BlueJay
Open-source digital ESC firmware for BLHeli_S compatible brushless motor controllers in multirotors.
What is BlueJay?
Bluejay is an open-source digital ESC firmware for controlling brushless motors in multirotors. It is based on BLHeli_S and adds improvements like bidirectional DShot for RPM telemetry, selectable PWM frequencies, and configurable startup tunes. It solves the need for a modern, community-driven firmware with enhanced performance and features for drone motor controllers.
Drone builders, FPV (First-Person View) enthusiasts, and multirotor hobbyists who use BLHeli_S compatible ESCs and want advanced motor control features.
Developers choose Bluejay because it offers an open-source alternative to BLHeli_S with added features like bidirectional DShot telemetry, higher PWM frequencies, and customizable startup tunes, all while maintaining hardware compatibility and community support.
Overview
:bird: Digital ESC firmware for controlling brushless motors in multirotors
Use Cases
Best For
- Upgrading BLHeli_S ESCs with modern firmware features
- Enabling RPM telemetry via bidirectional DShot on multirotors
- Fine-tuning motor performance with selectable PWM frequencies
- Customizing ESC startup sounds for personalized drone builds
- Improving throttle resolution and smoothness in motor control
- Adding power configuration and protection to drone ESCs
Not Ideal For
- Drone builds using ESCs with non-Busy Bee MCUs or incompatible hardware
- Projects requiring commercial-grade support and warranties
- Beginners seeking a completely plug-and-play ESC solution without configuration
- Applications outside multirotor drones, such as fixed-wing or industrial motor control
Pros & Cons
Pros
Enables real-time RPM feedback from motors, improving flight controller tuning and diagnostics, as highlighted in the features list.
Offers 24, 48, and 96 kHz options for optimizing motor performance and reducing noise, allowing fine-tuning for different drone setups.
Community-driven development with active Discord support and GitHub contributions, providing transparency and customization beyond closed-source alternatives.
Allows users to personalize ESC startup sounds, adding a fun and distinctive element to drone builds, as mentioned in the features.
Cons
Only works with BLHeli_S ESCs using Busy Bee MCUs, excluding newer 32-bit ESC hardware or other architectures.
Requires external configurator tools or manual binary flashing, which can be intimidating for users unfamiliar with ESC firmware updates.
Lacks official vendor backing; troubleshooting relies on forums and Discord, which may not guarantee timely or reliable assistance.
Open Source Alternative To
BlueJay is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
BLheli_SBLHeli for brushless ESC firmware
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.
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.