๐ฑ App / Application / Client Application
An application that connects to a Meshtastic node, primarily for sending or receiving data ๐ก through the Meshtastic mesh network.
๐ถ Band
A range of frequencies used for LoRa communication ๐, determined by region. Meshtastic further categorizes these bands into channels. Bands may be identified by lower and upper frequency limits (e.g., 902โ928MHz), a center frequency (e.g., 915MHz), or by region (e.g., US).
๐ข Broadcast
Sending a message or data from one Meshtastic device to all other devices within range ๐ก in the Meshtastic network, rather than targeting a specific recipient.
๐ก Channel
In Meshtastic firmware, a channel can refer to: 1๏ธโฃ One of the 8 configurable Meshtastic channels, each with a unique name and encryption ๐. One is designated as primary, others as secondary. 2๏ธโฃ A specific frequency within a LoRa band that a Meshtastic node may be configured to use.
๐ป CLI
Command Line Interface, a text-based interface used to interact with Meshtastic firmware and configure Meshtastic nodes via commands โจ๏ธ.
๐ค Client
A device or application that connects to a Meshtastic node, typically to send or receive data ๐ก through the Meshtastic mesh network.
๐ง Device
A physical piece of hardware running Meshtastic software, using LoRa radio ๐ถ to participate in a decentralized, long-range Meshtastic mesh network.
๐ DFU
Device Firmware Update, a mode used by Meshtastic devices to receive firmware updates ๐ฅ, typically during flashing or recovery.
โ๏ธ ESP32
A microcontroller chipset used in many Meshtastic-compatible devices. It consumes more power ๐ than NRF52 but supports Wi-Fi ๐ and is cost-effective for Meshtastic applications.
๐พ Firmware
The low-level software installed on a Meshtastic device that controls hardware ๐ฅ๏ธ and enables LoRa mesh communication.
๐ก Flash / Flashing
The process of installing or updating Meshtastic firmware on a device. Flashing allows customization ๐ ๏ธ and upgrades of Meshtastic nodes.
๐ Foreign Mesh
A scenario in Meshtastic networking where a node receives a message from another node that does not share any configured channels ๐ซ. The message is unreadable and considered from a Foreign Mesh.
๐ GPIO
General Purpose Input/Output. A digital signal pin on a Meshtastic device used for custom input/output functions โก, such as sensors or triggers.
๐ก LoRa
A long-range, low-power wireless technology used by Meshtastic devices to communicate over several kilometers ๐บ๏ธ without cellular or Wi-Fi infrastructure.
๐ LoS
Line of Sight, a direct path between two Meshtastic nodes. LoS improves signal quality ๐ถ and range in LoRa mesh networks.
๐ธ๏ธ Mesh
In Meshtastic, a mesh refers to a network topology where nodes are interconnected ๐, allowing dynamic routing and relaying of messages across the Meshtastic network.
โ๏ธ Message
A unit of data sent between Meshtastic nodes. Messages can include text ๐ฌ, GPS updates ๐, or sensor data ๐ก๏ธ, transmitted over the LoRa mesh network.
๐ MHz
Megahertz, a unit of frequency used to define operating bands for Meshtastic LoRa devices, affecting range ๐ถ and data rate.
๐งฉ Module
In Meshtastic, a module can be: 1๏ธโฃ A software plug-in that extends Meshtastic functionality. 2๏ธโฃ A hardware add-on ๐ง for a Meshtastic node, such as GPS ๐ฐ๏ธ or environmental sensors ๐ก๏ธ.
๐ MQTT
MQTT stands for Message Queuing Telemetry Transport, a lightweight messaging protocol designed for small sensors ๐ and mobile devices ๐ฑ. In the Meshtastic network, MQTT facilitates efficient data transmission, enabling Meshtastic nodes to connect to the internet ๐ and link multiple Meshtastic meshes for broader coverage and IoT integration.
