Getting Started with Embedded Python: MicroPython and CircuitPython

Getting Started with Embedded Python
(MicroPython and CircuitPython)
@iAyanPahwa/iayanpahwa

About Me
Embedded Software
Engineer at Mentor
Graphics - A Siemens
Business
Part time blogger
Full time maker
Mentor Graphics is world
leader in Electronics Design
Automation(Tools Business).
I work for Automotive
Embedded Software Division,
which deals in providing
custom solutions, OS and
BSP for IVI and ADAS
systems.
Contact: https://iayanpahwa.github.io

People who are really
serious about software
should make their own
hardware
- Alan Kay
Motivation
-

Motivation

What is MicroPython
The MicroPython project is an open source
implementation of Python 3 that includes a small
subset of the Python standard libraries, and is
optimised to run on microcontrollers with constrained
environments like limited ROM, RAM and processing
power. It came about after a successful Kick-starter
campaign by Damien George.

Python 3
IoT
(Devices)
Microcontrollers
In a NutShell

Opportunities

~20MHz System Clock
~32Kb RAM
~16MB ROM
Single Core
Register Level Access
Microcontrollers

MicroPython
- A small stripped down version on Python3 which runs as ﬁrmware on microcontrollers,
exposes all the low level modules, acting as an operating system.
- It is packed full of advanced features such as an interactive prompt, arbitrary precision
integers, closures, list comprehension, generators, exception handling and more.
- Yet it is compact enough to ﬁt and run within just 256k of code space and 16k of RAM.
- MicroPython aims to be as compatible with normal Python as possible to allow you to
transfer code with ease from the desktop to a microcontroller or embedded target.
- Python APIs for low level hardware modules- GPIOs, UART, PWM, ADC, i2c, SPI.
- Runs directly on bare-metal or under OS env or as emulator.

Python vs μPython vs Arduino
Refer: https://github.com/micropython/micropython/wiki

Boards Supported

The ESP8266
160Kb RAM
802.11 b/g/n
4MB Flash
GPIO, ADC, I2c, SPI

Functions & Libraries Supported

Interaction
Serial REPL (115200 BAUD RATE)
WEB REPL, works over LAN
File System mounts on host
Tools to transfer source code(ex: AMPY)
Emulation on linux host
Unicorn web based emulator

Interaction: Serial
Loading uP on ESP8266 board
Install esptool - pip install esptool
Download uP firmware.bin from GitHub release pages for
your board.
Erase flash - esptool.py --port /path/to/ESP8266
erase_flash
Flash uP firmware - esptool.py --port /path/to/ESP8266 --
baud 460800 write_flash --flash_size=detect 0 firmware.bin
Connect Serial console - screen /dev/tty… 115200

Interaction: WebREPL
Setting up WebREPL
> import webrepl_setup
> Enter ‘E’ to enable it
> Enter and confirm password(defaults
micropythoN)
> Enter ‘y’ to reboot and save changes

Interaction: WebREPL

Interaction: Unicorn
https://micropython.org/unicorn

Interaction: Live
https://micropython.org/live

Interaction: Emulator

(DEMO)
HELLO WORLD OF ELECTRONICS

Interaction: Hello WORlD
// Classic way of Blinking LED
#include “Board_Deﬁnation_File.h”
int main(void)
{
while(1){
DDRB |= (1 << 7);
PORTB |= (1 << 7);
_delay_ms(1000);
PORTB &= ~(1 << 7);
_delay_ms(1000);
}
}
// Make Pin Output
// Send logic 1 to the pin
//Send logic 0 to the pin

Interaction: h3llO WORlD
> from machine import Pin
> from time import sleep
# Make Pin behave as output
> led = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)
> while True:
# Send digital logic 1 to the pin
> led.on()
> sleep(1)
# Send digital logic 0 to the pin
> led.off()
> sleep(1)
MicroPython Way

Interaction: Advance
File System on Flash to store:
WiFi credentials (SSID, PASSOWRD)
boot.py - POST operations
main.py - main executable
You can mount the fs over network, or
transfer files over webREPL or tools like
AMPY.

CircuitPython
https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython
Adafruit fork of MicroPython maintained for
educational purpose around boards sell by
Adafruit industries.
Centred Around ATMEL SAMD21 and ESP8266 SoCs.
Various new modules added like capacitive touch
APIs, Sound outputs, USB HID etc.
Bluetooth Low energy support with newly
supported NRF SoC port.

DISCLAIMER: The stunts will be performed by experts
under expert supervision and no matter how many times
you test before, chances of live demo failures are
incalculable :P
SHOW TIME

Temperature and Humidity Measurement
> import dht, machine
> from time import sleep
# Make Pin behave as output
> d = dht.DHT11(machine.Pin(4))
> while True:
# Measure temp and humidity
> d.measure()
# Print Values
> d.temperature()
> d.humidity()
> sleep(2)

NeoPixel
* 1 wire to control multiple LEDs, color and
brightness.
* 8-bit format for Red, Green, Blue
* RRGGBB
* 0-ff or 0-255

NeoPixel
> import machine, neopixel
# Initialize GPIO and number of pixels
> np = neopixel.NeoPixel(machine.Pin(4), 8)
# Set a Pixel color in RGB format
> np[0] = (255, 0, 0)
>np.write()

Thank You
@iAyanPahwa
/iayanpahwa

Getting Started with Embedded Python: MicroPython and CircuitPython

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