Meshtastic Drone Swarm Telemetry & Control

This project provides a comprehensive framework for integrating Meshtastic mesh networking with DroneBridge32 for telemetry and control of a drone swarm. It encompasses features like swarm coordination, geofencing, emergency landing, data logging, visualization, dynamic channel switching, AI integration (conceptual), encryption, and fail-safes.

Features

• Decentralized Control: Operate your drone swarm over a resilient Meshtastic mesh network.
• Encrypted Communication: Secure communication using AES encryption.
• Telemetry: Real-time data including position, altitude, and battery voltage.
• Control: Commands for individual drones or the entire swarm.
• MAVLink Integration: Seamlessly works with MAVLink for flight controller communication.
• Geofencing: Prevents drones from entering restricted areas.
• Emergency Landing: Robust emergency landing protocol.
• Data Logging: Logs telemetry data for post-flight analysis.
• Map Visualization: Interactive map display of drone locations.
• Dynamic Channel Switching: Adapts to network conditions.
• AI Integration (Conceptual): Provides a framework for AI-driven insights.
• Fail-Safes: Signal loss and low battery protections.
• Swarm Coordination: Example of sending commands to the entire swarm.

Components

1. Meshtastic Plugin (Telemetry Reception & Display):
   • Python-based plugin for the Meshtastic ground station.
   • Displays telemetry data, map visualization, and provides control options.
   • Includes geofencing and data logging.
2. Meshtastic Plugin (Control Command Transmission):
   • Python-based plugin for sending control commands.
   • Supports individual and swarm commands, including emergency landing.
   • Dynamic Channel switching.
3. DroneBridge32 (or Companion Process) - Telemetry Transmission:
   • Arduino code for transmitting telemetry data.
   • Parses MAVLink messages, encrypts data, and handles fail-safes.
   • Battery voltage detection.
4. DroneBridge32 (or Companion Process) - Control Command Reception:
   • Arduino code for receiving and executing control commands.
   • Decrypts commands and sends corresponding MAVLink commands.

Installation

1. DroneBridge32 Integration:
   • Upload the provided Arduino code to your drone's microcontroller.
   • Ensure MAVLink communication is correctly configured.
2. Meshtastic Node:
   • Connect a Meshtastic-compatible device to your drone.
   • Configure the network settings.
3. Meshtastic Plugin:
   • Install Python and required libraries (pip install meshtastic folium).
   • Run the plugin scripts (python meshtastic_telemetry.py and python meshtastic_control.py).

Usage

1. Launch Plugins: Start the telemetry and control plugins.
2. Monitor Telemetry: Observe real-time data on the telemetry plugin.
3. Send Commands: Use the control plugin to send commands.
4. Map Visualization: Open the map to view drone locations.

Configuration

• Drone IDs: Set unique IDs for each drone in the Arduino code.
• MAVLink Settings: Configure MAVLink baud rate and message IDs.
• Meshtastic Settings: Configure channel, encryption keys, and network settings.
• Geofence: Modify the geofence coordinates in the telemetry plugin.
• Encryption Key: Modify the Encryption keys in the arduino code and ensure they match.

Disclaimer

This project is provided "as is," without warranty. Use at your own risk.