LoRadar - The Flipper Application to localize stratospheric ballons via LoRa

LoRadar is an app that allows users to localize stratospheric balloons using their Flipper Zero and LoRa modules.

The Flipper receives LoRa APRS-IS frames directly from the balloons and forwards it to a companion mobile app via Bluetooth. The mobile app then records the balloon positions, displays them on a map, and can optionally forward the data to a backend server.

⚠️ Currently tested on Flipper Zero Firmware SDK v1.2.0
Compatibility with other versions is not guaranteed – firmware update may be required.

App structure

loradar/
├── application.fam # Flipper app manifest file
├── lora_app.c / .h # Main app entry and global logic
├── bt_transmitter.c / .h
├── lora_config.c / .h
├── lora_custom_event.h
├── lora_receiver.c / .h
├── lora_receiver_i.h 
├── lora_transmitter.c / .h
├── lora_transmitter_i.h # (private header)
├── lora_state_manager.c / .h
├── ring_buffer.c / .h
├── uart_helper.c / .h
├── lora_10px.png # App icon
├── helpers/ # Utility code (e.g., drawing, timing)
├── scenes/ # UI scene management (Flipper UI structure)
├── tests/ # Unit tests
├── doc/ # Project documentation including UML diagrams
└── README.md

Supported LoRa Modules

Module Name	Chipset	Compatible	Notes
Grove - Wio-E5	STM32WLE5JC	✅	Tested and working over UART with Flipper GPIO

More modules can be added (see the contribute guideline)

Connection Instructions

Grove-Wio-E5 Module

To connect the Grove-Wio-E5 module to the Flipper zero, simply connect the pins as follows:

Pinout: Grove cable on Flipper GPIO

• Red → 3V3 (pin 9)
• Black → GND (pin 11)
• White → TX (pin 13)
• Yellow → RX (pin 14)

Default baudrate: 9600

Build Instructions

There are two build modes: Debug (default) and Release.

./fbt COMPACT=1 APPSRC={app_id}      # Debug mode
./fbt COMPACT=1 DEBUG=0 APPSRC={app_id}  # Release mode

The {app_id} corresponds to the app_id specified in the application.fam file. This project contains two apps: the main application and a test suite.

To build the main app in Release mode, use:

./fbt COMPACT=1 DEBUG=0 APPSRC=lora_app

Deploying the App

To upload and launch the compiled app via USB, run:

./fbt DEBUG=0 launch APPSRC=lora_app

To build and flash all FAP apps in one command:

./fbt DEBUG=0 fap_deploy  # Release mode

Debugging

To view log traces from the device's CLI, use:

./fbt cli

TODO

• Basic UART communication with Wio-E5
• Display LoRa response in Flipper UI
• Bluetooth connection with mobile app
• Map display of balloon location in app
• Add settings menu in Flipper app
• Add an internal APRS-IS trames parser
• Update the app to work with new SDK firmware.

License

This project is open source and available under the MIT License.