Start

You will typically need:

  • A supported ESP32 board

  • A USB cable for flashing and initial setup

  • Access to a flight controller UART

  • A Ground Control Station such as MissionPlanner or QGroundControl

DroneBridge is not designed for use as a safety-critical link and must not be relied on as the only communication link.

Before wiring or flying anything, read Safety & Integration.

If you still need to choose hardware, start with Hardware & Wiring.

Recommended First Setup

For a first test, use a single ESP32 in WiFi Access Point mode. This is the simplest setup because it only needs one board and lets you connect directly to the ESP32 from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

1

1. Choose a supported board

Pick a supported ESP32 board and check whether it is an official board, or a more generic development board.

-> Hardware & Wiring

2

2. Flash the firmware

Use the online flashing tool if possible. It is the easiest option for a first installation and helps you pick the correct firmware flavour.

-> Installation

3

3. Wire the ESP32 to the flight controller

Connect 5V, GND, TX, and RX. If you are not using UART flow control, leave RTS and CTS disconnected and disabled.

-> Hardware & Wiring - Wiring to the Flight Controller

4

4. Open the web interface

Power the ESP32, connect to the Wi-Fi network DroneBridge for ESP32 using the password dronebridge, and open http://dronebridge.local or http://192.168.2.1.

-> Configuration - Web Interface

5

5. Configure the UART and mode

Set the correct UART pins and baud rate for your hardware, then keep the device in WiFi Access Point Mode for the first test.

-> Configuration

6

6. Connect your Ground Control Station

Connect your GCS to the ESP32 link and verify that telemetry is arriving before trying more advanced modes.

-> Configuration - MissionPlanner Configuration

-> Configuration - QGroundControl Configuration

Choose the Right Mode

Use the mode that matches your setup:

  • WiFi Access Point Mode: Best first setup for a single drone and a direct connection to the ESP32

  • WiFi Client Mode: Best when the ESP32 should join an existing Wi-Fi network

  • WiFi LR or ESP-NOW LR: Best when you want more range and can also use ESP32 hardware on the ground side

  • Bluetooth LE: Best for BLE-specific workflows and mobile-style setups, but it requires the BLE bridge application

Read the full mode details on Configuration. If you are comparing WiFi-based multi-drone setups with ESP-NOW, also see Drone Swarm Control.

Detailed Guides

Guide

Choose hardware and wiring

Open
Hardware & Wiring
Guide

Flash the firmware

Open
Installation
Guide

Configure modes and UART settings

Open
Configuration
Guide

See complete setup examples

Open
Hardware Setup Examples
Guide

Fix common problems

Open
Troubleshooting/Help
Guide

Capture logs and debug startup issues

Open
Logging & Debugging
Guide

Build against the API or firmware

Open
Developer & API Documentation

Common First-Run Problems

If your first setup does not work right away, these pages will usually get you unstuck quickly:

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