Armachat Meshtastic Protocol Integration
Guide to integrating Meshtastic mesh networking protocol with the Armachat communicator, enabling multi-hop message relay, store-and-forward routing, and interoperability with the broader Meshtastic network.
Overview
This project documents the ongoing effort to integrate the Meshtastic mesh networking protocol into the Armachat family of LoRa communicators. Bobricius designed the Armachat's addressing and packet structure with Meshtastic compatibility in mind, and the CircuitPython firmware already matches Meshtastic's LoRa radio profiles.
Background
When designing the Armachat's communication protocol, Bobricius evaluated two mesh networking options:
- Meshtastic — the established open-source LoRa mesh platform
- Disaster Radio — an alternative LoRa mesh protocol
The community voted in favor of Meshtastic integration, and subsequent firmware updates aligned the LoRa radio parameters with Meshtastic's profile settings.
Current Integration Status
Implemented
- LoRa radio profiles matched to Meshtastic's standard profiles
- Compatible addressing and packet structure
- AES256 encryption support
- Peer-to-peer messaging over LoRa
In Progress
- Full mesh routing with multi-hop message forwarding
- ESP32 WiFi-to-RFM95 gateway mode for bridging Meshtastic networks
- Raw packet forwarding between devices
Use Cases
- Off-grid group communication: Deploy multiple Armachat devices for team messaging without cellular or internet
- Emergency mesh network: Build a resilient communication network for disaster scenarios
- Meshtastic gateway: Use ESP32-based Armachat variants as WiFi bridges to extend Meshtastic mesh coverage
- Range extension: Chain multiple Armachat nodes to relay messages beyond single-hop LoRa range
Related Resources
- Meshtastic project: meshtastic.org
- Armachat Hackaday project log: "Mesh protocol Meshtastic or Disaster.radio?"
- Armachat CircuitPython firmware with matched LoRa profiles
