Beginner programmer

The Beginner Programmer is a learning kit for the first steps with electronics and programming. It allows you to easily connect sensors and control outputs via the micro:bit and the MB2 expansion board with shield with IDC connectors.
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Components


Beginner programmer

BBC MICRO:BIT V2.2

Specifications

This kit includes basic sensors such as an IR sensor, a photoresistor and a color sensor, which allow you to distinguish various stimuli from the environment. Actuators include a DC motor, an OLED display and a programmable LED strip "Neopixel", along with classic single-color LEDs. The kit also includes a button and a potentiometer, providing a wide range of interaction options.

Basic information

Connecting modules

All components can be easily connected with a single cable to our micro:bit-controlled expansion board, making wiring easy and intuitive. The kit is designed to teach you the basics of programming in MakeCode and allow you to control each component through simple, easy-to-understand steps.

Pin numbering

Number X/Y corresponds to the pin number of the micro:bit. We will use this number in the program. Number Z It is for clarity only and is referred to in the manual.

Programming

We program the micro:bit in the MakeCode environment. This environment contains ready-made functions for controlling the micro:bit. In addition to the built-in functions, new functions can be added to the MakeCode environment by adding a so-called library.

 

For most function blocks, you need to select which connector the module is connected to.

Library

In this tutorial, we will use our own Beginner library. The library is designed specifically for this set and contains functions to control all blocks.

On the right is an empty project with an already inserted Beginner's libraryPrograms for specific notebooks can be found below.

Button

Function

The button is the simplest control element. Pressing the button represents the connection (closing) of an electrical circuit, just like connecting 2 wires together. This allows the passage of electrical current to the micro:bit input. The button can be used to control all other blocks in the package, such as the Neopixel, the motor, or individual colored lights.

A button represents an input that has only 2 levels – ON, OFF. We call such an input logical.

Library

A block “button Z pressed” is prepared for the button. Just select the number of the connector Z. The output is a logical value, i.e. true/false. So if we press the button, the block gets the value true. The advanced function has a numeric output 1/0 instead of a true/false output.

Programme

We will show that the button serves as a basic control element. For the following tasks, we will connect the button to connector 1

Task 1: Lighting up the display

In the repeat block, we still check the condition to see if the button is pressed. If it is, we display the icon on the display. If not, we clear the display.

Task 2: Playing dice

In this example, we don't need to use the released button state. We just need to display a number on the display when the button is pressed. To generate the number, we will use a mathematical library that includes the "random number" function. We choose the same number interval as on a classic dice.

LED light

Function

An LED is a component that emits light of a given color. Today it is used almost everywhere, because it is very cheap, energy-efficient and has a long lifespan. We can control an LED both with a logical output and write the values ​​1 and 0 into it, and with an “analog” output and write the value of the light intensity. We have LED modules ready in traffic light colors, i.e. red, orange, green.

Library

Using the library, we can turn on the LED with the “turn on LED” function, or turn it off with the “turn off LED” function. Additionally, the LED can be set to a given intensity using the “write a number to LED” block.

LED also has advanced blocks. “Toggle LED” turns on the LED if it is not lit and turns it off if it is lit. The “Turn on LED? true/false” block turns on the LED if we enter the value true into it.

Programme

We connect the LED to connector 2.

Indicator light

Do connector 1 we connect the button. As in the chapter for the button, we will use the structure with the condition “if x then A, otherwise B”. We will use the value of the button in the condition. If it is pressed, we will light the LED using the “light up LED” block. We must not forget to change the connector number. To turn off the LED, we will use the “turn off LED” block.

Intensity settings

We will connect a potentiometer to connector 1 instead of a button. The structure of the program is very simple. We want to write a number to the LED that represents the intensity of the light. We will get this number from the “number from potentiometer” block.

Setting the flashing frequency

For regular blinking of the LED we will use the block “switch LED”. This is located in the category of more advanced blocks (under the library there is a “more” button). If the LED is on, calling this function will turn the LED off. On the contrary, if the LED is off and we call this function, the LED will turn on. The next step is to set the program pause, i.e. use the block “wait x ms”. Here we will insert the block “number from potentiometer”. Let’s not forget to assign the correct connector numbers to the modules.

Blink frequency setting (advanced)

If we don't want to use the "switch LED" block, we can program this logic ourselves using a condition. In order to determine whether the LED is on or off, we need to store this state in a variable. We will create a variable with the value false. This means that nothing is lit at the beginning of the program. Then, in the loop, we will determine whether we want to turn the LED on or off. If the LED is on, i.e. the variable "lit" is true (lit = true), we will want to turn the LED off using the "turn LED off" block. At the same time, we will write this change of state to our variable "lit". So we will set "lit" to false. Otherwise, we will turn the LED on and write true to the variable.

Finally, we set the program pause again using “wait x ms”, where we use the potentiometer value.

Again, don't forget to set the correct connector numbers everywhere.

Motorbike

Function

The propeller is powered by a direct current motor (DC motor). Such a motor contains a magnet – a stator, which acts on the moving part of the motor – the rotor. As soon as an electric current starts to flow through the coil on the rotor, a magnetic field is created. This reacts with the magnetic field of the stator magnets and creates a force that rotates the rotor. The DC motor is controlled by an analog signal. Depending on the voltage level at the motor terminals, the motor rotates at a given speed. We can also use a potentiometer to adjust the speed.

