Add ULP Solar Repeater suite

.gitmodules

@@ -25,3 +25,6 @@
 [submodule "firmware/rcc6-headless-companion"]
 	path = firmware/rcc6-headless-companion
 	url = https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-RCC6-Headless.git
+[submodule "firmware/ulp-solar-repeaters"]
+	path = firmware/ulp-solar-repeaters
+	url = https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters.git

FLASHING.md

@@ -69,6 +69,18 @@ python -m esptool --chip esp32c6 --port COM21 write-flash 0x0 <recovery-image.bi
 
 Do not run a full-chip erase. Recovery resets NVS-backed BLE bonds and saved Wi-Fi but does not reach the SPIFFS data partition at `0xC90000`.
 
+## ULP Solar Repeaters
+
+Use the dedicated [ULP release](https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc.1) and choose the exact V3, V4, RAK4631, RAK3401 1 W, Xiao ESP32-S3, Xiao nRF52840, RCC6, or RC52 image. RCC6 and RC52 have separate headless and TFT files.
+
+- ESP32 normal install: flash the matching `*-app.bin` at `0x10000`.
+- nRF52 normal install: enter the board bootloader and copy the matching `.uf2` without erasing or replacing its SoftDevice/bootloader.
+- Keep USB connected after restart and run `NeonPocketMC-ULP-Configurator.zip` to set the name, radio preset/region, transmit power, admin password, and power profile.
+- New installs default to `ulp on` (balanced receive duty cycle). Existing saved settings remain authoritative; use `ulp on` once when upgrading an older repeater that had power saving disabled.
+- RX duty cycling can miss packets. Validate coverage and current draw before a remote deployment.
+
+None of these boards provides a universal raw-solar input. Use a protected battery and external MPPT/charge controller matched to the panel and cell; never wire an unregulated panel directly to VBAT or USB.
+
 ## Troubleshooting
 
 For a blank screen, boot loop, or storage error, capture a 115200-baud log and report:

README.md

@@ -134,6 +134,14 @@ These frames were captured from the OLED framebuffer running on the physical Hel
 
 Capture provenance and checksums are recorded with each device gallery under [`docs/images`](docs/images).
 
+## ULP Solar Repeaters
+
+[NeonPocketMC ULP Solar Repeaters](https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters) are experimental MeshCore 1.17.1 builds for Heltec V3/V4, RAK4631, RAK3401 1 W, Xiao ESP32-S3, Xiao nRF52840, RCC6, and RC52. RCC6 and RC52 each have separate headless and 220×128 TFT images.
+
+Power saving is **ON by default** on new installs. The recommended balanced profile combines MCU sleep with SX1262 receive duty cycling; the simple USB configurator handles name, radio preset, transmit power, admin password, and the ULP level before deployment. This work is based on and fully attributes [IoTThinks' EasySkyMesh power-saving implementation](https://github.com/IoTThinks/EasySkyMesh/releases/tag/PowerSaving17.1).
+
+> RX duty cycling trades receive availability for energy savings and can miss packets. Solar deployments still require a protected battery and an external MPPT/charge controller matched to the panel and cell—never connect a raw panel directly to VBAT or USB.
+
 ## Current builds
 
 Each product release is pinned to an exact source commit and artifact checksum in [`catalog.json`](catalog.json). Board-specific bootloaders, partitions, displays, and radio power paths remain separate.
@@ -151,6 +159,7 @@ Each product release is pinned to an exact source commit and artifact checksum i
 | RCC6 without TFT | Screenless BLE, native-USB, or Wi-Fi Web/TCP companion | [v1.0.0-rc.1](https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-RCC6-Headless/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc.1) | Flash the selected app `.bin` at `0x10000` |
 | RCC6 | Ultimate MQTT observer/repeater with setup WebUI | [v1.3.0-rc.1](https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-RCC6-Repeater/releases/tag/v1.3.0-rc.1) | Flash the observer app at `0x10000`, then run the configurator |
 | RCC6, TFT optional | Ultimate minimal or full Room Server | [v1.3.0-rc.1](https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-RCC6-Repeater/releases/tag/v1.3.0-rc.1) | Pick minimal/full and headless/TFT, then flash its app at `0x10000` |
+| V3, V4, RAK4631, RAK3401 1 W, Xiao ESP32-S3/nRF52840, RCC6, RC52 | Experimental ULP Solar Repeater; RCC6/RC52 headless or TFT | [v1.0.0-rc.1](https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc.1) | Pick the exact board image; use app-only `.bin` at `0x10000` or matching nRF52 `.uf2` |
 | SenseCAP Indicator D1L | DeskOS touch companion with repeater and room management | [v1.7.9](https://github.com/n30nex/DeskOS-MeshCore/releases/tag/v1.7.9) | Existing DeskOS: app at `0x20000`; fresh install: full 8 MB image at `0x0` |
 
