MicroPython Microcontroller Board
The microcontroller board is a Canadian-made (in-house by Aretas) implementation of the micropython project (which we use in our prototyping projects). The micropython board implements the widely used Python programming language, touted for its code readability and syntax allowing programmers to express concepts in fewer lines of code than with C++ or Java.
The micropython project is nothing short of amazing, allowing developers to access a real-time REPL prompt to run code instantly. In our in-house projects, this has reduced development time of prototype code by 1/5 or more. Sensors, devices or peripherals can be queried on the fly and results seen instantly. Additionally, no cumbersome proprietary IDEs are required to compile or load code into the board. Since the STM microcontroller comes with a bootloader exposed over USB, no additional hardware is required to flash new versions of micropython. No ICSP hardware is required to flash a bootloader and no FTDI adapters are required to load code. All that's needed is a common micro USB cable (the same kind you likely use to charge your phone) and you can view the .py files stored in the device flash memory, edit them directly on the flash memory, or access the REPL prompt over a terminal and run code in real-time.
Connecting
No matter your PC operating system, the boards can connect to devices running Windows, Mac or Linux. A simple micro USB cable connects the board's flash drive allowing you to transfer and save your Python scripts and the automatic serial Python prompt (a REPL) also allows for immediate programming.
Peripherals
The microcontroller board comes standard with a module containing functions and classes to control peripherals such as UART, I2C, DAC, SPI, and ADC.
Controls
Accessing and controlling the microcontroller board with three options:
- REPL: Using micro USB to connect with your PC the board appears as a USB virtual comms port (CDC VCP) which allows any serial program to connect and get a Python REPL prompt. You are now ready to execute Python commands and you can redirect the REPL to any of the peripheral ports (or is this just UARTs?) on the microcontroller board.
- Remote script: Changing the REPL to raw REPL mode is easy allowing you to send arbitrary Python scripts to the board for immediate execution.
- Via file: The built-in flash memory of the microcontroller contains a small filesystem allowing you to copy Python scripts and the board will execute a script when started. An SD card slot allows you to increase the filesystem storage which appears as a standard USB flash storage device on your PC.
Contact a live Aretas representative today to discuss your MicroPython board needs.
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Aretas also offer a tempurature and relative humidity breakout board that works with this microcontroller, read all about it here >>
Features
- STM32F405RG microcontroller.
- 168 MHz Cortex M4 CPU with hardware floating point.
- 1024KiB flash ROM, 192KiB RAM.
- Micro SD card slot, supporting standard and high capacity SD cards
- Micro USB connector for power & serial communication.
- Real time clock with optional battery backup.
- 24 GPIO on left and right edges and 5 GPIO on bottom row, plus LED and switch GPIO available on bottom row.
- 2x 12-bit digital to analog (DAC) converters, available on pins X5 and X6.
- 3x 12-bit analog to digital converters, available on 16 pins.
- 4 LEDs (red, green, blue & yellow).
- 1 reset and 1 user switch.
- DFU bootloader in ROM for easy firmware upgrading.
- On-board 3.3V LDO voltage regulator able to supply up to 300mA, input voltage range 3.6V to 10V.
See micropython.org/doc/ for schematics, layout, and documentation.