Sensor Board for micro:bit

Learn to use the sensor board for micro:bit from Monk Makes

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Written By: Cherie Tan
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Difficulty

Easy

Steps

12

Time Required

Introduction

The MonkMakes Sensor Board for micro:bit will easily enable you to sense the sound, temperature and light level around you.

In this guide, learn to connect it to the micro:bit with alligator clips, and program it in the MakeCode Editor and MU Editor.

Tools

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    • The sensor board for micro:bit from Monk Makes has three built-in sensors that can sense sound, temperature, and light level.

    • They can be easily connected to the micro:bit with alligator clips, or through the use of the Micro:bit GPIO T-type Expansion Board.

    • It can be programmed in both the MakeCode editor (Blocks interface and Javascript interface) and in MU editor (Micropython).

    • Attach a red alligator clip from 3V on the sensor board to 3.3V on the micro:bit

    • Attach a black alligator clip from GND on the sensor board to GND on the micro:bit

    • Attach an alligator clip from Sound on the sensor board to P0 on the micro:bit

    • Attach a alligator clip from Temperature on the sensor board to P1 on the micro:bit

    • Attach an alligator clip from Light on the sensor board to P2 on the micro:bit 

  7. basic.forever(function () {
    led.plotBarGraph(
    pins.analogReadPin(AnalogPin.P0) - 511,
    512
    )
})

    • Open up the MakeCode editor

    • Click on 'New Project'

    • Add this code to the Javascript interface in MakeCode editor.

    • Jump to the Step 11 to upload this code to the micro:bit. 

  8. let reading = 0
let temp_c = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    reading = pins.analogReadPin(AnalogPin.P1)
    temp_c = Math.idiv(reading * 75, 1000) - 14
    basic.showNumber(temp_c)
    basic.pause(500)
})

    • Replace the existing code with the following in the Javascript interface.

    • Jump to the Step 11 to upload the code to the micro:bit.

    • Temperature readings in Degree Celsius will be displayed on the micro:bit's LED matrix. 

  9. basic.forever(function () {
    led.plotBarGraph(
    pins.analogReadPin(AnalogPin.P2),
    100
    )
})

    • Replace the existing code with the following in the Javascript interface.

    • Jump to the Step 11 for instructions on uploading the code to the micro:bit.

    • Here is an example of using the Sensor Board to display a bargraph to indicate the light level. Cover your finger over the light sensor to decrease the light level, the bargraph should have less LEDs lighting up. Shine a flashlight on it to increase its light level and the bargraph will light up accordingly!

    • Click the download button in the bottom left corner of the screen. This will download a hex file (computer program file)  which the micro:bit can read.

    • Next, plug in your micro:bit, this will reveal a USB on your computer

    • Lastly copy across the downloaded file to the micro:bit by dragging and dropping it into the MICRO:BIT drive. The micro:bit will flash as the code is being uploaded. Once done, unplug the micro:bit. 

  11. from microbit import *

while True:
    sleep(25)
    pin0reading = pin0.read_analog() # sound - blue line
    pin1reading = pin1.read_analog() # temperature - green line
    pin2reading = pin2.read_analog() # light - orange line
    print((pin0reading, ((pin1reading-400)*5), pin2reading))

    • Alternatively, the Sensor Board can also be programmed in Micropython by using the MU editor. This code will display a graph with all three readings in real-time.

    • Click on the 'Plotter' icon up the top on the MU Editor interface.

    • Clap your hands or tap the table next to the sensor board. The blue line corresponding to the analog reading of the sound will change accordingly. 

    • Shine a torch on the sensor board, near the light sensor, and the value of the orange line will increase.