 The RCC6 Web companion and networked service builds now use human-first dashboards with traffic bars, delivery and signal analytics, nearby-radio freshness, and coordinate-backed maps that never invent node locations. The MQTT observer/repeater defaults to **3-byte packet hash mode**. Its Windows/Linux configurator covers node name, radio preset and custom radio values, Wi-Fi, MQTT broker selection, and post-setup IP discovery. The preferred public brokers are `mqtt1.meshcore.ca` and `mqtt2.meshcore.ca`; the other upstream-compatible brokers remain selectable/configurable.
@@ -163,7 +172,7 @@ Exact install filenames, sizes, SHA-256 values, release links, and source commit
 
 ## Source layout
 
-The nine firmware histories intentionally remain separate because they target different chips, bootloaders, transports, displays, and deployment roles. This repository indexes them as pinned Git submodules:
+The ten firmware histories intentionally remain separate because they target different chips, bootloaders, transports, displays, and deployment roles. This repository indexes them as pinned Git submodules:
 
 ```text
 firmware/
@@ -175,6 +184,7 @@ firmware/
   rcc6-companion/
   rcc6-headless-companion/
   rcc6-mqtt-repeater/
+  ulp-solar-repeaters/
   deskos-meshcore/
 ```
 
@@ -198,7 +208,7 @@ git submodule update --init --recursive
 - **SenseCAP Indicator D1L:** use the DeskOS update image at `0x20000` on an existing install. The full 8 MB image at `0x0` is destructive and only for a fresh or unrecoverable device. The RP2040 SD bridge uses a separate UF2/BOOTSEL step; neither path formats the SD card.
 - RCC6 merged recovery images stop well before SPIFFS and preserve MeshCore identity, contacts, channels, and preferences; they reset NVS-backed BLE bonds and saved Wi-Fi.
 - The RC52 and RCC6 boards do **not** contain an MPPT controller suitable for an unregulated solar panel. Outdoor solar installs need an external regulator/charger matched to the panel and protected 1-cell battery.
-- These are community prereleases, not official Heltec or MeshCore firmware.
+- ULP Solar Repeaters are community builds based on IoTThinks EasySkyMesh power-saving work; they are not official IoTThinks, Heltec, RAKwireless, Seeed Studio, or MeshCore firmware.
 
 See [`FLASHING.md`](FLASHING.md) for practical install and recovery instructions.
 
@@ -208,4 +218,4 @@ Room Server profiles, animated companion startup, RCC6 Diagnostics, and one-butt
 
 [`scripts/verify_catalog.py`](scripts/verify_catalog.py) confirms each Git submodule pin, release URL, digest, and catalog invariant. Product repositories retain their own exact-target build workflows and hardware-specific release evidence.
 
-Root documentation and catalog code are MIT licensed. Each of the nine firmware submodules retains its own upstream and third-party licenses.
+Root documentation and catalog code are MIT licensed. Each of the ten firmware submodules retains its own upstream and third-party licenses.

