Flipper Zero

Project Ideas

RF and Wireless Projects

• Multi-Protocol RF Gateway: Create a bridge between different RF protocols (433MHz, 868MHz, 2.4GHz) using the esp controller's enhanced range and the ESP32 addon. Program custom C code to translate between protocols like LoRa, Zigbee, and proprietary formats in real-time.

• Wireless Penetration Testing Suite: Develop a comprehensive pentest tool that uses the esp's improved signal strength for WiFi deauth attacks, beacon flooding, and evil twin AP creation while simultaneously capturing and analyzing traffic with custom packet parsing algorithms.

• IoT Device Fuzzer: Build an automated fuzzing system that discovers and stress-tests IoT devices on local networks. Use the wireless hardware to scan for devices and the C program to generate malformed packets to test device security responses.

Automation and Control Projects

• Smart Home Command Center: Create a universal remote that learns and replicates IR, RF, and WiFi commands from various smart home devices. The esp controller extends range while custom C code manages device databases and macro sequences.

• Drone Communication Interceptor: Develop a system to monitor and analyze drone communication protocols. Use the enhanced RF capabilities to intercept control signals and telemetry data, with C code for real-time protocol analysis and logging.

• Vehicle Diagnostic Gateway: Build a wireless OBD-II interface that captures vehicle data and transmits it over WiFi. The C program handles CAN bus communication while the ESP32 streams diagnostic data to mobile apps or cloud services.

Security Projects

• Rogue Access Point Detector: Create an advanced WiFi security monitor that identifies suspicious access points, captures handshakes, and performs real-time network analysis. The enhanced antenna range helps detect distant threats.

• RFID/NFC Relay Attack System: Develop a tool for security research that can relay NFC/RFID communications over long distances using the wireless hardware, demonstrating vulnerabilities in contactless payment and access systems.

Unique Projects

• Emergency Mesh Network Node: Create a disaster-resilient communication system where Flipper devices form a mesh network using ESP32 WiFi capabilities. The C program handles message routing, encryption, and data synchronization across the network, with the esp controller extending communication range in emergency scenarios

• Radio Telescope Data Collector: Build a distributed radio astronomy data collection network where multiple Flipper devices with esp controllers capture and wirelessly transmit radio frequency data to a central processing station.

Mobile Projects

Designed to be mobile, battery-powered or car-powered, and deployable in a go-bag or go-case (Pelican waterproof hard case, antennas, etc.)

• Mobile APRS Rig: Flipper Zero as the brains of the operation, software layer, connected to GPS hardware.

• Mobile Wardriving Rig: Flipper Zero scanning wifi networks, connected to GPS hardware. Kismet or other tool.

• Mobile Foxhunt Rig: Transmitting a foxhunt signal (morse code beacon, or automated voice beacon) on a VHF frequency (144, 440, other)

Semester Project Ideas

Smart Agriculture Protocol Bridge

Project Overview:

• Create a gateway that bridges LoRa sensors in agricultural fields with WiFi-connected farm management systems. Students will translate between long-range LoRa sensor data and standard WiFi/HTTP protocols.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding LoRa modulation and packet structure
• JSON data serialization/deserialization
• HTTP client programming
• Basic protocol translation concepts

Technical Requirements

• Hardware: Flipper Zero + Pioneer controller + ESP32 addon + LoRa sensor nodes (SX1276 modules)
• Protocols: LoRa (433MHz) ↔ WiFi/HTTP (2.4GHz)
• Data Types: Soil moisture, temperature, humidity readings

Implementation Details:

Core C functions students implement:

• lora_packet_decode() - Parse incoming LoRa sensor data
• json_serialize_sensor_data() - Convert to standard format
• wifi_http_post() - Send to cloud platform
• protocol_mapping_table() - Maintain sensor ID translations

Deliverables:

• Working gateway device with 3+ sensor nodes
• Web dashboard showing real-time sensor data
• Protocol documentation and packet capture analysis
• Performance testing report (range, latency, packet loss)

Assessment Milestones

• Week 4: LoRa reception and basic parsing
• Week 8: WiFi transmission and cloud integration
• Week 12: Complete system with error handling
• Week 16: Documentation and performance analysis

Industrial IoT Protocol Converter

Project Overview:

• Develop a gateway that translates between Zigbee industrial sensors and Modbus TCP networks. Students will work with real industrial protocols used in manufacturing and building automation.

