Multi-drone communication setup using RFD900x radios (unlocked)

Hardware Vendors RFDesign
1

Dear RFD Support Team,

I hope you are doing well.

I am currently working on a multi-drone communication setup using RFD900x radios and would appreciate your guidance on a few technical aspects.

System Overview:

  • Ground Control Station (GCS) connected via RFD900x

  • Multiple drones (currently 4) each equipped with RFD900x modules

  • Using ArduPilot with MAVLink communication

  • Goal: Enable reliable multipoint communication and coordinated control (swarm-like behavior)

Challenges I am facing:

  1. Difficulty in configuring reliable multipoint communication between one GCS and multiple drones.

  2. Understanding how MAVLink messages are handled in a multipoint RFD setup (broadcast vs targeted messages).

  3. Occasional packet loss / instability when multiple nodes are active.

  4. Clarification on optimal firmware settings for mesh or multipoint configuration (e.g., NetID, Node ID, air data rate, ECC, etc.).

Specific Questions:

  • What is the recommended configuration for a multipoint setup with one GCS and multiple air units?

  • Is there an official or recommended approach for swarm communication using RFD900x?

  • How does the radio handle simultaneous MAVLink streams from multiple vehicles?

  • Are there best practices to reduce congestion and ensure stable links in such setups?

  • Would you recommend using a gateway node or any specific topology?

If needed, I can provide logs, configuration files, or setup details for better analysis.

I would greatly appreciate any documentation, examples, or guidance you can share.

Thank you for your support.

2

Email support@rfdesign.com.au

Have you been through the docs?

3

Yes, I have gone through documentation and tested RFD900x Multi-point firmware, and the uav connection is not made even after following the example settings.

Screenshot from 2026-03-31 12-13-12
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Screenshot from 2026-03-31 12-13-20
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4

I tried this a couple of years ago and kept running into walls. Decided the RFD firmware was not complete.

In the end I equipped the drones with ESP8266 modules and used a gaming wifi router/access point with a Rpi to handle the traffic.

Successful swarm of 8 drones - signal was ok within the limit of VLOS flight. (500m horiz, 120m height)