Test Privacylrs Hardware

Test PrivacyLRS/ELRS Hardware

Flash and test firmware on ESP32-based PrivacyLRS/ExpressLRS hardware modules.

Hardware Setup

1. Connect Device via USB:

   # Verify connection
   ls -la /dev/ttyUSB*
   pio device list
   

2. Identify Device:

   • TX modules: Transmitter/Handset
   • RX modules: Receiver
   • Note MAC address for tracking

Building Production Firmware

cd PrivacyLRS/src
PLATFORMIO_BUILD_FLAGS="-DRegulatory_Domain_ISM_2400" pio run -e <target> --target upload

Common targets: namimnorc-tx, namimnorc-rx (check platformio.ini for more)

Creating Standalone Test Firmware

For isolated testing:

1. Create Test Project

mkdir -p PrivacyLRS/test_esp32_standalone/{src}
cd PrivacyLRS/test_esp32_standalone

2. Create platformio.ini

[env:esp32test]
platform = espressif32@6.4.0
board = esp32dev
framework = arduino
upload_port = /dev/ttyUSB0
monitor_port = /dev/ttyUSB0
monitor_speed = 115200
lib_deps =
    ; Add libraries as needed

3. Create src/main.cpp

#include <Arduino.h>

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);
    delay(2000);
    Serial.println("Test starting...");
    // Your test code
}

void loop() {
    delay(5000);
    Serial.println("Running...");
}

4. Build and Upload

pio run -e esp32test --target upload

Capturing Serial Output

Simple Capture

stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 115200
timeout 30 cat /dev/ttyUSB0 | tee output.txt

Continuous Monitor

stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 115200
cat /dev/ttyUSB0  # Ctrl+C to stop

Capture Boot Sequence

# Upload resets device automatically
pio run -e esp32test --target upload
sleep 2
timeout 10 cat /dev/ttyUSB0 > boot.txt
cat boot.txt

Troubleshooting

Device Not Found

lsusb                          # Check USB devices
ls -la /dev/ttyUSB* /dev/ttyACM*  # Check serial ports
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER   # Fix permissions (logout/login after)

Garbled Output

# Try different baud rates
stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 115200  # Standard
stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 460800  # High speed

Crash (Boot Loop)

Look for:

• Guru Meditation Error - ESP32 crash
• panic'ed (LoadProhibited) - Memory access error
• EXCVADDR: 0x00000000 - Null pointer dereference
• PC: 0x... - Crash address

Decode crash address:

xtensa-esp32-elf-addr2line -e .pio/build/esp32test/firmware.elf <PC_address>

Incremental Testing

For debugging, test incrementally:

1. Minimal - Just Serial.println("Hello")
2. Add includes - One header at a time
3. Create objects - Instantiate classes
4. Initialize - Call setup methods
5. Operations - Test functionality
6. Stress test - Loops and benchmarks

Stop at first failure to isolate the problem!

Memory Check

Watch build output:

RAM:   [=    ]  6.6% (21552 / 327680 bytes)
Flash: [==   ] 20.2% (265285 / 1310720 bytes)

Safe limits: RAM < 80%, Flash < 90%

Common Build Flags

# Required for some builds
PLATFORMIO_BUILD_FLAGS="-DRegulatory_Domain_ISM_2400"

# Enable encryption
PLATFORMIO_BUILD_FLAGS="-DUSE_ENCRYPTION"

# Multiple flags
PLATFORMIO_BUILD_FLAGS="-DRegulatory_Domain_ISM_2400 -DUSE_ENCRYPTION"

Expected Output

Normal Boot

ets Jun  8 2016 00:22:57
rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET)
...
Test starting...
Running...

Crash

Guru Meditation Error: Core 1 panic'ed (LoadProhibited)
PC: 0x400d4314  EXCVADDR: 0x00000000
Rebooting...

Best Practices

• Start with minimal test code
• Use Serial.println() for debugging
• Save all output to files
• Commit working states to git
• Document device MAC and test results

Related Skills

• privacylrs-test-runner - Run unit tests before hardware testing
• create-pr - Create pull request after validating on hardware