ChatterBox Firmware Features
A partial list of features is shown below. These features refer to running in private cluster mode.
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Message Delivery
Home Screen
Direct messages & broadcasts
DMs to in-range devices are sent and confirmed instantly, while out-of-range /powered off deliveries are routed via mesh
Signed delivery confirmations for DMs, cluster-accepted confirmation for broadcasts
Messages, shared locations, and remote commands are asymmetrically encrypted (symmetric for broadcasts) and signed
Unpredictable frequency hopping for higher security and jam-resistance
DMs are “striped” across frequencies, an entire DM is never sent on a single frequency
Mesh Capabilities
New Message Screen
Decentralized “mesh cache” securely stores and delivers packets until expired
DMs can be held/delivered by the cluster for up to 24 hours, broadcasts up to 2 hours
Asymmetric encryption ensures nodes/devices assisting in deliver cannot decrypt DMs
Cluster-wide connectivity, device presence, and location updates regularly as knowledge propagates throughout the cluster 24/7
All capabilities are shared and distributed throughout the cluster, there is no central “server”
Adaptive Device Awareness
Devices Screen
Auto-propagating knowledge of devices and capabilities as they’re added to the cluster
Chain of trust allows devices to automatically trust & recognize new devices
Cluster-wide connectivity sharing enables smart path planning, even for devices that have never been within direct LoRa range
Last known and/or current locations and headings for all devices (with sharing enabled) are securely propagated cluster-wide
Live Neighbors View
Neighbors Screen
View all trusted devices currently within LoRa range
Touch GPS icon to see relative location of nearby devices (if location sharing enabled)
RSSI helps you position nodes and antennas
Messages to neighbors are likely to be instantly sent and confirmed as meshing is likely unnecessary
Touch the antenna on the home screen (not the neighbors screen) to view live pings
Location Sharing
Map Screen
All locations are encrypted and signed during transmission, and encrypted at rest
Live location data is shared directly to in-range devices, and via mesh to out-of-range devices
If a device is powered off or out-of-range, the last known location is shown
Although no compass is integrated, if you start walking, your heading will be indicated with a line, helping you to orient your heading
Remote Commands / Sensors
Commands Screen
Remotely view query any enabled device for its in-range neighbors, battery level, uptime
Remotely enable/disable GPS, DST, and adjust time zone for any enabled device
Proximity nodes accept commands related to enabling/disabling motion notification, querying last motion, and more
Experimental relay nodes enable remotely opening and closing circuits (switching on/off)
Protected/verified by asymmetric encryption, digital signatures, and anti-jamming frequency hopping
Highly Configurable
Settings Screen
Adjustable device and security settings
Cluster configuration options (when you create a new cluster) include name, center frequency and hopping settings
New devices automatically adjust to the cluster’s settings once they are onboarded by the root
You assign each communicator a name when you initialize it. That name/alias sticks with the device
Nodes are automatically assigned a random name.