ESP32 Forum

Hi! I need some advice. I have two ESP32s, one transmitter and one receiver, transmitting data from the transmitter to the receiver via ESP-NOW. The data rate is about 20KB/s. I want to achieve the maximum possible range. On the transmitter, I've enabled WIFI_PROTOCOL_LR, but unfortunately on the receiver I can't set WIFI_PROTOCOL_LR because I also have WIFI_IF_AP there, since I need to connect to the receiver from my phone. So on the receiver I have: WIFI_IF_STA, WIFI_PROTOCOL_11B, WIFI_PROTOCOL_11G, WIFI_PROTOCOL_11N. Here's my first question: does this configuration improve range? I have the impression that it does, but I might be wrong? The documentation says that both devices must be in _LR for it to work, but since ESP-NOW is a connectionless protocol, when the transmitter has _LR it definitely transmits with different modulation and more slowly. And my second question: maybe I should abandon _LR on the transmitter and set both (transmitter and receiver) to, for example, WIFI_PROTOCOL_11B and WIFI_PHY_RATE_1M_L? Would this improve range? Which option would be more effective?

The word "range" is not the best way to ask, because we don't know if you need full omni or perhaps directional. For max distance you'll need a yagi. esp-now or esp-wifi, does not matter, the transmission is Rf.

1st, use a board that allows you to connect external antenna, from there you need to choose a quality omni with some gain, or choose a yagi (made in various sizes and gain). If you are sight path comms, yagi is best. Not all boards are created equal when it comes to the LNA output design, so be sure to do some homework on that topic. I assume you are not making your own pcb for the esp. We do expect board design from LNA to the 50ohm antenna to be matched (vswr 1:1, etc), but nothing is perfect and some designs are worse than others. If we simply tune out the board factors, the best you'll get is using ext antenna with a good yagi, 2nd best using a good omni. vswr of the antenna matters, so be sure to seek out a product that has actual vswr chart, or get yourself a tinyVNA so you can test them yourself.

Then, be sure you set the esp radio to max power.