This guide will show you how to use Jupyter Notebook with the MCP2221(A) to connect I2C sensors from your desktop PC running Windows, macOS or Linux. You can use any CircuitPython library for any of our I2C sensors to stream data into your computer's USB port.
We've written three interactive Jupyter Notebooks for three different types of sensors - a temperature sensor, an accelerometer and a thermal camera. All of these notebooks have animated graphs so you can see data streaming into your computer in real-time.
This guide is also compatible with the Adafruit FT232H breakout (EXCEPT for the MLX thermal camera example). You'll need to make a small adjustment to the code. See the Jupyter Notebook Examples page for more information.
MCP2221
Our MCP2221A breakout board allows your computer to talk to sensors or devices that use I2C or analog/digital GPIO.
There's no firmware to deal with, so you don't have to deal with how to "send data to and from an Arduino which is then sent to and from" an electronic sensor or display or part.
This board is plug & play compatible with with all of our Stemma QT/Qwiic connector sensors with no soldering required.
CircuitPython Libraries on your Computer
In this guide we will not be using the actual CircuitPython firmware. But we will be installing and using CircuitPython Libraries on your Computer. This allows us to interface with a growing collection of 200+ libraries and drivers.
Jupyter Notebook
Jupyter Notebook is an open-source web application that allows you to create and share documents that contain live code, equations, visualizations and narrative text.
You'll use Jupyter to create interactive notebooks containing live code which interfaces with your MCP2221 and sensors.
Materials
The MCP2221A has a USB-C connector, make sure you pick up the correct cable or adapter for your computer.
The sensors we selected for this guide can be used with a STEMMA QT cable so you can plug-and-play with the MCP2221's STEMMA QT port.
Page last edited March 08, 2024
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