A next-generation long-range packet radio link using raw WiFi radio for low-latency data transmission, optimized for drone telemetry and video.
WFB-NG is an open-source long-range packet radio link system that uses raw WiFi radios in monitor mode to transmit data with minimal latency. It is specifically designed for applications requiring reliable, real-time wireless communication, such as drone FPV video streaming and MAVLink telemetry. The system maps UDP packets directly to WiFi frames and employs smart forward error correction to maintain link integrity in challenging RF environments.
Drone enthusiasts, FPV pilots, and developers building long-range wireless communication systems for UAVs, robotics, or remote telemetry applications. It is also suitable for hobbyists and researchers working with raw WiFi packet injection and low-latency data links.
Developers choose WFB-NG for its exceptionally low latency, achieved by avoiding byte-stream serialization and using direct packet mapping. Its support for distributed operation, dynamic FEC, and hardware acceleration provides a flexible, high-performance alternative to traditional WiFi bridging, especially in lossy or long-range scenarios.
WFB-NG - the next generation of long-range packet radio link based on raw WiFi radio
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Maps RTP streams directly to IEEE 802.11 packets without serialization, minimizing latency as highlighted in the main features for real-time applications like drone FPV.
Uses SIMD instructions for 5-10x faster forward error correction on amd64, arm32, and arm64, enhancing reliability in lossy wireless environments as stated in the README.
Allows data aggregation from multiple WiFi cards across different hosts, overcoming USB bus bandwidth limits, which is crucial for scaling performance in demanding setups.
Supports on-the-fly changes to FEC and modulation without interrupting the link, enabling adaptability to varying channel conditions as per the feature list.
Only supports specific chipsets like RTL8812au/eu and Atheros AR9350, requiring external patched drivers and kernel modifications for TX power control, limiting plug-and-play usability.
Installation involves flashing custom images, enabling systemd services, and manual key management, with detailed steps in the README that assume advanced Linux knowledge.
Relies on community support via a single Telegram group and has restricted hardware compatibility, which can hinder troubleshooting and broader adoption beyond niche use cases.
Using monitor mode and raw packet injection may violate local wireless regulations, posing risks for unlicensed operation, as implied by the disclaimer in the README.