What is a 'micro:bit'?
The BBC micro:bit is a 'bare-board micro controller' that was designed as a tool for Key Stage 3 children to learn about and apply coding skills to physical computing.
The back of the micro:bit displays its components, which include the Central Processing Unit (CPU), accelerometer and compass, as well as a port to connect the battery pack and the micro USB to connect to the computer. Additionally there are 20 smaller input/output pins that allow external sensors to be attached to the device.
The back of the micro:bit displays its components, which include the Central Processing Unit (CPU), accelerometer and compass, as well as a port to connect the battery pack and the micro USB to connect to the computer. Additionally there are 20 smaller input/output pins that allow external sensors to be attached to the device.
A - Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is often referred to as the processor and commonly thought of as the brains of a computer. CPUs store and execute sequences of programmed instructions. On the micro:bit, the CPU will store input/output instructions programmed into the device.
One simple example would be programming the LED lights (visible on the front of the micro:bit) to flash when button A is pushed, and off when button B is pushed. These instructions will be downloaded to the BBC micro:bit's CPU, which will then receive the input of the button being pressed, and carry out the programmed output. |
B - Compass
The compass in the BBC micro:bit (below) functions like any other compass, by detecting the Earth's magnetic field. In practice, this allows data to be collected to determine the direction in which the BBC micro:bit is moving or which direction it is facing in.
C - Accelerometer
An accelerometer is used to detect changes in velocity, or movement in a space. Accelerometers are used in a large number of device, one example being laptops. If a laptop fitted with an accelerometer were to be dropped, the accelerometer would detect that the laptop was free falling and shut down the hard drive, thus preventing extensive hard drive damage.
The accelerometer on the BBC micro:bit provides the capability of giving instructions related to the movement of the micro:bit itself, such as tilting, shaking and dropping. The accelerometer can be used along with the compass, allowing both the speed and direction of movement to be monitored and providing opportunities to use the BBC micro:bit as a more versatile controller. |
E, F, G - Pins
The BBC micro:bit has external pins, along the bottom of the device on the edge connector. This is made up of 5 large holes, which can be used by attaching 4mm screws, crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs (or simply by wrapping exposed wire through the hole.) There are also 20 small pins that can be 'used when the micro:bit is plugged into an edge connector'.
Large Pins
E - Pins 0, 1 and 2: These are versatile pins that can be used for both input and output devices, as seen here.
F - Pin 3V:
Large Pins
E - Pins 0, 1 and 2: These are versatile pins that can be used for both input and output devices, as seen here.
F - Pin 3V:
- Power output - If the micro:bit is powered by USB or the battery pack, this can be used as a power output, to power other devices.
- Power input - If it is not powered, this port can be used to power the BBC micro:bit
- This is the grounding pin which is used to ground the device and complete the circuit when the 3V pin is being used.
- This pin should never be connected to the 3V port as this will short the circuit.
- If you hold the GND pin, you can program the micro:bit to respond when 0, 1 or 2 pins are touched with the other hand, therefore making them function like the A and B buttons.
H - Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)The BBC micro:bit has 25 light emitting diodes (LEDs) that can be used as an output. The device already has a programmed bank of letters, numbers and symbols it can display, simplifying the process of using common symbols whilst still offering the flexibility of the lights being individually programmable.
|