An ESP32-S3 dual-core tactical operating system for extreme operations. Military-grade AES-256-CBC encryption • Offline GNSS navigation • Real-time team tracking • Ultra-low-power E-Ink display • Multi-language support.
Build your own off-grid military-grade communicator in under 30 minutes using standard Qwiic modules and a 3D printer. No soldering required.
Meet GLYPH: Hardware & Navigation
System Internals & Tactical Interface
GLYPH is a self-contained, off-grid communication system designed for scenarios where cellular networks fail - tactical operations, extreme hiking, search & rescue, and disaster response. Think of it as a military-grade walkie-talkie meets GPS tracker, heavily focused on secure LoRa messaging and highly accurate GPS breadcrumbs.
The revolutionary aspect? It's entirely Plug & Play. We designed GLYPH so that anyone with a 3D printer can build their own tactical communication device in around 30 minutes. No soldering iron. No technical skills required. Just plug and go.
- 🔌 True Plug & Play - Uses Qwiic connectors throughout. Assemble it in ~30 minutes.
- 🔒 Military-Grade Encryption - AES-256-CBC with SHA-256 key derivation from team names.
- 📡 Long-Range LoRa - 10km+ range without any infrastructure (up to 20km in emergency mode).
- 🗺️ Offline GPS Tracking - Smart breadcrumb trail, KML routing, and PC web-viewer support.
- 👥 Team Awareness - Track 5 teammates entirely offline based on LoRa coordinates.
- 🔋 Intelligent Power Management - 32h (TACTICAL) → 40h (ECO) → 6 days (STEALTH) → ~70 days (DEEP SLEEP).
- 🖨️ Bambu Lab Optimized - Rugged PETG CF body with TPU button caps via AMS.
- 🌍 Multi-Language & Timezones - 11 languages supported with adjustable UTC offsets.
- 🔥 Core Capabilities & Menus
- 📱 Companion App
- 🥷 Power Management
- 🧰 Hardware & Bill of Materials
- 🆘 Emergency Features & Shortcuts
- 📄 License
Smart GPS Breadcrumb System
- Live Tracking UI: Displays recording status, current time, kilometers traveled, and heading direction.
- Noise Filtering: Only records true movement, filtering out GPS drift.
- Breadcrumb Buffer: Stores up to 350 waypoints in RTC memory.
- Data Logging: SD card automatically stores KML route files, text files for message archives, and a CSV file logging system telemetry every minute.
Route Manager & KML Overlay
- File Manager: A submenu allows you to view saved routes with their dates and timestamps.
- Tactical Overlay: Select a previously completed route from the list and overlay it on the screen to navigate back via the exact same path.
- PC Integration: KML files saved on the SD card can be viewed natively on a PC using tools like Glandnav KML Viewer.
Zoom System
| Zoom Level | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| FIT | Auto-zoom to show entire route + KML | Route overview, mission planning |
| ZOOM | Fixed ~20m radius around position | Close navigation, tactical ops |
- Private Mode (AES-256-CBC): Highly secure mode where your Team Name acts as the encryption key. Only users with the exact same Team Name can read the messages.
- Public Mode: Unencrypted broadcasts. You can see messages from other devices operating in public mode, even if they aren't on your team.
- Input Methods: Type messages using the physical device keyboard or via Bluetooth using the Companion App.
Live dashboard displaying: Current Time, Date, GPS Location, Altitude, Visible Satellites, Temperature, and Humidity.
- Live Squad Tracking: Track up to 5 teammates simultaneously.
- Data Extraction: Calculates distance to teammates based on the coordinates embedded in their last received message.
- Configuration: Set and change your Team Name directly from this menu or the Companion App.
- Menu 5 (Power Mode): Toggle between Normal, Eco, and Stealth profiles.
- Menu 6 (Language): Choose between 11 localized languages.
- Menu 7 (Timezone): Set your local UTC offset (e.g., UTC+2, UTC-5).
GLYPH pairs with a custom mobile application via BLE for enhanced control and situational awareness.
- Status Dashboard: View real-time device telemetry on your phone (Date, Time, Battery Level, Location, Satellites, Temp, and Humidity).
- Coms Interface: Chat seamlessly with other GLYPH users (Public or Secure mode) using a familiar messaging app interface.
- Remote Control: Select your Team Name, switch Power Modes, and configure the device directly from your phone screen.
Intelligent Multi-Mode System (Menu 5)
| Mode | BLE | GPS | LoRa | Battery* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🎯 NORMAL | ON | Max Power | Active | ~32h | Full operational capability |
| 🌲 ECO | OFF | Power Save | Active | ~40h | Extended range patrols |
| 🥷 STEALTH | OFF | Power Save | OFF | ~6 days | Radio silence, zero emissions |
* Based on 3400mAh 18650 Li-Ion battery.
Advanced Power Saving
- Auto-Standby: When a route is not being recorded, the device quickly drops into a standby state to reduce consumption, waking instantly upon detecting movement.
- Deep Sleep (Shutdown): Triggered by pressing
A+C. The board completely shuts down and enters deep sleep. It wakes up once every 8 minutes for 4 seconds to check the IMU (movement) or button states. Estimated battery life in this state is ~70 days.
All modules connect using standard Qwiic cables - zero soldering required.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| LilyGO T3S3 E-Paper (868MHz or 915MHz) | ESP32-S3 with LoRa and E-Ink display integrated |
| SparkFun GNSS Breakout - SAM-M8Q (Qwiic) | GPS module |
| Adafruit LSM6DSOX + LIS3MDL (Qwiic) | 9-axis IMU with magnetometer |
| Adafruit SHT40 (Qwiic) | Temperature & humidity sensor |
| Arduino Modulino Buttons (Qwiic) | 3-button interface |
| 5× Qwiic cables (5cm) | Plug-and-play connections |
| 18650 Li-Ion battery (3400mAh, 3.7V) | Standard rechargeable cell |
| 18650 battery holder | With screw terminals |
| ARK connector (3.5mm, 2-pin) or screw terminal | For power connection |
| MicroSD Card | For storing routes/logs (8GB/16GB) |
The enclosure specifically leverages Bambu Lab's AMS system for professional, multi-material capabilities:
- PETG CF filament (enclosure body)
- TPU filament (button caps)
Physical button combinations provide instant access to critical features:
- [ A + B ] Toggle Recording: Instantly starts or stops the KML route tracking to the SD card.
- [ B + C ] SOS Broadcast: Triggers a distress signal. Broadcasts an SOS message with your exact coordinates to all nearby devices.
- [ A + C ] Deep Sleep / Shutdown: Safely shuts down the board into the ultra-low-power 70-day deep sleep mode.
Distributed under the GPL v3. See LICENSE file for details.
Built with ❤️ for operators, adventurers, and survivalists
"When all other systems fail, GLYPH persists."