Writing about electronics

2021

MicroPython is an implementation of the Python 3 programming language, optimized to run microcontrollers. It's one of the options available for programming your Raspberry Pi Pico and a nice friendly way to get started with microcontrollers.

MicroPython can be installed easily on your Pico, by following the instructions on the …

2018

An ESP2866 is never going to compete with an actual graphics card. But it has more than enough oomph to explore the fundamentals of 3D graphics. In this short tutorial we'll go through the basics of creating a 3D scene and displaying it on an OLED screen using MicroPython.

This …

We've previously covered the basics of driving OLED I2C displays from MicroPython, including simple graphics commands and text. Here we look at displaying monochrome 1 bit-per-pixel images and animations using MicroPython on a Wemos D1.

Processing the images and correct choice of image-formats is important to get the most detail …

These mini monochrome OLED screens make great displays for projects — perfect for data readout, simple UIs or monochrome games.

Requirements
Wemos D1 v2.2+ or good imitations. amazon
0.91in OLED Screen 128x32 pixels, I2c interface. amazon
Breadboard Any size will do. amazon
Wires Loose ends, or jumper leads.

Setting …

Pulse sensors have become popular due to their use in health-monitors like the Fitbit. The sensors used are cheap, simple and pretty reliable at getting a reasonable indication of heart rate in daily use. They work by sensing the change in light absorption or reflection by blood as it pulses …

Pulse sensors are a common feature of fitness monitors, used to track your activity and cardiac fitness over time. These external monitors use the reflection and absorption of bright green/infra-red light to detect the pulse wave travelling down the artery — a technique called photoplethysmography (PPG). This same techique is …

2017

KropBot is a little multiplayer robot you can control over the internet. Co-operate with random internet strangers to drive around in circles and into walls.

If it is online, you can drive the KropBot yourself!

Requirements
Raspberry Pi Zero W amazon
Pi Zero Camera amazon
Pi Zero Camera Cable Watch …

The Scroll pHAT is a little 11x5 (55) white LED matrix pHAT which you can control easily from a Raspberry Pi. In this project we'll squeeze a tiny-yet-playable game of Tetris onto the Scroll pHAT.

Requirements
Raspberry Pi Zero / Zero W You don't need wireless for this project, but it …
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