catalog.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "schema": 1,
-  "suite_version": "1.8.0-rc.1",
+  "suite_version": "1.9.0-rc.1",
   "products": [
     {
       "id": "heltec-v3-companion",
@@ -152,6 +152,42 @@
         {"name": "NeonPocketMC-RCC6-Ultimate-Server-v1.3.0-rc.1-configurator.zip", "size": 17855, "sha256": "8d7136d2fbfd7e51ad5da085deef60c0dc0257ea8a973f6d04d556c2bac82a4f", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-RCC6-Repeater/releases/download/v1.3.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-RCC6-Ultimate-Server-v1.3.0-rc.1-configurator.zip"}
       ]
     },
+    {
+      "id": "ulp-solar-repeaters",
+      "hardware": "Heltec V3/V4, RAK4631, RAK3401 1W, Xiao ESP32-S3/nRF52840, RCC6, and RC52",
+      "role": "Ultra-low-power solar/battery MeshCore repeaters with default-on EasySkyMesh power saving",
+      "repository": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters",
+      "release": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc.1",
+      "tag": "v1.0.0-rc.1",
+      "commit": "f05eff932e52236d35b68e0646850458e3785f97",
+      "submodule": "firmware/ulp-solar-repeaters",
+      "profiles": ["heltec-v3", "heltec-v4", "rak4631", "rak3401-1w", "xiao-esp32s3", "xiao-nrf52840", "rcc6-headless", "rcc6-tft", "rc52-headless", "rc52-tft"],
+      "defaults": {"power_saving": true, "profile": "balanced", "radio_rxps_level": 5, "preamble": 16},
+      "attribution": "IoTThinks EasySkyMesh PowerSaving-v17",
+      "artifacts": [
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V3-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin", "size": 1190656, "sha256": "3376b69596327739514aed7594ddb6d53a8a5dd853623ce257e41e359182557e", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V3-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V3-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin", "size": 1256192, "sha256": "6753b4742d063fecce7af1855c6a8c04943333b7ec5dc82dcf7671be824b0b62", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V3-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V4-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin", "size": 1188336, "sha256": "07b0be8959ae39754a3f0922eede8ff0459939d08f80de7690fe0ff6ced08fc4", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V4-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V4-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin", "size": 1253872, "sha256": "ec24e54630ca99bccc982322db6c34a9da500a62bcdf256fb0ee050a4f9f341a", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Heltec-V4-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK3401-1W-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex", "size": 1402870, "sha256": "954a45207d97e167c5428417069a9e28cd12bec930392a61732719dd2464b5d4", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK3401-1W-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK3401-1W-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2", "size": 997888, "sha256": "082c214ffaadc4e0e50a76d21347bf1968eeefa8b4706fcb361ddaa7ff466548", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK3401-1W-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK4631-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex", "size": 1490367, "sha256": "94b5f57fdc3d6f849c25cf5d87a9bef8ee7ddf5006da9adeed1c1d50bdf11746", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK4631-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK4631-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2", "size": 1059840, "sha256": "9c76de3ea3441fec0b887bc3ee7bb99e9faae0d755a1e0b9290e6663b466f1db", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RAK4631-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex", "size": 1097888, "sha256": "ae39eb8548f91e45ecda7679129eb2cdb0e1591f77f84d0f63c7020af79f9f7c", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2", "size": 780800, "sha256": "bfbf2a900aac5444429a231d8abbabd717f1c43bf9d6da21d3b8f73539f8d8ed", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex", "size": 1155443, "sha256": "05ab9823fea0d2051e36ecd4a96a6270b60c3b159195159fe611df3a4e26fe19", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2", "size": 821760, "sha256": "7ed010f2c05299a133ead72ebed234da985b5edd040d714f183305e22366ad58", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RC52-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin", "size": 573744, "sha256": "120ca0a36cfe68360ccff7c20aa299f8256a6d4b091ac95ea590c7ea21dccb34", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin", "size": 639280, "sha256": "d70b778462ed8cf7856c8a0b5f05664fbac18e75eed12d4d3be85830a421b7ec", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-Headless-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin", "size": 585008, "sha256": "c322b23a2b4b5bf9fffb66d9577a0a9a1028dbbc709630deaf5d416ea9fa0662", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin", "size": 650544, "sha256": "32138e1e59925d342334fc61ade0ba0136be131d590add52f054bf7a900e7e44", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-RCC6-TFT-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-ESP32S3-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin", "size": 1152848, "sha256": "8471587433a4d0b32a636f8581c2ac6dfe8e731c8aeb91df72ba265a5c7cd672", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-ESP32S3-v1.0.0-rc.1-app.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-ESP32S3-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin", "size": 1218384, "sha256": "3a17449ba06eade06fe5ef342203b8e92e277060709602c52a5cd4bbdda09792", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-ESP32S3-v1.0.0-rc.1-full-recovery.bin"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-nRF52840-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex", "size": 1253822, "sha256": "8c5651427e83a3e7af755ee1a1f6eaae566d670ed58b41db01a6e945ff4c02ed", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-nRF52840-v1.0.0-rc.1.hex"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-nRF52840-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2", "size": 891904, "sha256": "4ff83da99e874fb7e4cd086df5b75e34d6e6f6b521f98f397e4b1491cec78f35", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Xiao-nRF52840-v1.0.0-rc.1.uf2"},
+        {"name": "NeonPocketMC-ULP-Configurator.zip", "size": 3638, "sha256": "cd29e4c207c10f9be33654004dd5dded5a0d8a7924783a752fa46e4a4e01ed5d", "url": "https://github.com/n30nex/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Solar-Repeaters/releases/download/v1.0.0-rc.1/NeonPocketMC-ULP-Configurator.zip"}
+      ]
+    },
     {
       "id": "deskos-d1l-client",
       "hardware": "Seeed SenseCAP Indicator D1L with 480x480 touch display",

scripts/verify_catalog.py

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     data = json.loads(CATALOG.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
     assert data["schema"] == 1
     products = data["products"]
-    assert len(products) == 9
+    assert len(products) == 10
     ids: set[str] = set()
     names: set[str] = set()