Learning Objectives:

• Zigbee network topology and routing
• Modbus protocol implementation
• Real-time data processing and buffering
• Industrial communication reliability patterns

Technical Requirements

• Hardware: Flipper Zero + Pioneer controller + ESP32 + Zigbee coordinator module
• Protocols: Zigbee (2.4GHz) ↔ Modbus TCP over Ethernet
• Data Types: Machine status, energy consumption, alarm conditions

Implementation Details:

C Advanced functions students develop:

• zigbee_cluster_handler() - Process different Zigbee application clusters
• modbus_tcp_server() - Implement Modbus TCP slave functionality
• data_mapping_engine() - Complex protocol field translations
• alarm_priority_queue() - Handle critical industrial alerts
• network_redundancy_manager() - Failover mechanisms

Deliverables:

• Gateway supporting 10+ Zigbee devices
• Modbus TCP client for testing and visualization
• Industrial HMI integration demonstration
• Comprehensive protocol mapping documentation
• Fault tolerance and recovery testing report

Assessment Milestones:

• Week 3: Zigbee network formation and device discovery
• Week 6: Basic Modbus TCP implementation
• Week 10: Complete protocol translation with data mapping
• Week 14: Industrial reliability features and testing
• Week 16: Integration demo and comprehensive documentation

Emergency Communications Hub

Project Overview:

• Build a multi-protocol emergency communication system that bridges amateur radio APRS packets (VHF), emergency service trunked radio systems (UHF), and internet connectivity for disaster response coordination.

Learning Objectives:

• Amateur radio packet protocols (AX.25/APRS)
• Trunked radio system analysis
• Emergency communication standards
• Real-time message routing and prioritization
• Cryptographic message integrity

Technical Requirements:

• Hardware: Flipper Zero + Pioneer controller + ESP32 + RTL-SDR + audio interface
• Protocols: APRS (144.39MHz) ↔ P25/DMR (400-500MHz) ↔ WiFi/Internet
• Data Types: Position reports, emergency messages, resource requests

Implementation Details:

Complex C system functions:

• aprs_packet_decoder() - Full AX.25 protocol implementation
• p25_trunk_tracker() - Track and decode trunked radio systems
• message_priority_router() - Route based on emergency classifications
• geofencing_engine() - Location-based message filtering
• encryption_handler() - Secure sensitive emergency communications
• mesh_networking() - Peer-to-peer emergency network formation

Deliverables:

• Multi-protocol emergency gateway
• Emergency coordinator web interface with mapping
• Mobile app for field personnel
• Crypto key management system
• Disaster simulation testing report
• Integration with existing emergency management software

Assessment Milestones

• Week 4: APRS decoding and basic position plotting
• Week 7: Trunked radio monitoring implementation
• Week 10: Internet gateway and web interface
• Week 13: Security features and encryption
• Week 16: Full system demonstration with simulated emergency

Proprietary Protocol Reverse Engineering Gateway

Project Overview:

• Students will reverse engineer an unknown proprietary wireless protocol (provided by instructor) and create a gateway that translates it to standard MQTT for IoT integration. This teaches protocol analysis, reverse engineering, and documentation skills.

Learning Objectives:

• RF signal analysis and protocol reverse engineering
• Custom protocol implementation from specifications
• MQTT broker integration and topic design
• Security analysis of proprietary systems
• Professional documentation and presentation skills

Technical Requirements:

• Hardware: Flipper Zero + Pioneer controller + ESP32 + spectrum analyzer software
• Protocols: Unknown proprietary (various frequencies) ↔ MQTT over WiFi
• Analysis Tools: GNU Radio, Universal Radio Hacker, custom signal processing

Implementation Details:

C Reverse engineering and implementation functions:

• signal_analyzer() - Statistical analysis of unknown signals
• protocol_state_machine() - Implement discovered protocol logic
• packet_validator() - CRC/checksum verification functions
• mqtt_topic_mapper() - Dynamic topic generation from protocol fields
• security_analyzer() - Identify encryption/obfuscation methods
• protocol_fuzzer() - Test discovered protocol robustness

Deliverables:

• Complete protocol reverse engineering report
• Working gateway implementation
• MQTT integration with dashboard visualization
• Security assessment and vulnerability analysis
• Protocol specification documentation
• Professional presentation to industry panel

Assessment Milestones

• Week 3: Initial signal capture and basic analysis
• Week 6: Protocol structure identification and hypothesis
• Week 9: First working decoder implementation
• Week 12: Complete gateway with MQTT integration
• Week 15: Security analysis and vulnerability testing
• Week 16: Final presentation and peer review

(General Project Info)

Resources

• Development Environment Setup
• IDE: Platform.io with ESP32/Flipper Zero toolchains
• Testing: RF signal generators, protocol analyzers
• Documentation: Technical writing templates and standards

Grading Rubric (Applicable to All Projects):

• Technical Implementation (40%): Code quality, protocol accuracy, performance
• Documentation (25%): Technical specs, user manuals, code comments
• Innovation (20%): Creative solutions, advanced features, optimization
• Presentation (15%): Demo quality, technical explanation, Q&A handling

Prerequisites:

• C programming proficiency
• Basic RF/wireless communication theory
• Embedded systems fundamentals
• Network programming concepts