It’s an exciting time to get involved with MicroPython, the re-implementation of Python 3 for microcontrollers and embedded systems. This practical guide delivers the knowledge you need to roll up your sleeves and create exceptional embedded projects with this lean and efficient programming language. If you’re familiar with Python as a programmer, educator, or maker, you’re ready to learn—and have fun along the way. Author Nicholas Tollervey takes you on a journey from first steps to advanced projects. You’ll explore the types of devices that run MicroPython, and examine how the language uses and interacts with hardware to process input, connect to the outside world, communicate wirelessly, make sounds and music, and drive robotics projects. * Work with MicroPython on four typical devices: PyBoard, the micro:bit, Adafruit’s Circuit Playground Express, and ESP8266/ESP32 boards * Explore a framework that helps you generate, evaluate, and evolve embedded projects that solve real problems * Dive into practical MicroPython examples: visual feedback, input and sensing, GPIO, networking, sound and music, and robotics * Learn how idiomatic MicroPython helps you express a lot with the minimum of resources * Take the next step by getting involved with the Python community Learn how to use MicroPython to make cool stuff with the BBC micro:bit, a simple, fun, and powerful gateway into both hardware and software development. This practical book assumes no previous knowledge of programming and takes you on a journey from first steps to advanced projects. It's an exciting time to get involved with MicroPython, the re-implementation of Python 3 for microcontrollers and embedded systems. This practical guide delivers the knowledge you need to roll up your sleeves and create exceptional embedded projects with this lean and efficient programming language. If you're familiar with Python as a programmer, educator, or maker, you're ready to learn-and have fun along the way.Author Nicholas Tollervey takes you on a journey from first steps to advanced projects. You'll explore the types of devices that run MicroPython, and examine how the language uses and interacts with hardware to process input, connect to the outside world, communicate wirelessly, make sounds and music, and drive robotics projects.Work with MicroPython on four typical devices: PyBoard, the micro:bit, Adafruit's Circuit Playground Express, and ESP8266/ESP32 boards Explore a framework that helps you generate, evaluate, and evolve embedded projects that solve real problems Dive into practical MicroPython examples: visual feedback, input and sensing, GPIO, networking, sound and music, and robotics Learn how idiomatic MicroPython helps you express a lot with the minimum of resources Take the next step by getting involved with the Python community Copyright 4 Table of Contents 5 Foreword 9 Preface 11 Conventions Used in This Book 12 Using Code Examples 13 O’Reilly Safari 13 How to Contact Us 14 Acknowledgments 14 Chapter 1. What Is MicroPython? 17 Why Micro? 18 Why Python? 20 MicroPython Genesis 25 Dive In! 28 Chapter 2. PyBoard 31 The Hardware 33 Developer Setup 34 Chapter 3. BBC micro:bit 39 The Hardware 41 Developer Setup 43 Chapter 4. Adafruit Circuit Playground Express 49 The Hardware 50 Developer Setup 52 Chapter 5. ESP8266 / ESP32 55 The Hardware 57 Developer Setup 58 ESP8266 58 ESP32 61 Chapter 6. Thinking Embedded 65 Human Drives 69 Abilities of Enchantment 72 Steps on the Ladder of Enchantment 76 Chapter 7. Visual Feedback 79 Blinkenlights 79 NeoPixels (Blinkenlights on Steroids) 83 Text, Images, and Animation 86 PyBoard Colour LCD Display 91 Chapter 8. Input and Sensing 97 Buttons and Capacitative Touch 97 Accelerometers, Gestures, and Compasses 105 Sound, Light, and Temperature 107 Sensing with Peripherals 111 Chapter 9. GPIO 115 Pins 115 UART 119 SPI 121 I2C 124 Miscellaneous GPIO Techniques and Protocols 126 Chapter 10. Networking 129 Circuit Playground Express Infrared 131 The micro:bit Radio 136 ESP8266/32 WiFi 144 MQTT 152 Chapter 11. Sound and Music 157 Bleeps and Bloops 157 Music 167 Speech 170 Chapter 12. Robots 179 Trundle Bot 179 Racer Bot 185 Chapter 13. Idiomatic MicroPython 191 The Zen of MicroPython 193 Memory 193 Performance 198 Chapter 14. Next Steps 201 The Community 201 Going Deeper 202 Index 205 About the Author 210 Colophon 210
