MicroPython for the BBC Micro:bit

Name: MicroPython for the BBC Micro:bit
Rating: 4.4 (83 reviews)

Get familiarized with MicroPython for the BBC Micro:bit

Created byVenkatesh Varadachari, Naveen PS

Last updated 7/2022

English

What you'll learn

Learn to write code in MicroPython for any hardware that supports it
Learn to work with all on-board peripherals of the Micro:bit using MicroPython
Learn the working and interfacing of external peripherals
Learn the working of relays, LCD and BMP180 sensor through projects

Course content

5 sections • 25 lectures • 2h 53m total length

Introduction to the course6:27
Explore MicroPython for the BBC micro:bit using the Mu editor; learn to program onboard and external peripherals, build projects from weather stations to home automation, and access comprehensive resources.
Using the Mu Editor6:09
Set up the Mu editor and write your first MicroPython program for the micro:bit. Compare Mu with the online MicroPython editor while exploring REPL, plotting, and file management.
MicroPython Basics9:38
Master MicroPython basics on the micro:bit, including numbers, strings, variables, and operator precedence. Explore typecasting and the while and for loops with hands-on REPL experiments.
Advanced MicroPython8:54
Learn conditional statements, lists, and dictionaries in MicroPython on the micro:bit, and build a simple calculator that uses input and basic operations: add, subtract, divide, and multiply.
MicroPython Modules for the Micro:bit7:24
Explore MicroPython functions and modules on the micro:bit by building a simple calculator, using def and return, and importing modules for reusable code.
Working with the File System6:26
Learn to store and manage files on the micro:bit's internal persistent, flat file system (about 30 kilobytes) using the os module, including creating, writing, reading, and deleting files.
Quiz 1

Working with the buttons and the LED Matrix7:25
Learn to use the micro:bit's on-board buttons and led matrix with MicroPython, controlling pixels, scrolling text, displaying built-in and custom images, creating animations, and building a button-led matrix project.
Working with temperature, the touch and the light sensor5:00
Explore how to use the BBC micro:bit temperature, touch, and light sensors with MicroPython, including reading ambient temperature, detecting touch on pin 0–2, and measuring light with the LED matrix.
Working with the accelerometer and the compass6:45
Explore using the micro:bit accelerometer and compass with MicroPython, reading x, y, z axes, gesture detection, and compass heading, and learn to build a metal detector and digital compass.
Working with Radio Communication6:54
Explore micro:bit radio communication by sending and receiving messages between two boards, and learn to configure radio parameters such as channel, group, and transmission power using the radio library.
Quiz 2
Assignment 1

LED Dimmer using a Potentiometer9:13
Interface an led and a potentiometer with the micro:bit using an edge connector breakout board and pwm to dim the led. Read the potentiometer's analog value to drive pwm brightness.
What is an LDR and a PIR Sensor?6:28
Explore how an ldr works and why a pull-down resistor is needed, then learn how a pir sensor detects motion, its components, and adjustments for sensitivity and time delay.
Interfacing Sensors and Reading Sensor Values6:45
Interface the LDR and PIR sensors with the micro:bit, read analog and digital values, and trigger an X on the LED matrix when motion is detected at night.
What is a speaker and how to interface it?7:17
Learn the working principle and internal diagram of a speaker, and master interfacing it with the micro:bit using pin 0 or any analog pin.
Music and Speech Synthesis in the Micro:bit6:11
Learn the micro:bit music library to play built-in melodies and create custom tunes with MicroPython, then add speech synthesis with the speech module for interactive projects.
Quiz 3
Assignment 2

Working of a Relay7:00
Explore the working principle and internal structure of a relay, including NO, NC, and COM contacts, and learn to interface it with the micro:bit using MicroPython.
Interfacing of a Relay with the Micro:bit7:27
Explore interfacing a two-channel relay module with the micro:bit, including optocouplers for galvanic isolation, transistor switches, flyback diodes, and 5V power with shared ground.
Automatic Night Light Project5:44
Learn normally closed and normally open relay modes, wire appliances, and build a micro:bit based automatic night light that uses a light sensor to switch a CFL on and off.
Intruder Detection4:28
Interfacing a PIR sensor with the micro:bit for home automation, add an intruder detection feature that triggers speech output during night motion, and update the automatic nightlight project accordingly.
Remote Home Automation using 2 Micro:bits6:57
Explore remote home automation using two micro:bits to wirelessly control two appliances via a 2 channel relay module, with radio communication and practical relay interfacing.
Assignment 3

Working of a 16x2 LCD over I2C9:26
Explore how a 16x2 monochrome LCD works over I2C, interface it with the micro:bit using a PCF8574A LCD backpack, and scan I2C addresses for weather station projects.
Interfacing 16x2 LCD over I2C6:42
Interface a 16x2 LCD with the micro:bit over I2C using the PCF847A backpack and the I2CLCD_Microbit_lib to display alphanumeric text from address 0x3F.
LCD Notice Board Project using the Micro:bit7:37
Master the lcd notice board project for the micro:bit by using setcmd instruction codes with the hd44780 interface to control a 16x2 lcd and implement left scrolling.
Working and Interfacing of BMP180 over I2C6:08
Explore the working principle of the BMP180 sensor and its I2C interfacing with the micro:bit, reading pressure, temperature, and altitude via a library and sensor calibration data.
Weather Station Project5:25
Interface a lcd and bmp180 on i2c to build a weather station on the micro:bit. Display real-time temperature, pressure, altitude, and light on a 16x2 lcd.
Assignment 4

Requirements

Completing our “Introduction to BBC Micro:bit” course is recommended.
Basic understanding of Electronics
No prior knowledge in Programming is required
Good logical thinking

Description

July 2022 Update

Updated Bill of Materials

Hello learners, Welcome to MAKERDEMY’s "MicroPython for the BBC Micro:bit" course. If you are looking for that special course which will help you gain confidence to explore the Micro:bit using MicroPython, you have come to the right place. This is an intermediate level course and prior knowledge of Micro:bit is essential to follow this course.

Through an innovative pedagogy of mixing projects and concepts, this course will help you learn the WHY, HOW and WHAT. To this end, this course is beyond a cook book. You will always know WHY you are doing something. For the more curious learners, we have ample resources to dive in to and continue your learning journey.

In just three hours, you will be confident enough to write code in MicroPython for any compatible hardware. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of the Micro:bit and learn to interface a variety of sensors and peripherals with the Micro:bit. As a part of this course, we will build from ground up, a Weather Station using the Micro:bit with an LCD panel and a BMP180 Sensor. We will also implement a Remote Home Automation Project using a relay module.

If you are a hobbyist, a teacher, a student or an engineer with a basic understanding of electronics and want to learn or teach physical computation with Microbit, this is the course for you

So, what are you waiting for?! Come, join me in this course. I am looking forward to being your instructor and to guide you in tinkering with the BBC Micro:bit using MicroPython.

Who this course is for:

A hobbyist looking to learn to program the Micro:bit in MicroPython
A student with a basic understanding of electronics and want to use the Micro:bit to interact with the Physical World
An engineer who wants do fast prototyping of projects using the Micro:bit
A teacher looking to introduce physical computing in his or her class, using MicroPython in the Micro:bit

MicroPython for the BBC Micro:bit

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Getting started with MicroPython for the Micro:bit6 lectures • 45min

Working with the On-board Peripherals4 lectures • 26min

Working with the External Peripherals5 lectures • 36min

Home Automation Projects with the Micro:bit5 lectures • 32min

Weather Station Project with the Micro:bit5 lectures • 35min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: