Broadcasting to 50 devices

[plajjd]

I'm fairly new to WiFi, but would like to have one ESP32 device be able to talk to 50 other ESP32 devices. I would like to avoid needing a router or powerful AP. I don't mind using all broadcast packets - meaning, it is OK if all 50 devices receive every packet.

I have tried ESP-MESH, but it has a few drawbacks. (Such as requiring a router for initial configuration)

I would like to have the main device send a broadcast that ALL 50 devices can hear. I will build in a simple protocol so that only ONE device responds to each broadcast. I think a "UDP Broadcast" is what I need, but am interested in details, and if there are other options.

Question:
=> Is it possible to have a "connection-less" WiFi architecture that allows ALL the ESP32 devices to "hear" the broadcast? (Meaning, I would like the application layer in each device to receive the broadcast)

I would appreciate it if you could give me examples, or point me to documentation about how to do this.

Thanks!

[WiFive]

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... p_now.html