Library

The blocks for the motor are basically the same as the blocks for the LED. The motor can be turned on or off. In addition, its speed can be set to a numerical value from 0 to 100. Just like the LED, the motor can be switched with one block, or turned on according to a specified logical value of true/false.

Programme

We connect the motor to connector 2.

Switching the motor with a button

We connect a button to connector 1. If the button is pressed, we start the engine. Otherwise, we turn off the engine.

Speed ​​adjustment with potentiometer

We connect a potentiometer to connector 1. Again, we use the same structure as for the LED. We write the value from the potentiometer into the motor spin block.

Light sensor

Function

This sensor is capable of sensing the intensity of incident light. Thanks to this, we are able to measure many things. For example, whether it is day or night, whether the light is on in the room, whether there is an obstacle in front of it, and so on.

The main member of the sensor is photoresistor. Similar to a potentiometer, this is a special type of resistor that changes its resistance value. In this case, the resistance depends on the intensity of the incident light. This again changes the value of the current flowing through the circuit and this is again measured by the micro:bit on its input pin.

On the front of the notebook there is also potentiometerWe use it to perform calibration. For measurements in the dark, we need a different sensitivity than for measurements in the light.

Library

In the case of sensors "Light sensor, IR sensor and UV sensor” we use the same blocks. Their output is a truth value true/false.

In advanced blocks, the same block exists, just with an output 1/0.

Programme

We connect the sensor to connector 1.

Automatic fan

We connect the motor to connector 2. The structure is again the same as for switching the motor with a button. Instead of the value from the button, we use the value from the sensor.

Production line

Do connector 2 connect the red LED to connector 3 green. If the sensor sees an obstacle on the belt, the red LED lights up. Otherwise, the green LED lights up.

IR sensor

Function

This sensor is capable of sensing infrared (IR) radiation, which is invisible to the human eye. This allows us to detect heat, movement, or the presence of objects that emit or reflect IR light.

The main member of the sensor is infrared diode and detector. The diode emits IR rays that bounce off the object and return to the detector. When the detector detects the reflected light, the value of the electrical signal changes, which the micro:bit evaluates on its input pin.

The sensor is on again potentiometer, which we use to set the measured level. If we want to detect an object further from the sensor, we need a more sensitive setting.

Library

In the case of sensors "Light sensor, IR sensor and UV sensor” we use the same blocks. Their output is a truth value true/false.

In advanced blocks, the same block exists, just with an output 1/0.

Programme

The task examples are the same as for the previous sensor.

UV sensor

Function

This sensor is capable of sensing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is invisible to the human eye. This radiation comes from the sun, for example. This allows us to measure how strong the UV radiation is hitting the sensor, which can be useful for monitoring sun safety or detecting UV light sources.

The main element of the sensor is a special photodetector sensitive to UV radiation. When UV light hits it, it generates an electrical signal. This changes the value of the current flowing through the circuit and this change is again measured by the micro:bit on its input pin.

The sensor is on again potentiometer, which we use to set the measured level. If we want to detect an object further from the sensor, we need a more sensitive setting.

Library

In the case of sensors "Light sensor, IR sensor and UV sensor” we use the same blocks. Their output is a truth value true/false.

In advanced blocks, the same block exists, just with an output 1/0.

Programme

The task examples are the same as for the previous sensor.

IR sensor

Function

This sensor is capable of sensing infrared (IR) radiation, which is invisible to the human eye. This allows us to detect heat, movement, or the presence of objects that emit or reflect IR light.

The main member of the sensor is infrared diode and detector. The diode emits IR rays that bounce off the object and return to the detector. When the detector detects the reflected light, the value of the electrical signal changes, which the micro:bit evaluates on its input pin.

The sensor is on again potentiometer, which we use to set the measured level. If we want to detect an object further from the sensor, we need a more sensitive setting.

Library

In the case of sensors "Light sensor, IR sensor and UV sensor” we use the same blocks. Their output is a truth value true/false.

In advanced blocks, the same block exists, just with an output 1/0.

Programme

The task examples are the same as for the previous sensor.

Neopixels

Function

This block contains 8 lights (so-called pixels for us). These are special LEDs that can shine in any color. They are abbreviated RGB, because one such component hides 3 classic LEDs inside, which shine in red (R – red), green (G – green) and blue (B – blue). By combining these colors, we get any color and any brightness level. Some screens of mobile phones, computers and televisions work on this principle.

RGB LED strips are popular these days and have many uses. We can use them, for example, to display the speed of a motor, the rotation of a potentiometer, or the value of other sensors.

Library

To control the Neopixel, it is necessary to create a variable at the beginning of the program that contains all the necessary information, such as the connector number. Then we only need to refer to this variable. In the basic functions there are blocks to display color, rainbow and bar graph.

In the advanced features, you will find the option to reduce brightness, rotate or shift pixels (suitable, for example, for rotating the displayed rainbow), or convert colors from different color spaces.

