How does WFB-NG compare to OpenHD for drone video streaming?

WFB-NG focuses on low-latency packet mapping and distributed operation for raw WiFi links, while OpenHD often provides more integrated video pipelines and user-friendly interfaces. WFB-NG is better for custom, high-performance setups, but OpenHD might be easier for beginners.

How to set up encryption keys for WFB-NG?

Use the 'wfb_keygen' command to generate drone.key and gs.key, then place them in /etc on respective devices. Ensure keys match on both ends to avoid encryption errors, as noted in the troubleshooting section.

What is the maximum data rate supported by WFB-NG?

It depends on hardware and configuration, but with supported 802.11ac cards like RTL8812au, it can handle high-bandwidth UDP streams. However, the IPv4 tunnel has more overhead, so raw UDP is recommended for video or telemetry.

Can I use WFB-NG with any WiFi adapter?

No, only specific chipsets are supported, such as RTL8812au/eu and Atheros AR9350, requiring patched drivers. For RX-only, any card with monitor mode might work, but TX needs compatible hardware as listed in the README.

How to monitor link performance in WFB-NG?

Run 'wfb-cli gs' on the ground station to view real-time statistics. The system also logs full channel state for offline debugging, as mentioned in the features for analysis and tuning.

Is WFB-NG suitable for long-range telemetry with Pixhawk?

Yes, it supports bidirectional MAVLink telemetry alongside video, making it ideal for UAVs. The dynamic FEC and low latency ensure reliable communication in challenging RF environments, as targeted in drone applications.

What are common issues when using WFB-NG on Raspberry Pi?

Common issues include driver conflicts, encryption key mismatches, and channel configuration errors. Check logs with 'sudo journalctl -xu wifibroadcast@gs' and verify wifi_channel and link_domain settings in /etc/wifibroadcast.cfg.

Open-Awesome

Wifibroadcast NG

GPL-3.0Pythonwfb-ng-25.01.2

A next-generation long-range packet radio link using raw WiFi radio for low-latency data transmission, optimized for drone telemetry and video.

Visit Website GitHub

1.5k stars337 forks0 contributors

What is Wifibroadcast NG?

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.

Target Audience

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.

Value Proposition

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.

Overview

WFB-NG - the next generation of long-range packet radio link based on raw WiFi radio

Use Cases

Best For

Low-latency FPV video streaming for drones and UAVs
Bidirectional MAVLink telemetry transmission in robotic systems
Building long-range wireless data links using raw WiFi radios
Transmitting UDP-based data (e.g., RTP streams) over unreliable wireless channels
Implementing secure, encrypted wireless communication for remote devices
Aggregating multiple WiFi adapters to overcome USB bandwidth limitations

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring standard WiFi connectivity for general internet access or file sharing
Environments with strict wireless regulatory compliance due to raw packet injection risks
Users without Linux system administration skills, given the need for kernel patches and manual configuration
Applications needing high-bandwidth, continuous data streams like bulk file transfers, as it's optimized for UDP packets with size limits

Pros & Cons

Pros

Direct Packet Mapping

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.

Accelerated FEC Performance

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.

Distributed Architecture

Allows data aggregation from multiple WiFi cards across different hosts, overcoming USB bus bandwidth limits, which is crucial for scaling performance in demanding setups.

Dynamic Link Adaptation

Supports on-the-fly changes to FEC and modulation without interrupting the link, enabling adaptability to varying channel conditions as per the feature list.

Cons

Hardware and Driver Complexity

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.

Steep Setup and Configuration

Installation involves flashing custom images, enabling systemd services, and manual key management, with detailed steps in the README that assume advanced Linux knowledge.

Limited Ecosystem and Support

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.

Regulatory and Legal Gray Areas

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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