Get Started with MicroPython on Raspberry Pi Pico

Synopsis

Raspberry Pi Pico is a new low-cost, high-performance microcontroller board with flexible digital interfaces. Microcontrollers are computers stripped back to their bare essentials. You don’t use monitors or keyboards, but program them to take their input from, and send their output to the input/output pins. Using these programmable connections, you can light lights, make noises, send text to screens, and much more.

In Get Started with MicroPython on Raspberry Pi Pico, you will learn how to use the beginner-friendly language MicroPython to write programs and connect up hardware to make your Raspberry Pi Pico interact with the world around it. Using these skills, you can create your own electro‑mechanical projects, whether for fun or to make your life easier.

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to MicroPython

* Overview of MicroPython and its benefits
* Real example: Setting up MicroPython on a Raspberry Pi Pico

Chapter 2: Basic Programming Concepts

* Variables, operators, and data types
* Control flow: if-else and while loops
* Real example: Writing a simple program to print "Hello World!"

Chapter 3: Input and Output

* Reading and writing to the console
* Using LEDs and buttons for input and output
* Real example: Controlling an LED using a button

Chapter 4: Sensors and Data Acquisition

* Connecting sensors to the Raspberry Pi Pico
* Reading analog data from sensors (e.g., temperature, light)
* Real example: Building a simple temperature monitor

Chapter 5: Actuators and Control

* Using motors, servos, and other actuators
* Closed-loop control using feedback
* Real example: Controlling a servo motor using a potentiometer

Chapter 6: Communication

* UART, SPI, and I2C communication protocols
* Reading and writing data from external devices
* Real example: Sending data to a computer via UART

Chapter 7: Projects

* Building a line-following robot
* Creating an Internet of Things (IoT) device
* Designing a portable weather station

Real-World Example for Chapter 5: Controlling a Servo Motor using a Potentiometer

Materials:

* Raspberry Pi Pico
* MicroPython firmware
* Servo motor
* Potentiometer

Code:

```micropython
from machine import Pin, PWM
import time

potentiometer = Pin(26, Pin.IN)
servo = PWM(Pin(2), freq=50)

while True:
value = potentiometer.read_u16()
servo.duty_u16(value)
time.sleep(0.1)
```

Explanation:

* The potentiometer is connected to analog input pin 26.
* The servo motor is connected to digital output pin 2, which is configured as a PWM signal.
* The code continuously reads the value from the potentiometer and sets the duty cycle of the PWM signal on pin 2.
* This causes the servo motor to rotate to the corresponding position based on the potentiometer setting.