The Portable Pico Pal Project Page!
This project page will be updated through the current Kickstarter campaign. Don't be too sad that there's not much here right now. There will be lots of sample code available soon!
Every Pico Pal comes with a Raspberry Pico with headers soldered on. With that said, you will need to install MicroPython onto your Pico. It is easy to do, and this video gives you complete instructions. Don't worry. It takes less than 5 minutes. Once you've done this, we can get to programming!
Out of the box!:
This is a video of the complete audio library that will be installed on each Portable Pico Pal.
Here is the complete library/lookup table:
| library.xlsx |
Code Samples:
Blink1: In this project, we'll set up and blink both LEDs one after another 100 times. Please see project video#1 - LEDs and Swtiches
| blink.txt |
Blink2: This project makes a simple change to Blink1 and makes it so that the LEDs blink forever in a never-ending loop. Please see project video#1.
| blink2.txt |
Blink3 with Buttons: In this project, we add buttons. When you press SW1, the LEDs blink. We're taking baby steps here. Please see project video#1.
| blink3_with_buttons.txt |
DIP Switches and Functions: In this project, we play with the 'print' command, add the DIP switches, and use a function to read the DIP switch states. Please see project video#2.
| dip_switches_and_functions.txt |
Project#5 - Noise Detector: In this project, we introduce the microphone and buzzer to make a simple (but fun) noise detector. Please refer to the project#5 video below.
| project_5_the_buzzer_and_the_microphone.txt |
Project#6 - Light Meter: In this project, we'll sample the light sensor via ADC, convert the returned ADC hex value into a voltage representation, then decode that voltage into light or dark. Please refer to the project#6 video below.
| project_6_light_meter.txt |
Project#7 - Getting Started with Audio: The Pico Pal has a 254 word library. In this project we will look at how to select a sound bite, and how to play a soundbite. Please refer to the project#7 video below.
| project_7_adding_audio.txt |
Project#8 - Let's Measure our Heart Rate!: Make sure that you connect the heart rate sensor to the Pico Pal BEFORE you plug in power. If you do so while power is applied, it will case a reset, and you may corrupt your current script. In this project we'll learn how to time a bunch of heart rate samples, then average them together to give you an averaged BPM (Beats per average). Please see the project#8 video below!
| project8_-_lets_measure_our_heart_rate.txt |
Project#9 - The Real Time Clock: In this code, we'll talk about using the I2C communications protocol to read the time and date from the RTC chip (DS3231), and write a new time to it. Once you add in a coin battery, you can write the current time to the RTC, and it will remember the time after power off. Coin batteries usually last a year, and up to several years in these modules. When the time comes when your battery dies, install new one, and update the time! Please see the project#9 video below!
| project9_-_the_rtc.txt |
Project#10 - Diagnostic Testing!: In this code, everything comes together. We've now experimented with every electronic block associated with the Pico Pal. This project will see a number of functions executed sequentially that tests each block. With all of this out of the way, please make sure that you've watched the battery backup video and the heart rate sensor video. They are both important. Happy inventing! Please see the projext#10 video below!
| project_10_-_diagnostic_testing.txt |
Project Videos:
Project Video#1 (Blink 1/2/3 programs): Setting up the LEDs and Buttons
Project Video#2 (DIP Switches and Functions program): DIP Switches and Functions
Project#5 - Let's make a Noise Detector
Project#6 - Let's make a Light Meter!
Project#7 - Let's add Audio to our Projects!
Project#8 - Let's Measure our Heart Rate!
Project#9 - The Real Time Clock (RTC - DS3231)
Project#10 - Running Diagnostics