๐ก Node
A Meshtastic node is a core component of the Meshtastic mesh network. It can send ๐ค, receive ๐ฅ, and relay ๐ messages, helping to form and expand the network's coverage and reliability.
๐ NRF52
The NRF52 is a microcontroller chipset manufactured by Nordic, used in various Meshtastic-compatible devices such as the RAK Meshtastic Starter Kit and Lilygo T-Echo. It consumes less power ๐ than ESP32, making it ideal for low-power Meshtastic nodes.
๐ก OTA
OTA stands for "Over the Air." In Meshtastic firmware, OTA updates allow wireless upgrades ๐ถ of Meshtastic devices without physical connections ๐, simplifying maintenance and deployment.
๐ฆ Packet
A packet is a formatted unit of data transmitted over the Meshtastic mesh network. Packets carry messages โ๏ธ, GPS locations ๐, and telemetry data ๐ between Meshtastic nodes using LoRa communication.
๐ Protobuf
Protocol Buffers (Protobuf) is a data serialization method developed by Google. In Meshtastic, Protobuf is used for efficient communication ๐ between devices, enabling structured data exchange across the mesh.
๐ Pre-Shared Key (PSK)
A Pre-Shared Key is a secret passphrase used in Meshtastic channels for encryption ๐. Only Meshtastic nodes with the correct PSK can communicate securely within that channel.
๐ Public Key Cryptography (PKC)
PKC is a cryptographic method introduced in Meshtastic v2.5 for secure Direct and Admin Messages. Each Meshtastic device uses a unique public/private key pair ๐ to encrypt and authenticate communications, enhancing privacy and integrity.
๐ก Repeater
A Meshtastic repeater node extends mesh coverage ๐ถ by relaying messages ๐ with minimal overhead. It operates silently ๐คซ and does not appear in the visible node list.
๐ง Router
A Meshtastic router node is an infrastructure device ๐๏ธ that relays messages to extend mesh coverage. Unlike repeaters, routers are visible ๐ in the Meshtastic node list.
๐ rp2040
The rp2040 is a microcontroller chip developed by Raspberry Pi ๐ฅง, featuring dual ARM Cortex-M0+ processors. It is used in some Meshtastic-compatible boards for efficient processing โก and low power consumption ๐.
๐ฅ RX
RX stands for "Receive." In Meshtastic communication, RX refers to the reception of packets ๐ฆ or messages โ๏ธ by a Meshtastic node.
๐ก Sensor
A sensor is a hardware component in a Meshtastic device that detects environmental inputs ๐ก๏ธ such as temperature, humidity ๐ง, or GPS location ๐. These readings are transmitted over the Meshtastic mesh network for monitoring and automation.
๐ Serial
Serial communication is used to transmit data between a Meshtastic device and a computer ๐ป or other hardware, typically via USB ๐ or UART. It is essential for flashing firmware ๐พ and debugging ๐ ๏ธ.
๐ถ SNR
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) measures the clarity of a signal ๐ก in Meshtastic LoRa communication. A higher SNR means better transmission quality โ
between Meshtastic nodes.
๐ก SWR
Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) indicates the efficiency of RF power transmission โก in Meshtastic devices. An ideal SWR close to 1:1 ensures minimal signal loss ๐ and optimal antenna performance ๐ก.
๐ Telemetry
Telemetry refers to the transmission of sensor data ๐ก๏ธ or system metrics ๐ from Meshtastic nodes across the mesh network ๐ธ๏ธ for remote monitoring and analysis.
๐ก Transceiver
A transceiver in a Meshtastic device is capable of both transmitting ๐ค and receiving ๐ฅ LoRa signals, enabling full communication within the mesh ๐.
๐ค Transmit
Transmit (TX) is the act of sending data โ๏ธ, such as messages, GPS updates ๐, from one Meshtastic node to another via the LoRa mesh network.
๐ผ TX
TX is the abbreviation for Transmit. In Meshtastic firmware, TX refers to the transmission ๐ก of packets ๐ฆ from a Meshtastic device.
