MicroPython CircuitPython

Jessie 106 Published: 11/19/2024

MicroPython CircuitPython

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MicroPython and CircuitPython are two popular open-source programming platforms that allow you to create interactive projects using Python-like syntax on microcontrollers.

What is MicroPython?

MicroPython is a lean and efficient implementation of the Python 3 programming language, including a small subset of the Python standard library. It's designed to run on microcontrollers with limited resources (RAM, flash), making it an excellent choice for developing IoT projects that require low power consumption, minimal memory usage, and ease of use.

What is CircuitPython?

CircuitPython is another popular open-source platform based on MicroPython, but specifically designed for interactive projects involving physical computing, like robotics, IoT, and maker projects. It's built on top of the MicroPython firmware and adds support for various libraries and modules to interact with external devices (e.g., sensors, motors, displays).

Key Features:

Lightweight: Both platforms are designed to be lightweight, making them perfect for microcontrollers with limited resources. Easy to Learn: As Python-based, MicroPython and CircuitPython have a familiar syntax for those already comfortable with programming in Python. Flexible: Support for various hardware configurations and libraries enables you to create projects that involve different sensors, motors, displays, and more! Low Power Consumption: Optimized for low power consumption, making them suitable for battery-powered devices or energy-harvesting applications.

What can I do with MicroPython/CircuitPython?

IoT Projects: Develop interactive IoT projects using various sensors (temperature, humidity, light, etc.) and actuators (motors, LEDs, etc.). Robotics: Create autonomous robots that can interact with their environment using sensors and motors. Maker Projects: Design and build projects involving displays, buttons, and other input/output devices. Prototyping: Use MicroPython/CircuitPython for rapid prototyping and testing of ideas before moving to more complex platforms.

Conclusion:

MicroPython and CircuitPython offer a fantastic way to get started with programming microcontrollers using Python-like syntax. Their lightweight nature, ease of use, and flexibility make them perfect for various maker and IoT projects. Whether you're looking to create interactive robots, IoT devices, or simply want to learn the basics of microcontroller programming, these platforms are an excellent choice!

Thonny circuitpython example

I'll provide a thorough and detailed response about CircuitPython examples using Thonny.

What is Thonny?

Thonny is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for CircuitPython, an open-source variant of Python optimized for microcontrollers. It allows developers to create, run, and debug code on CircuitPython-based boards without needing to manually upload or compile the code. Thonny provides a user-friendly interface with features like syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and debugging capabilities.

CircuitPython Examples using Thonny

Here are some examples of how you can use Thonny to create engaging projects with CircuitPython:

LED Blinking: Create a simple LED blinking project by writing a few lines of code in Thonny: 
import time

import board


led = board.D13  # Replace D13 with your LED pin


while True:


led.on()


time.sleep(0.5)


led.off()


time.sleep(0.5)

Upload the code to your CircuitPython-enabled board, and you'll see an LED blinking on and off every half-second.

Temperature Sensor: Use Thonny to create a temperature sensor project that reads data from an ADT7410 temperature sensor: 
import board

import analogio


temperature_sensor = analogio.ADT7410(I2C(scl=board.SCL, sda=board.SDA))


while True:


temp_celsius = temperature_sensor.temperature


print(f"Temperature: {temp_celsius:.2f}°C")


time.sleep(1)

Upload the code to your board and connect a temperature sensor. Thonny will display the current temperature reading every second.

Game Development: Create a simple game, such as Tic-Tac-Toe, using CircuitPython and Thonny: 
import board

import digitalio


display = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.D2)


while True:

Game logic goes here

if player_turn:


print("Player's turn")


else:


print("Computer's turn")


time.sleep(1)

Upload the code to your board and use a display library (like Adafruit's DisplayIO) to create an interactive game experience.

Audio Projects: Use Thonny to create audio-related projects, such as playing a WAV file or generating tones: 
import board

import audiobusio


audio = audiobusio.AudioIn(board.AUDIO_IN)


while True:

Play a WAV file

with open("file.wav", "rb") as f:


audio.play(f.read())

Upload the code to your board and connect an audio component (like a speaker or headphones) to hear the played audio.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of Thonny and CircuitPython in creating innovative projects. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, Thonny provides a user-friendly interface for exploring the capabilities of CircuitPython-based boards.

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