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

Interfacing a MAX7219/7221-based 7-segment 8-digit display

MAX7219/7221 are 7-segment 8-digit driver ICs that use the serial interface. We can find their documentation at the following web pages:

  • https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/power/display-power-control/MAX7219.html
  • https://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/MAX7219-MAX7221.pdf

Following is the photograph of a MAX7219-based 7-segment 8-digit LED display:

Figure 11.11 – 7-segment 8-digit display with pins

We can see all the pins clearly in Figure 11.11. Connect VCC to the 3V pin of the Micro:bit and GND to the ground. Connect DIN and CLK to pins 15 and 13 of the Micro:bit, respectively. Finally, connect CS to pin 0. We can use any digital I/O pin of the Micro:bit. I have written the demonstration programs assuming that pin 0 is connected to CS. If you decide to change the pin, please make the appropriate changes to the program.

I have referred to the library at https...