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Using MCP23008 & MCP23017 with CircuitPython
How to wire up and use the MCP230xx I2C I/O extender with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect a MCP23008 or MCP23017 I2C I/O extender to a CircuitPython board and control it with Python code!
sino:bit MicroPython
Learn how to run MicroPython on the sino:bit world learning computer!
by Tony DiCola
Learn about a port of MicroPython to the sino:bit, a variant of the BBC micro:bit and Calliope Mini but built for a worldwide audience of learners. Control the sino:bit's big 12x12 LED matrix directly with Python code!
Using MPL3115A2 with CircuitPython
How to use the MPL3115A2 barometric pressure sensor with CircuitPython
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect a MPL3115A2 barometric pressure sensor to a CircuitPython board and read its pressure, altitude, and temperature from Python code!
Cyber Flower: Digital Valentine
Create a touch reactive flower that shows your love this Valentines day!
by Tony DiCola
Use a Gemma M0 running CircuitPython code to animate colors on its built-in DotStar LED and light up a silk flower with beautiful colors. When you touch the flower it animates a heart beat to show its love!
Using Servos With CircuitPython and Arduino
How to use servo motors with CircuitPython and Arduino
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect a servo motor and control its movement with both CircuitPython and Arduino code.
Using DS18B20 Temperature Sensor with CircuitPython
How to connect and use a DS18B20 one-wire temperature sensor with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect a DS18B20 one-wire temperature sensor to a CircuitPython board and control it with Python code!
Using Piezo Buzzers with CircuitPython & Arduino
*beep* *beep* *boop*
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect a piezo buzzer to a CircuitPython board and use it to generate tones from Python code. Also covers basic piezo usage with Arduino.
Using VCNL4010 Proximity Sensor
How to use the VCNL4010 proximity and ambient light sensor with Arduino or CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
The sensor uses an infrared LED to bounce light off objects in front of it and time how fast it takes for the light to return. You could do all this yourself with LEDs and light sensors, but the VCNL4010 wraps all that logic up into a stand-alone chip for you! With the VCNL4010 you can easily read the proximity (i.e. if an object is near or far) and even ambient light level over a simple I2C connection.
Porting an Arduino library to CircuitPython: VL6180X Distance Sensor
Learn about porting an Arduino library to CircuitPython with the VL6180X distance sensor.
by Tony DiCola
See what steps are needed to take a library written for Arduino and convert it into a module that can work with CircuitPython. You'll see the process of converting the VL6180X distance sensor into a CircuitPython module and learn tips about porting Arduino/C or C++ code to Python!
CircuitPython Basics: I2C and SPI
Learn how to talk to I2C and SPI devices with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn about common serial protocols for talking to hardware like sensors, actuators, and more. This guide shows how to use the I2C and SPI protocols in CircuitPython to read two temperature sensors.
CircuitPython Basics: Analog Inputs & Outputs
Learn how to control analog, or continuous voltage, values with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn about analog signals and how they differ from digital signals, how to read them with analog to digital converters, and how to generate them with digital to analog converters and pulse-width modulation!
CircuitPython Basics: Digital Inputs & Outputs
Learn how to control digital inputs and outputs with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Use digital inputs and outputs from CircuitPython to control simple hardware like LEDs, buttons, relays, buzzers, and more.
Fidget Spinner Tachometer
Measure the speed of a fidget spinner with Circuit Playground's light sensor!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to use Circuit Playground and Circuit Playground Express' built in light sensor to detect how fast a fidget spinner is spinning with both Arduino and CircuitPython code!
Digital Fidget Spinner
Build a fidget spinner that has no moving parts with Circuit Playground!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to build a digital fidget spinner with Circuit Playground or Circuit Playground Express that spins the LEDs around when you tap the side of the board. See how to build the spinner with Arduino, CircuitPython or Microsoft MakeCode!
CircuitPython Hardware: MPR121 Capacitive Touch Breakout
Learn how to use the MPR121 capacitive touch sensing breakout with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Easily detect touch from any CircuitPython board with the I2C-based MPR121 capacitive touch sensor breakout. Learn how to wire up the breakout and use a CircuitPython module to control it.
CircuitPython Hardware: LIS3DH Accelerometer
Learn how to use the LIS3DH accelerometer with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
The LIS3DH is an inexpensive 3-axis accelerometer with great features like tap detection. It's so nice you'll even find it built in to boards like Circuit Playground! Learn how to use this accelerometer with CircuitPython code.
MicroPython Smart Holiday Lights
Decorate with MicroPython-powered holiday lights you control from a web page!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to animate a strand of NeoPixels with MicroPython running on the ESP8266 WiFi microcontroller. Control the lights directly from a web page!
MicroPython Displays: Drawing Shapes
How to draw basic shapes on pixel-based displays with MicroPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to use a port of the Adafruit GFX library to MicroPython so you can draw shapes like lines, rectangles, circles and triangles!
CircuitPython Hardware: ILI9341 TFT & FeatherWing
How to draw on a ILI9341 TFT display with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect and use a ILI9341 TFT display breakout and FeatherWing with a CircuitPython and MicroPython board. Focuses on CircuitPython and MicroPython for the ESP8266 and M0/SAMD21 boards.
MicroPython Displays: Drawing Text
How to write text on any MicroPython display.
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to use a MicroPython text drawing module to write and scroll messages on LED matrix, Charlieplex LED, NeoPixel matrix, and other displays.
CircuitPython Hardware: Charlieplex LED Matrix
How to use Charlieplex LED matrices with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect and use Charlieplex LED matrix breakouts and FeatherWings with a CircuitPython or MicroPython board. Focuses on the ESP8266 and SAMD21 CircuitPython and MicroPython ports.
CircuitPython Hardware: LED Backpacks & FeatherWings
How to use LED Backpacks & FeatherWings with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect and use LED matrix and segment display backpacks & FeatherWings with a CircuitPython board. Focuses on CircuitPython and MicroPython for the ESP8266 and M0 / SAMD21.
CircuitPython Hardware: PCA9685 DC Motor & Stepper Driver
How to use the PCA9685 DC Motor & Stepper driver with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect the PCA9685 DC Motor & Stepper driver to a CircuitPython board and use it with a simple Python module. Focuses on CircuitPython and MicroPython on the ESP8266 and M0 / SAMD21 processors.
CircuitPython Hardware: PCA9685 PWM & Servo Driver
How to use the PCA9685 PWM & servo driver with CircuitPython!
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect the PCA9685 PWM & servo driver to a CircuitPython board and use it with a simple Python module. Focuses on CircuitPython and MicroPython on the ESP8266 and M0 / SAMD21 processors.
CircuitPython Hardware: SSD1306 OLED Display
How to use a SSD1306 OLED display with CircuitPython boards.
by Tony DiCola
Learn how to connect a SSD1306 OLED display to a CircuitPython board and control it with a simple Python module. Focuses on CircuitPython & MicroPython for the ESP8266 and M0 / SAMD21.