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.

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Table of Contents (22 chapters)
Preface
Preface
Who this book is for
What this book covers
To get the most out of this book
Download the example code files
Download the color images
Conventions used
Get in touch
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1
Part 1: Getting Started with the BBC Micro:bit
Part 1: Getting Started with the BBC Micro:bit
Free Chapter
2
Chapter 1: Introduction to the BBC Micro:bit
Chapter 1: Introduction to the BBC Micro:bit
Technical requirements
The history of the Micro:bit
The specifications of Micro:bit V1 and Micro:bit V2
Powering up the Micro:bit
Breakout boards
Fritzing to create circuit diagrams
Summary
Further reading
3
Chapter 2: Setting Up the Micro:bit and Using Code Editors
Chapter 2: Setting Up the Micro:bit and Using Code Editors
Technical requirements
BBC Micro:bit versus Raspberry Pi
The Python programming language
Introduction to MicroPython
MicroPython code editors
Using offline IDEs for MicroPython
Manually upgrading the firmware
Restoring the out-of-the-box experience program
Summary
Further readings
4
Chapter 3: Python Programming Essentials
Chapter 3: Python Programming Essentials
Technical requirements
Getting started with Python programming
Conditional statements
Loops
Computing prime numbers, factorials, and Fibonacci series
Summary
Further reading
5
Chapter 4: Advanced Python
Chapter 4: Advanced Python
Technical requirements
Lists, tuples, and dictionaries
Functions
Recursion
Object-oriented programming with Python
Getting help for built-in modules
Retrieving system properties with code
Summary
Further reading
6
Part 2: Programming Hardware with MicroPython
Part 2: Programming Hardware with MicroPython
7
Chapter 5: Built-in LED Matrix Display and Push Buttons
Chapter 5: Built-in LED Matrix Display and Push Buttons
Technical requirements
Built-in programmable 5x5 LED matrix
Images and animations
Working with built-in push buttons
Summary
Further reading
8
Chapter 6: Interfacing External LEDs
Chapter 6: Interfacing External LEDs
Technical requirements
Breadboards and solderless circuits
LEDs and their programming
Chaser effect
RGB LEDs
Seven-segment display
Summary
Further reading
9
Chapter 7: Programming External Push Buttons, Buzzers, and Stepper Motors
Chapter 7: Programming External Push Buttons, Buzzers, and Stepper Motors
Technical requirements
Push buttons
Slide switches
Buzzers
Stepper motors
Summary
Further reading
10
Part 3: Filesystems and Programming Analog I/O
Part 3: Filesystems and Programming Analog I/O
11
Chapter 8: Exploring the Filesystem
Chapter 8: Exploring the Filesystem
Technical requirements
Creating and reading files
Appending a file
Creating our own library
The OS module
Working with MicroFS
Summary
Further reading
12
Chapter 9: Working with Analog Input and PWM
Chapter 9: Working with Analog Input and PWM
Technical requirements
Micro:bit analog pins
Potentiometers
Photoresistors
PWM signals
Handling multiple analog devices
PWM using an RGB LED
Joysticks
Summary
Further reading
13
Part 4: Advanced Hardware Interfacing and Applications
Part 4: Advanced Hardware Interfacing and Applications
14
Chapter 10: Working with Acceleration and Direction
Chapter 10: Working with Acceleration and Direction
Technical requirements
Accelerometer
Data logging
Compasses
Audio and compass
Summary
Further reading
15
Chapter 11: Working with NeoPixels and a MAX7219 Display
Chapter 11: Working with NeoPixels and a MAX7219 Display
Technical requirements
NeoPixel products
The NeoPixel library
Adding interactivity to the projects
Interfacing a MAX7219/7221-based 7-segment 8-digit display
Summary
Further reading
16
Chapter 12: Producing Music and Speech
Chapter 12: Producing Music and Speech
Technical requirements
Connecting a speaker
Melodies
Custom melodies
Tempo and pitch
Working with a microphone
Working with speech
Summary
17
Chapter 13: Networking and Radio
Chapter 13: Networking and Radio
Technical requirements
A wired network with GPIO pins
Working with radio
Basketball using Micro:bit
Rock, paper, scissors
Voting using the Micro:bit
Summary
Further reading
18
Chapter 14: Advanced Features of the Micro:bit
Chapter 14: Advanced Features of the Micro:bit
Technical requirements
Capacitive touch
Temperature sensor
Light sensor
Summary
19
Chapter 15: Wearable Computing and More Programming Environments
Chapter 15: Wearable Computing and More Programming Environments
Technical requirements
Programming a pedometer using a Micro:bit
Fall detector
Sewable and wearable computing
More programming frameworks
Summary
Conclusion
Further reading
20
Index
Index
Why subscribe?
21
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Data logging

Figure 10.3 only shows the changes in the x axis data. Just one axis is insufficient for making effective decisions, such as fall detection, pitches, yaws, and rolls. We need to collect data from the x, y, and z axes. This data will make interpretation more accurate and reliable, as fall patterns can’t be analyzed just from one axis. Hence, it is essential to have data stored in a file so it can be used for analysis. Data logging is a method of storing the data coming from sensors, actuators, or any subsystems to keep a record, which will further help decision-making and monitoring. Data visualization is equally essential; it is easier to observe the significant changes via graphs and figures.

In the following program, the movement of the Micro:bit board is recorded with the help of an accelerometer. Based on the tilt, we are displaying the image on an LED array display:

from microbit import *
while True:
    sleep(120)
   ...
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