MicroPython for the Internet of Things : A Beginner’s Guide to Programming with Python on Microcontrollers

Quickly learn to program for microcontrollers and IoT devices without a lot of study and expense. MicroPython and controllers that support it eliminate the need for programming in a C-like language, making the creation of IoT applications and devices easier and more accessible than ever. __MicroPython for the Internet of Things__ is ideal for readers new to electronics and the world of IoT. Specific examples are provided covering a range of supported devices, sensors, and MicroPython boards such as Pycom’s WiPy modules and MicroPython’s pyboard. Never has programming for microcontrollers been easier. The book takes a practical and hands-on approach without a lot of detours into the depths of theory. The book: * Shows a faster and easier way to program microcontrollers and IoT devices * Teaches MicroPython, a variant of one of the most widely used scripting languages * Is friendly and accessible to those new to electronics, with fun example projects **What You'll Learn** * Program in MicroPython * Understand sensors and basic electronics * Develop your own IoT projects * Build applications for popular boards such as WiPy and pyboard * Load MicroPython on the ESP8266 and similar boards * Interface with hardware breakout boards * Connect hardware to software through MicroPython * Explore the easy-to-use Adafruit IO connecting your microcontroller to the cloud **Who This Book Is For** Anyone interested in building IoT solutions without the heavy burden of programming in C++ or C. The book also appeals to those wanting an easier way to work with hardware than is provided by the Arduino and the Raspberry Pi platforms. Contents About the Author About the Technical Reviewer Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: What Is the Internet of Things? The Internet of Things and You IOT Is More Than Just Connected to the Internet IOT Services A Brief Look at IOT Solutions Sensor Networks Medical Applications Automotive IOT Solutions Fleet Management IOT and Security Security Begins at Home Secure Your Devices Use Encryption Security Doesn’t End at the Cloud Python and the IOT Origins Online Python Simulator Summary Chapter 2: Introducing MicroPython Getting Started Origins MicroPython Features MicroPython Limitations What Does MicroPython Run On? Experimenting with Python on Your PC Installing Python 3 on Windows 10 Installing Python 3 on macOS Installing Python 3 on Linux Running the Python Console Running Python Programs with the Interpreter How MicroPython Works The Run, Evaluate, Print Loop (REPL Console) Connect the Board Starting the REPL Console (Windows) Starting the REPL Console (macOS and Linux) Off and Running with MicroPython Additional Hardware Basic Electronics Kit Breadboard and Jumper Wires Example 1: Example 2: Example 3: Summary Chapter 3: MicroPython Hardware Getting Started with MicroPython Boards Firmware Updates Networking Issues One Step at a Time! Programming Tools Some Assembly Required GPIO Pins Other Tips Visit the Community Forums Handle with Care! PC Doesn’t Recognize the SD Drive Loose or Missing Jumpers MicroPython-Ready Boards Pyboard Overview More About the Hardware Getting Started with Pyboard Loading the Firmware Networking with the Pyboard Where to Buy WiPy Overview More About the Hardware Getting Started with WiPy Connecting to Your WiFi Network Using the SD Drive Loading the Firmware Special Applications Where to Buy MicroPython-Compatible Boards BBC micro:bit Up and Running with MicroPython Where to Buy Circuit Playground Express (Developer Edition) Up and Running with CircuitPython Where to Buy Adafruit Feather Huzzah Up and Running with MicroPython Where to Buy Other Boards Breakout Boards and Add-Ons Breakout Boards Board-Specific Shields/Skins Pyboard WiPy and Related Board-Specific Accessories Pyboard WiPy and Related Boards BBC micro:bit Which Board Should I Buy? Summary Chapter 4: How to Program in MicroPython Basic Concepts Code Blocks Comments Arithmetic Output to Screen Variables Types Basic Data Structures Lists Tuples Dictionaries Statements Conditional Statements Loops Modularization; Modules, Functions, and