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

Table of 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 MicroPython 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 11
			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: Blink an LED
		Example 2: Blink LEDs in Series
		Example 3: Using a Button
	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!
			Incorrect Switch Settings
			Loose or Missing Jumpers
	MicroPython RP2040 Boards
		Origins of the RP2040
			Introducing the RP2040
		Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W
			Hardware Overview
			Getting Started
			Loading Firmware
				Place Board in USB Mass Media Mode
				Install Firmware in Thonny
				Reconnect/Reboot
				Your First MicroPython Script
			Where to Buy
		Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
			Hardware Overview
			Getting Started
			Loading Firmware
				Downloading the Latest Firmware
				Place Board in USB Mass Media Mode
				Copy the File to the RPI-RP2 Drive
				Reconnect/Reboot
			Where to Buy
		Other RP2040 Boards
			Hardware Overview
			Getting Started
			Loading Firmware
			Where to Buy
	MicroPython-Compatible Boards
		BBC micro:bit
			Hardware Overview
			Getting Started
			Where to Buy
		Circuit Playground Express
			Hardware Overview
			Getting Started
			Where to Buy
	Breakout Boards and Add-Ons
		Breakout Boards
		Board-Specific Shields/Skins
		Board-Specific Accessories
		Breadboard for Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W
		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
			While Loop
			For Loop
			Range or Counting Loop
	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
			io
			json
			os
			time
		Built-In Functions and Classes
		Exceptions
	MicroPython Libraries
		Overview
		Common MicroPython Libraries
			machine
			network
	Custom Libraries
	Summary
Chapter 6: Low-Level Hardware Support
	RP2040-Specific Libraries
		The Flash Class
		PIO Classes
	Board-Specific Libraries
		Raspberry Pi Pico–Specific Libraries
		Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect–Specific Libraries
	Working with Low-Level Hardware
		Drivers and Libraries to the Rescue!
		Network Time Protocol (NTP)
		Callbacks
	Using Breakout Boards
		Inter-integrated Circuit (I2C)
			What Is I2C?
			Overview
			Required Components
			Set Up the Hardware
			Write the Code
			Execute
		Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
			Overview
			Required Components
			Set Up the Hardware
			Write the Code
			Execute
	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: Hello, World! MicroPython Style
	Getting Started with MicroPython Projects
		One Step at a Time!
		Some Assembly Required
		Handle with Care!
	Overview
	Required Components
	Set Up the Hardware
		Connections for the Raspberry Pi Pico
		Connections for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
			Enabling the 5V Pin on the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
	Write the Code
		Design
		Libraries Needed
		Planning the Code
			Imports
			Setup
			Initialize
			New Helper Functions
			Core Code
		Test the Breakout Boards
			Test the RTC Breakout Board
			Test the OLED Breakout Board
	Execute
		Taking It Further
	Summary
Chapter 9: Project: Pedestrian Crossing
	Overview
	Required Components
	Set Up the Hardware
		Connections for the Raspberry Pi Pico
		Connections for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
	Write the Code
		Imports
		Setup
		Functions
	Execute
		Taking It Further
	Summary
Chapter 10: Project: Plant Monitoring
	Overview
	Required Components
	Set Up the Hardware
		Connections for the Raspberry Pi Pico
		Connections for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
	Write the Code
		Calibrating the Sensor
		Part 1: Sensor Code Module
			High-Level Design
			Setup and Initialization
			Constructor
			Public Functions
			Private Functions
			Complete Code
		Part 2: Read Timer Code
		Part 3: Main Code
			HTML Code (Files)
			Imports
			The Main() Function
			Complete Code
	Execute!
	Taking It Further
	Summary
Chapter 11: Project: Using Weather Sensors
	Overview
	Required Components
	Set Up the Hardware
		Connections for the Raspberry Pi Pico
		Connections for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
	Write the Code
		Testing the BME280 Module
		Part 1: Sensor Code Module
			High-Level Design
			Setup and Initialization
			Constructor
			Public Functions
			Private Functions
			Complete Code
		Part 2: Read Timer Code
		Part 3: Main Code
			HTML Code (Files)
			Imports
			The Main() Function
			Threading Code
			Complete Code
	Execute!
	Taking It Further
	Summary
Chapter 12: Cloud Computing
	Overview
		What Is the Cloud?
		What Is Cloud Computing Then?
		How Does the Cloud Help IoT?
	IoT Cloud Systems
		IoT Cloud Services Available
			Data Storage
			Data Transformation (Queries)
			Visualization Tools
			Routing and Messaging
		What Can Cloud Services Do for Our IoT Projects?
	Getting Started with Cloud Computing
		Message Queue Telemetry Transport
		Arduino IoT Cloud
		ThingSpeak
	Summary
Chapter 13: Arduino IoT Cloud
	Overview
	Getting Started with Arduino IoT Cloud
		Create Your Arduino Account
		Create a New Device
		Using Arduino IoT Cloud with MicroPython
			Create a New Thing
			Create a Dashboard
		Install the Arduino IoT Cloud Library
			Notes on Using the Pico
			Notes on Using the Nano RP2040 Connect
			Write the Code
			Execute!
	Project: IoT Pedestrian Crossing
		Required Components
		Set Up the Hardware
			Connections for the Raspberry Pi Pico
			Connections for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
		Set Up Arduino IoT Cloud
			Create a New Thing
			Create a New Dashboard
		Write the Code
			StoplightIoT Class
			Main Code
		Execute!
		Taking It Further
	Summary
Chapter 14: MQTT with Adafruit IO
	Overview
		Clients
		Brokers
	Getting Started with Adafruit IO
		Create Account on Adafruit IO
		Configure Adafruit IO
			Set Up Feeds
			Get Your Credentials
	Project: IoT Weather
	Required Components
	Set Up the Hardware
		Connections for the Raspberry Pi Pico
		Connections for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
		Write the Code
			Installing the MQTT Library for MicroPython
			Secrets File
			Weather Sensor Class
			Main Code
		Execute!
	Taking It Further
	Summary
Chapter 15: ThingSpeak
	Overview
	Getting Started with ThingSpeak
		Create an Account in ThingSpeak
		Create a Channel
		Get Your API Keys
		Using ThingSpeak with MicroPython
			Write the Code
			Execute!
	Project: IoT Plant Monitor
		Create the Channel
		Configure ThingSpeak
			Create the Visualizations
			Create the Widgets
		Required Components
		Set Up the Hardware
			Connections for the Raspberry Pi Pico
			Connections for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
		Write the Code
			SoilMoisture Class for IoT
			Main Code
		Execute!
	Taking It Further
	Summary
Chapter 16: Where to Go from Here
	More Projects to Explore
		MicroPython Project Samples
		Forums
		Documentation
		Repositories
		Community Project Sites: Hackster.io
		Knowledge Repositories: learn.adafruit.com
	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
Index