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 External LEDs

In the previous chapter, we learned how to work with a built-in programmable LED matrix display and a pair of programmable built-in push buttons. We are now comfortable with using them in our projects.

This chapter explores how to connect with external discrete LEDs and products based on them. We will create exciting projects involving LEDs. We will also use our knowledge of working with built-in buttons to add interactivity to our projects. After that, we will start creating electronic circuits and program them with MicroPython.

The following is the list of topics that we will explore in this chapter:

  • Breadboards and solderless circuits
  • LEDs and their programming
  • Chaser effect
  • RGB LED
  • Seven-segment display

Let’s explore programming LEDs with MicroPython and a Micro:bit.