Classes Including Modules Functions Classes and Objects Learning Python by Example Example 1: Using Loops Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge Example 2: Using Complex Data and Files Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge Example 3: Using Functions Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge Example 4: Using Classes Write the Code Execute the Code Your Challenge For More Information Summary Chapter 5: MicroPython Libraries Built-In and Standard Libraries Overview Common Standard Libraries sys uio ujson uos utime Built-In Functions and Classes Exceptions MicroPython Libraries Overview Common MicroPython Libraries machine network Custom Libraries Summary Chapter 6: Low-Level Hardware Support Board-Specific Libraries Pyboard pyb lcd160cr WiPy pycom AES Low-Level Examples Drivers and Libraries to the Rescue! Real-Time Clock (RTC) Callbacks Using Breakout Boards Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) Summary Chapter 7: Electronics for Beginners The Basics Tools Multimeter Soldering Iron Wire Strippers Helping Hands Using a Multimeter Testing Continuity Measuring Voltage Measuring Current Measuring Resistance Powering Your Electronics Electronic Components Button Capacitor Diode Fuse Light Emitting Diode (LED) Relay Resistor Switch Transistor Voltage Regulator Breakout Boards and Circuits Using a Breadboard to Build Circuits What Are Sensors? How Sensors Measure Analog Sensors Digital Sensors Examples of Sensors Accelerometers Audio Sensors Barcode Readers Biometric Sensors Capacitive Sensors Coin Sensors Current Sensors Flex/Force Sensors Gas Sensors Light Sensors Liquid-Flow Sensors Liquid-Level Sensors Location Sensors Magnetic-Stripe Readers Magnetometers Moisture Sensors Proximity Sensors Radiation Sensors RFID Sensors Speed Sensors Switches and Pushbuttons Tilt Switches Touch Sensors Video Sensors Weather Sensors Summary Chapter 8: Project 1: Hello, World! MicroPython Style Overview Required Components Set Up the Hardware WiPy Pyboard Write the Code Design Libraries Needed Changes to ssd1306.py for the WiPy Changes to uRTC.py for the Pyboard Changes to ssd1306.py for the Pyboard Planning the Code Imports Set Up Initialize New Function Test the Parts of the Code Test the RTC Breakout Board Test the OLED Breakout Board Completed Code Execute! Taking It Further Summary Chapter 9: Project 2: Stoplight Simulator Overview Required Components Set Up the Hardware WiPy Pyboard Write the Code Part 1: Stoplight Simulator – Using a Pushbutton Imports Setup Functions Test and Debug the Code Part 2: Stoplight Simulator – Remote Control with HTML Imports Setup Functions Completed Code Execute! Taking it Further Summary Chapter 10: Project 3: Plant Monitoring Overview Required Components Set Up the Hardware WiPy Pyboard Write the Code Calibrating the Sensor Part 1: Sensor Code Module High-Level Design Setup and Initialization Constructor Public Functions Private Functions Complete Code Changes for the Pyboard Part 2: Main Code HTML Code (Files) Imports Imports Network Time Protocol The run() Function Complete Code Changes for the Pyboard Execute! Taking it Further Summary Chapter 11: Project 4: Using Weather Sensors Overview Message Queue Telemetry Transport How It Works Clients Brokers Getting Started with Adafruit IO Required Components Set Up the Hardware Configure Adafruit IO Set Up Feeds Set Up a Dashboard Get Your Credentials Write the Code MQTT Driver BME280 Library Weather Class Design Imports Constructor Read Data Function Message Callback Function Run Function Completed Code Main Code Imports Global Definitions Connect Function Run Function Completed Code Execute! Taking it Further Summary Chapter 12: Where to Go from Here More Projects to Explore MicroPython Project Samples Forums Documentation Repositories Community Project Sites: Hackster.io Knowledge Repositories: learn.adafruit.io Join the Community Why Contribute? Which License, Where? How We Share Keep Your Designs Original Check the License Keep It Appropriate Annotate Your Work Be a Good Citizen Suggested Communities Become a Maker What’s a Maker? Share Your Ideas Attend an Event Summary Appendix Required Components Optional Components Recommended Tools Index