Programme

This module requires different handling than all other modules. Instead of a start block, you need to create a variable neo that contains all the necessary information about the module used.

Subsequently, there is no need to enter the connector number again, but it is enough to refer to the given neo variable, such as when the red color is lit. We connect the Neopixel to connector 2.

Potentiometer value display

We connect the potentiometer to connector 1. Instead of displaying a graph on the micro:bit display, we can use Neopixel. Thanks to the “show bar graph” function, we can display the potentiometer value in a more clear way. Again, first we refer to the “neo” object, then we insert the displayed value, i.e. “number from the potentiometer”, and in the last cell “to after” we enter the value 100 (the original value), since this is the maximum that we read from the potentiometer.

Smooth color transition (advanced)

This program smoothly changes the hue of the light. We will use the advanced functions of Neopixel, i.e. the selection of a color in the HSL format, i.e. simply hue, saturation and brightness. First, we will create a hue variable and set it to 0. In the loop, we will use the “neo display color” block and instead of the preset color, we will insert the “hue H saturation S brightness L” block. We will insert our variable into the first cell that represents the hue. We will set the saturation to 99 (i.e. the maximum value) and the brightness to 49 (i.e. the middle of the range). Each program cycle, we will add the value 1 to the hue variable. At the beginning, we must then add a condition that will ensure that when the maximum hue value (360) is reached, the variable is reset to zero again.

OLED display

Function

This display is capable of displaying text or simple graphics using individual light points that light up directly on the screen. Thanks to this, we can display various information such as numbers, texts or simple images.

Each pixel of the display is made up of a small LED that lights up according to a signal from the micro:bit, creating the desired image on the display.

Library

For control OLED displays, BME and Color Sensor again we will use a different approach than for the previous modules. The modules communicate using the I2C protocol and use different pins for this. So there is no need to set which connector to connect them to, but this communication needs to be enabled with a block start.

Programme

We will connect the OLED to connector 4. At the beginning of each program we use the OLED start block. If we want to print text or numbers in a loop, we always have to fill all 8 lines. To do this we use the “OLED draw x empty lines” block.

The picture shows a sample of the BME module startup, but it looks the same for OLED

Greeting new member of

To test the OLED function, we will write a greeting on the display.

Displaying a numerical value

Connect the potentiometer to connector 1In this program, we first print the text “potentiometer”, then we skip 1 line, then we write the numerical value from the potentiometer and finally we skip 5 lines.

Writing text and numbers in 1 line

We connect the potentiometer to connector 1. To write both text and numeric value in one line, we will use only the “OLED draw text” block, into which we will insert the “xy connection” block from the Text library. In the x column, we will insert the text “value: “ with a space at the end, in the y column, we will insert the number we want to display. This function will automatically convert the numeric value to text. The rest of the code is the same as the previous example.

BME weather station

Function

This sensor is capable of measuring basic meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Thanks to this, we can monitor weather changes and create various projects, such as a home weather station.

The main element of the sensor is a special chip that contains sensors for measuring temperature, humidity and pressure. Each of these sensors converts the measured values ​​into an electrical signal, which the micro:bit then processes on its input pin and converts into readable values ​​that can be displayed, for example, on an OLED display.

Library

For control OLED displays, BME and Color Sensor again we will use a different approach than for the previous modules. The modules communicate using the I2C protocol and use different pins for this. So there is no need to set which connector to connect them to, but this communication needs to be enabled with a block start.

Programme

We will involve BME in connector 3At the beginning of each program we use the BME start block.

Displaying values ​​on the OLED display

We connect the OLED display to connector 4. We simply write the desired values ​​in all 8 lines. First, we write the name of the measured quantity along with the unit and then the numerical value.

Color sensor

Function

This sensor is capable of recognizing colors and measuring light intensity, allowing us to detect different colors of objects and create interactive projects such as recognizing color codes or sorting objects by color.

The main element of the sensor is a special photo detector that measures the intensity of light in different parts of the spectrum (red, green, blue and infrared). The APDS-9960 sensor evaluates this data and the micro:bit then processes it on its input pin, allowing us to determine what color it is detecting.

Library

For control OLED displays, BME and Color Sensor again we will use a different approach than for the previous modules. The modules communicate using the I2C protocol and use different pins for this. So there is no need to set which connector to connect them to, but this communication needs to be enabled with a block start.

Programme

We will connect the color sensor to connector 3At the beginning of each program, we use the COLOR start block.

Listing color components on an OLED display

We will connect the OLED display to connector 4. In addition to the “COLOR start” block, we will also use “COLOR light up additional LED 3”, since the sensor is connected to connector 3. The additional LED will allow us to measure the color of objects near the sensor. If we bring an object that is red closer to the sensor, the R (red) value will be the highest. Writing to the display is explained in the OLED chapter.

Reflected light temperature

Ke connector 4 We connect the Neopixel. If the light hitting the sensor is warm, it will have a higher red component. If the light is cold, the blue component will be higher. We will use the same logic in the program and display the light temperature on the Neopixel. If the red value is higher than the blue value, the red color on the Neopixel will light up. Otherwise, the blue color will light up.

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