Book Image

BBC Micro:bit in Practice

By : Ashwin Pajankar, Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Saini
Book Image

BBC Micro:bit in Practice

By: Ashwin Pajankar, Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Saini

Overview of this book

This book is a one-stop guide for learning BBC Micro:bit with MicroPython, exploring many hardware components and programming techniques to provide detailed insights into developing practical applications with the Micro:bit. It will also show you how hardware components can be manipulated using a combination of Micro:bit and MicroPython for developing practical projects. BBC Micro:bit in Practice will help you gain a holistic understanding of the BBC Micro:bit platform and MicroPython programming, guiding you through mini projects aimed at developing practical knowledge of circuit design and writing programs. You’ll learn how to write programs for working with built-in LEDs and buttons, interfacing external LEDs, buttons, motors, buzzers, and much more. You’ll also work with built-in radio, speakers, accelerometer, and a compass. You’ll dive into concepts related to the Micro:bit filesystem, interfacing external displays, and working with libraries in detail before exploring sewable circuits and wearable technology. After reading this Micro:bit book, you’ll understand how to apply principles in electronics and MicroPython to create interesting real-life projects from scratch.
Table of Contents (22 chapters)
1
Part 1: Getting Started with the BBC Micro:bit
6
Part 2: Programming Hardware with MicroPython
10
Part 3: Filesystems and Programming Analog I/O
13
Part 4: Advanced Hardware Interfacing and Applications

Accelerometer

An accelerometer is a device that measures the rate of change concerning the direction of force applied to it. It is a device that helps us to measure the vibrations, shock, tilt, and orientation in three dimensions. Now, the question may arise of how an accelerometer can carry out such measurements. Let us consider an example of palm-top devices. Based on the position of the user, the orientation of devices changes. If a user has a tablet PC and uses it horizontally to have a more comprehensive view, the auto-rotate option helps change the view to horizontal. Users don’t even need to make the change manually. This is because an accelerometer is working in real time and the change in orientation will be detected based on how the device is positioned. These features are also available in smartwatches (when you move your hand, the display will turn on), earpads (take them away from the ears and they automatically stop), and so on. Hence, accelerometers are now essential...