Beginning MicroPython with the Raspberry Pi Pico: Build Electronics and IoT Projects (Maker Innovations Series)

Program the Raspberry Pi Pico, the latest microcontroller board from raspberrypi.org, with MicroPython. This book will take you on a tour of the Raspberry Pi Pico, including how to get started using the microcontroller, seeing which alternative microcontrollers are available, and how to connect and run simple code examples. You’ll program example projects in MicroPython using Python on your PC as a learning platform. Then build your hardware skillset working with electronics and breadboard circuits. You'll implement example projects with all steps explained, including hardware connections and executing the project. Then apply them to real-world, approachable projects using the accessible Raspberry Pi Pico! The book shows how the cloud is used for IoT data and find out what popular cloud systems currently exist for IoT. Finally, you'll use ThingSpeak for hosting IoT data including connecting your Pico to the Internet. Beginning MicroPython with the Raspberry Pi Pico allows you to build up your skills to more advanced IoT projects and Cloud systems! What You Will Learn Build valuable programming skills with MicroPython Explore the Raspberry Pi Pico and similar boards Develop your own electronics and IOT projects Incorporate the Grove component system with the Raspberry Pi Pico Who This Book Is For Beginners interested in learning to work with the Raspberry Pi Pico using MicroPython on microcontrollers with little to no experience in programming, hardware, or electronics. The book should also appeal to those who wanting to gain experience with building electronic solutions with microcontrollers. Table of Contents About the Author About the Technical Reviewer Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Introducing the Raspberry Pi Pico What Is a Microcontroller? A Tour of the Raspberry Pi Pico Introducing the RP2040 Pico Hardware Overview RP2040-Based Alternatives Adafruit Feather 2040 Adafruit ItsyBitsy RP2040 Adafruit QT Py SparkFun Pro Micro – RP2040 SparkFun Thing Plus – RP2040 SparkFun MicroMod Pi RP2040 Processor Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect Pimoroni Pico LiPo Getting Started with the Pico Where to Buy Required Accessories Optional and Recommended Accessories Preparing Your Computer Installing MicroPython on the Pico Manual Install Using Thonny Connecting to the Pico Using the REPL Console with a Serial Communication Utility Starting the REPL Console (macOS and Linux) Connecting to the Pico with Thonny Summary Chapter 2: Introducing MicroPython Getting Started Origins MicroPython Features MicroPython Limitations What Does MicroPython Run On? Experimenting with Python on Your PC Installing Python 3 on Windows 10 Installing Python 3 on macOS Installing Python 3 on Linux Running the Python Console Running Python Programs with the Interpreter How It Works File Operations with a Utility File Operations with Thonny Off and Running with MicroPython Example 1 – Blink the LED Example 2 – Toggle the LED Example 3 – Timer Saving Your Work Summary Chapter 3: How to Program in MicroPython Basic Concepts Code Blocks Comments Arithmetic Output to Screen Variables and Statements Types Basic Data Structures Lists Tuples Dictionaries Statements Conditional Statements Loops Modularization Including Modules Functions Classes and Objects Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Terminology Python Object Syntax Learning Python by Example How Do I Create and Execute Python Files? Example 1: Using Loops Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge Example 2: Using Complex Data and Files Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge Example 3: Using Functions Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge Example 4: Using Classes Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge For More Information Summary Chapter 4: Low-Level Hardware Support The Pico GPIO Header MicroPython Libraries Built-In and Standard Libraries Overview sys uio ujson uos Built-In Functions and Classes Exceptions MicroPython-Specific Libraries machine Custom Libraries Low-Level Libraries Working with Low-Level Hardware Drivers and Libraries to the Rescue! Using Breakout Boards Inter-integrated Circuit (I2C) What Is I2C? Overview Required Components Set Up the Hardware Write the Code Execute Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) Overview Required Components Set Up the Hardware Write the Code Execute Summary Chapter 5: Electronics for Beginners The Basics Tools Multimeter Soldering Iron