The repository contains MicroPython lab exercises for Erasmus course at Brno University of Technology, Czechia. The course focuses on advanced digital circuits, microprocessor technology, and use of MicroPython language for programming 32-bit microcontrollers. The course provides practical experience in the design and implementation of embedded systems, allowing students to deepen their programming skills and understanding of individual components within microprocessor systems.
To use MicroPython with a real ESP32 board, you will need to follow these steps:
- Download MicroPython firmware
- Flash the firmware
- Connect to the Board's Serial REPL and interact with MicroPython
- Transfer files to the ESP32 board
There are several very good tutorials how to install and use MicroPython on an ESP microcontroller, such as this one for Windows. The following text was tested under Linux-based operating system.
NOTE: The MicroPython firmware can also be flashed by Thonny IDE.
-
Install Python.
-
Open terminal (typically
Ctrl+Alt+T) and installesptool:pip install esptool
Connect your ESP board and test the
esptool:# Get the version esptool.py version # Read chip info, serial port, MAC address, and others # Note: Use `dmesg` command to find your USB port esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 flash_id # Read all eFuses from the chip espefuse.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 summary
For ESP32 chips:
-
Download the latest firmware for your target device, such as
esp32-20230426-v1.20.0.binfor Espressif ESP32. -
Erase the Flash of target device (use your port name):
esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash
-
Deploy the new firmware:
esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash -z 0x1000 esp32-20230426-v1.20.0.bin
For ESP8266 chips:
-
Download the latest firmware, such as
esp8266-20230426-v1.20.0.bin. -
Erase the Flash before deploying the firmware:
esptool.py --chip esp8266 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash
-
Deploy the firmware:
esptool.py --chip esp8266 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size 4MB 0x0 esp8266-20230426-v1.20.0.bin
Test MicroPython via PuTTY or directly in terminal by screen. You need to press on-board reset button:
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 115200Note: To exit the
screen, pressCtrl+A, followed byKandY.
# Print string to a Shell
>>> print("Hi there!")
Hi there!
# Operators used for the different functions like division,
# multiplication, addition, subtraction, ...
>>> 10/3
3.333333
>>> 10//3
3
>>> 10%3
1
>>> 10*3
30
>>> 10**3
1000
# Integers, floats, strings
>>> type(10)
<class 'int'>
>>> type(10.0)
<class 'float'>
>>> pi = 3.1415
>>> pi_str = str(pi)
>>> type(pi_str)
<class 'str'>
>>> len(pi_str)
6
# Convert numbers
>>> x = 65
>>> bin(x) # to binary representation
'0b1000001'
>>> hex(x) # to hexadecimal
'0x41'
>>> chr(x) # to unicode string
'A'
>>> ord("a") # to unicode code
97
# `ord` returns unicode code of a specified character
>>> ord("A")
65
>>> ord("a")
97
>>> ord("0")
48
>>> print(pi_str)
3.1415
>>> ord(pi_str[0])
51
>>> ord(pi_str[-1])
53See MicroPython tutorials, such as MicroPython Programming Basics with ESP32 and ESP8266 for detailed explanation.
Test some other useful commands from Quick reference for the ESP32:
# List built-in libraries
# https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/library/index.html
>>> help("modules")
# A platform identifier
>>> import sys
>>> sys.platform
'esp32'
# Get the current frequency of the CPU and RTC time
>>> import machine
>>> help(machine)
>>> freq = machine.freq()
>>> print(f"Machine clock frequency: {freq/1000000:,} MHz")
>>> machine.RTC().datetime()
# Get Flash size in Bytes
>>> import esp
>>> esp.flash_size()
>>> print(f"Flash size: {esp.flash_size()/1000:,} kB")
# Read the internal temperature (in Fahrenheit)
>>> import esp32
>>> esp32.raw_temperature()
# FYI: temp_c = (temp_f-32) * (5/9)
# temp_f = temp_c * (9/5) + 32Wokwi is a web-based platform for simulating and visualizing electronics projects right in your web browser. You can use it to simulate Arduino, ESP32, STM32, and many other popular boards, parts and sensors in C, MicroPython or Rust language.
ViperIDE is a lightweight MicroPython / CircuitPython IDE for Web and Mobile. It provides a clean interface with essential features like a serial console, code uploading, and direct interaction with the MicroPython REPL. Viper IDE allows easy management of files on the microcontroller, real-time code execution, and debugging.
Thonny is an integrated development environment (IDE) designed primarily for Python programming. It provides a user-friendly and beginner-friendly environment for writing, running, and debugging Python code. It can also be used with MicroPython for programming microcontrollers like the ESP8266, ESP32, Raspberry Pi Pico, etc. Thonny is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Mu is another simple Python editor with built-in support for MicroPython. It has an intuitive user interface with easy-to-access buttons for uploading code and interacting with the board. Mu is designed for beginners and education, with features like a REPL, plotter, and simple code running on devices like the BBC micro and ESP32.
Pymakr allows you to connect, upload, and run MicroPython code on boards like the ESP32. It includes features like auto-completion, real-time terminal access to the board, and a file manager.
- Programming in Python
- Control of GPIO pins
- Object-oriented programming
- Timers
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
- I2C serial communication
- Wi-Fi communication
- Project
Note: The documentation for the modules used in the labs, generated by Sphinx, is available here.
The following hardware and software components are mainly used in the lab.
| Component | Link(s) |
|---|---|
| ESP32 microcontroler | Expressif |
| FireBeetle board | Schematic & manual |
| DHT12 | I2C humidity and temperature sensor: data sheet |
| MPU6050 | I2C gyroscope and accelerometer: data sheet |
| DS3231 | I2C real time clock: data sheet |
| HC-SR04 | ultrasonic sensor: datasheet |
| Joystick PS2 | Analog joystick PS2 |
| Logic analyzer | 24MHz 8-channel logic analyzer: software |
| Osciloscope DSOX3034T | Oscilloscope Keysight Technologies DSOX3034T (350 MHz, 4 analog channels), including 16 logic timing channels DSOXT3MSO and serial protocol triggering and decode options D3000BDLA |
| Thonny IDE | Python IDE for beginners |
| Mu editor | Python editor |
| Visual Studio Code | web page |
| Git | git |
| Version | Result (yyyy-mm-dd) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| macOS Sonoma 14.6.1 | OK (2024-09-03) | MacBook |
| Windows 10 | OK (2023-09-18) | Lab SC 6.61 |
| Linux Mint 20.3 (Una) | OK (2023-05-23) | Laptop |
FYI: How to identify the version of the operating system from the command line.
# Linux: cat /etc/os-release # or neofetch # macOS: sw_vers # Windows: WINVER
Licensed under the MIT License.