Files
firmware/README.md
T
swaits 6db287c241 feat: native USB CDC-ACM support for Heltec V3
The default heltec_v3 feature now uses native USB OTG (same as V4),
appearing as /dev/ttyACM0 with the DongLoRa VID:PID (1209:5741).
This requires a hardware mod: solder R29/R3 and disconnect the CP2102
from the USB data lines.

Stock (unmodified) V3 boards should use the new heltec_v3_uart feature
which preserves the original UART-over-CP2102 behavior (/dev/ttyUSB0).

- heltec_v3: switched from UART to USB OTG
- heltec_v3_uart: new feature, UART fallback for stock boards
- Removed #[cfg] gates on UsbParts/UartParts (both always defined)
- Updated README with hardware mod instructions and board table
- Updated justfile with heltec_v3_uart board definition
2026-04-07 10:44:25 -06:00

2.1 KiB

DongLoRa Firmware

Embedded Rust firmware for DongLoRa boards. Exposes the LoRa radio over USB CDC-ACM using a COBS-framed binary protocol.

Building

just setup              # one-time toolchain install
just build heltec_v4    # build for a specific board
just flash heltec_v4    # build + flash
just check-all          # compile-check all boards
just clippy heltec_v4   # lint
just test               # host-side protocol unit tests

All commands are run from the firmware/ directory.

Supported Boards

Board Feature MCU Radio USB Target
Heltec V3 heltec_v3 ESP32-S3 SX1262 Native CDC-ACM xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf
Heltec V3 (UART) heltec_v3_uart ESP32-S3 SX1262 CP2102 bridge xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf
Heltec V4 heltec_v4 ESP32-S3 SX1262 Native CDC-ACM xtensa-esp32s3-none-elf
RAK WisBlock 4631 rak_wisblock_4631 nRF52840 SX1262 Native CDC-ACM thumbv7em-none-eabihf
Wio Tracker L1 wio_tracker_l1 nRF52840 SX1262 Native CDC-ACM thumbv7em-none-eabihf

Heltec V3 USB Note

The default heltec_v3 build uses native USB CDC-ACM, which requires a hardware modification to your board. Stock Heltec V3 boards route USB through a CP2102 bridge chip to UART — the ESP32-S3's native USB pins (GPIO19/GPIO20) are routed to header pins but not connected to the USB connector.

To enable native USB on a Heltec V3:

  1. Solder 0-ohm (or 22-ohm) resistors at pads R29 (D+) and R3 (D-)
  2. Disconnect the CP2102 from the USB connector's D+/D- lines (cut traces or remove the CP2102 bridge resistors)

After this mod, the board appears as /dev/ttyACM0 with the DongLoRa VID:PID (1209:5741), just like the V4 and nRF boards.

If you have a stock (unmodified) V3, use heltec_v3_uart instead:

just build heltec_v3_uart
just flash heltec_v3_uart

This builds firmware that communicates via the CP2102 bridge (appears as /dev/ttyUSB0).

Adding a Board

See src/board/PORTING.md.

Protocol

See PROTOCOL.md for the complete wire format specification.