Wire Strippers Helping Hands Using a Multimeter Testing Continuity Measuring Voltage Measuring Current Measuring Resistance Powering Your Electronics Electronic Components Button Capacitor Diode Fuse Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Relay Resistor Switch Transistor Voltage Regulator Breakout Boards Breadboard and Jumper Wires Basic Electronics Kit Using a Breadboard to Build Circuits What Are Sensors? How Sensors Measure Analog Sensors Digital Sensors Examples of Sensors Accelerometers Audio Sensors Barcode Readers Biometric Sensors Capacitive Sensors Coin Sensors Current Sensors Flex/Force Sensors Gas Sensors Light Sensors Liquid Flow Sensors Liquid-Level Sensors Location Sensors Magnetic Stripe Readers Magnetometers Moisture Sensors Proximity Sensors Radiation Sensors RFID Sensors Speed Sensors Switches and Pushbuttons Tilt Switches Touch Sensors Video Sensors Weather Sensors Electronics Resources Summary Chapter 6: Project: Hello, World! MicroPython Style Getting Started with Pico Projects One Step at a Time! Some Assembly Required Handle with Care! Overview Required Components Set Up the Hardware Write the Code Design Libraries Needed Planning the Code Imports Setup Initialize New Helper Functions Core Code Test the Breakout Boards Test the RTC Breakout Board Test the OLED Breakout Board Execute Taking It Further Summary Chapter 7: Project: Pedestrian Crossing Overview Required Components Set Up the Hardware Write the Code Imports Setup Functions Execute Taking It Further Summary Chapter 8: Project: Soil Moisture Monitor Overview Required Components Pico Omnibus Pico Display Soil Moisture Sensor Potential Hardware Conflicts Set Up the Hardware Load the Pimoroni Image on the Pico Connecting the Hardware Write the Code Calibrating the Sensor Class Modules ReadTimer SoilMoisture Constructor Public Functions Private Functions PlantDisplay Main Code Execute Taking It Further Summary Chapter 9: Introducing Grove Overview The Grove Component System Capabilities How Does It Work? I2C Digital Analog UART Limitations Components Available Host Adapters Modules Cabling and Connectors Where to Buy Grove Components Using the Components with Your Pico Summary Chapter 10: Project: Sound Activated Lights Overview Required Components Grove Shield for Pi Pico Sound Sensor Grove RGB LED Grove Kits Set Up the Hardware Write the Code Libraries Needed Code Layout Imports Functions Main Function Setup Execution Loop Execute Taking It Further Summary Chapter 11: Project: Simon Game Overview Required Components Grove Dual Button Grove LCD RGB Backlight Set Up the Hardware Using a Mounting Plate Write the Code Install Software Libraries Create the Class Modules Buzzer Class Buttons Class Simon Class Main Code Module Execute Taking It Further Summary Chapter 12: Project: Monitoring your Environment Project Overview Required Components About the Hardware Grove OLED 0.96 Grove I2C High Accuracy Temperature Sensor (MCP9808) Grove Temperature and Barometer Sensor (BMP280) Grove Air Quality Sensor Grove Dust Sensor Set Up the Hardware Using a Mounting Plate Write the Code Install Software Libraries Create the Class Modules DustSensor Class AirMonitor Class Main Code Module Execute Going Further Summary Chapter 13: Introducing IoT for the Cloud Overview What Is the Cloud? What Is Cloud Computing Then? How Does the Cloud Help IoT? IoT Cloud Systems IoT Cloud Services Available Data Storage Data Transformation (Queries) Visualization Tools Routing and Messaging Connecting Your Pico to the Internet Pico WiFi Modules ESP8266 WiFi Module for Raspberry Pi Pico DiP-Pi WiFi Master for Raspberry Pi Pico Maker Pi Pico Base Pico Wireless Pack So, Which One Do You Choose? Using the Pico Wireless Pack IoT Project Examples Example 1: Pedestrian Crossing Set Up the Hardware Write the Code Imports Global Variables Functions Needed Execute Example 2: Soil Moisture Monitor Set Up the Hardware Write the Code Main Code HTML Code (Files) Imports Constants Setup Code Helper Functions Main Function Complete Code Soil Moisture Class Public Functions Using Locks Using the SD Card Completed Code Execute Improving the Code Summary Chapter 14: Using ThingSpeak Getting Started Create an Account in ThingSpeak Create a Channel How to Add ThingSpeak to Your Projects Using ThingSpeak with the Pico Configuring the Raspberry Pi Pico Write the Code Testing the Script Example Project: IoT Environment Monitor Required Components Set Up the Hardware Create the ThingSpeak Channel Prepare the Project Files Update the Main Code Execute and Visualize the Data Public View Summary Appendix Index