BLheli_S
Open-source firmware for brushless electronic speed controllers (ESCs) used in drones and RC vehicles.
What is BLheli_S?
BLHeli is a firmware suite for brushless electronic speed controllers (ESCs) used in drones, RC helicopters, and planes. It provides precise motor control, enabling smooth throttle response and reliable performance for hobbyist and professional applications. The project includes multiple versions: BLHeli (8-bit open-source), BLHeli_S (8-bit optimized), and BLHeli_32 (32-bit closed-source).
Drone and RC vehicle enthusiasts, DIY builders, and embedded developers working on brushless motor control systems for multirotors, helicopters, and planes.
Developers choose BLHeli for its proven reliability, community-driven open-source versions, and specialized firmware variants optimized for different motor types and performance requirements, supported by comprehensive configuration tools.
Overview
BLHeli for brushless ESC firmware
Use Cases
Best For
- Building custom drone ESCs with open-source firmware
- Retrofitting brushless motors in RC helicopters and planes
- Optimizing throttle response for multirotor flight controllers
- Developing embedded motor control systems on Atmel or Silabs MCUs
- Tuning ESC performance for smooth aerial maneuvers
- Educational projects on brushless ESC firmware and motor dynamics
Not Ideal For
- Commercial products requiring 100% open-source firmware and vendor support
- Projects using microcontrollers not supported by Atmel, Silabs, or specific 32-bit architectures
- Beginners seeking plug-and-play ESCs without firmware flashing or tuning
- Applications needing real-time, cutting-edge updates with transparent development cycles
Pros & Cons
Pros
BLHeli and BLHeli_S are open-sourced under GPLv3, enabling community contributions and modifications, as highlighted in the README for collaborative improvements.
BLHeli_S is specifically designed for smooth throttle response in multirotors and planes, enhancing flight stability and control, as noted in its development focus.
Detailed PDF manuals are provided for each firmware version, covering setup, configuration, and troubleshooting, ensuring users have reliable guides.
Includes BLHeliSuite PC software and Android apps for flashing and tuning, supporting various devices, though distribution can be fragmented via MediaFire and GitHub.
Cons
BLHeli_32 is closed-source, limiting transparency, customizability, and community auditing for 32-bit MCUs, which may deter open-source purists.
Tools like BLHeliSuite are hosted on external platforms like MediaFire and GitHub, leading to a non-standard setup process that can confuse users.
The open-source versions only support Atmel and Silabs 8-bit MCUs, restricting compatibility with newer or alternative microcontroller architectures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
AM32-MultiRotor-ESC-FWAM32 is an open-source firmware designed for STM32 ARM processors to control brushless motors (BLDC) in electronic speed controllers (ESCs). It provides safe, fast, and smooth motor control with linear throttle response, suitable for multirotor drones, crawlers, and other RC vehicles when paired with a flight controller. ## Key Features - **Firmware Upgradability** — Supports updates via Betaflight passthrough, single-wire serial, or Arduino. - **Motor Protocol Support** — Compatible with Servo PWM, DSHOT (300, 600), and bi-directional DSHOT. - **Telemetry** — Implements KISS standard ESC telemetry for real-time data feedback. - **Variable PWM Frequency** — Adjustable pulse-width modulation frequency for optimized motor control. - **Sinusoidal Startup Mode** — Designed to smoothly start larger motors and reduce cogging. ## Philosophy AM32 emphasizes safety, performance, and versatility, aiming to deliver reliable and efficient motor control across diverse hardware platforms and vehicle applications.
BlueJay:bird: Digital ESC firmware for controlling brushless motors in multirotors
ESC ConfiguratorA Web-App to flash your BLHeli_S and AM32 based ESCs from the browser using the Web-Serial API.
MESC FOC ESCMESC, Molony ESC, STM32F303 based FOC+BLDC ready, HALL, Encoder, Sensorless, single sides, 2 layer, ~90A @48V
Found a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.