The BBC micro:bit is a tiny computer that you can use to create all kinds of projects from robots to musical instruments – the possibilities are endless. Let’s take a look at the features that you can use in your designs:
- 25 red LED lights that can flash messages.
- Two programmable buttons (A and B) that can be used to tell the micro:bit when to start and stop things.
- A thermistor to measure the temperature.
- A light sensor to measure the change in light.
- An accelerometer to detect motion.
- A magnetometer to tell you which direction you’re heading in.
- A radio and a Bluetooth Low Energy connection to interact with other devices.
Useful Links & Tutorials
GrokLearning Tutorials
A fast-paced introduction to programming with the BBC micro:bit.
Special Editor (Simple) - MU
This will allow you to create code and then convert it into a form that Micro:bit understands.
Alternatively, use PyCharm
Pycharm does not natively support micro:bit, so needs extra packages to be added...
Excellent Tutorial Website
A simple introduction to Micro:bit and useful Tutorials to learn to use it.
Accelerometer Tutorial
The accelerometer on a BBC micro:bit measures acceleration, as its name suggests. The accelerometer can measure accelerations of between +2g to -2g.
The micro:bit measures movement along three axes:
- X - tilting from left to right.
- Y - tilting forwards and backwards.
- Z - moving up and down.
Compass Tutorial
A magnetometer measures magnetic field strength in each of three axes. It can be used to create a digital compass or to explore magnetic fields, such as those generated by a permanent magnet or those around a coil through which a current is running.
The interpretation of magnetic field strength is not easy. The driver for the magnetometer returns raw values. Each magnetometer is different and will require calibration to account for offsets in the raw numbers and distortions to the magnetic field introduced by what are known as hard and soft iron interference.
Before doing anything else, you should calibrate your BBC micro:bit but beware:
Warning
Calibrating the compass will cause your program to pause until calibration is complete. Calibration consists of a little game to draw a circle on the LED display by rotating the device.
Other Useful Websites
For detailed understanding of the BBC Micro:bit
Micro:bit Developer Community
