Getting Started with Pi Supply micro:bit Tinker Kit

The Pi Supply micro:bit Tinker Kit is an easy to use prototyping kit for the micro:bit that uses a simple plug n play system. The kit allows you to focus more on the programming techniques without the need to build complex circuitry with each module ready to go. The Kit comes with a wide range of modules with various functions and sensors allowing you to create a number of projects. The main board that is connected to the micro:bit is called and Octopus:bit due to its many breakout ports. The Kit also comes supplied with a comprehensive, easy to follow starter guide with 5 projects included.

Tinker Kit Project Examples

This Tinker Kit comes with 23, easy to follow examples, that show you how to build and program electronic circuits with the micro:bit board. Each example is divided into two parts; the first part building the circuit with a easy to follow diagram on how to connect your modules to the Octopus:bit, the second is the programming code with step-by-step instructions.

Where to buy

You can purchase this kit from one of our many distributers or you can purchase directly from our Pi Supply Store:

Whats in the Box?

  • AA Battery Box holder
  • Octopus:bit breakout board
  • Micro USB cable
  • OLED display module
  • Mini Servo motor
  • Octopus PIR sensor module
  • Octopus Soil Moisture sensor module
  • Octopus ADKey board module
  • Octopus Crash sensor module
  • Octopus Passive buzzer module
  • Octopus Red LED module
  • Octopus Green LED module
  • Octopus Blue LED module
  • Octopus Analog rotation module
  • Octopus breakout cables

Octopus:bit

Octopus:bit is a kind of breakout boards for micro:bit. It can lead out GPIO port, serial port, IIC port, and SPI port on the micro:bit board. The biggest feature of Octopus:bit is that it can switch logic level for some GPIO ports, which makes micro:bit available to be adapted to 5V sensors.

Features

  • Input voltage: 3.3V（powered by the edge connector of micro:bit）
  • Extend all of GPIO ports (P0~P16, P19~P20)
  • Beneath each I/O port, there are pins for VCC and GND. These pins are itentified by different colors, which enable you to connect your extension module easily. The spread of pins is fully compatible with Octopus series’ products.
  • With a voltage boosting module, you can shift the working voltage of P8, P9, P11~P16 between 3.3V and 5V through the voltage switch.
  • Breakout serial port, I2C port and SPI port, among which I2C can connect 3 channels of I2C devices and SPI can connect 2 channels of SPI devices.
  • Available for direct serial port communication between two breakout boards.

Pinout Diagram

Standard GVS Port

Among the standard GVS ports, the working voltage of the yellow part（P0~P7，P10）is 3.3V, while the working voltage of the blue part（P8, P9, P11~P16）can be shifted between 3.3V and 5V through a voltage switch. Beneath each I/O port, there are pins for VCC and GND. These pins are differentiated by different colors, which enable you to connect your extension module easily. The spread of pins is fully compatible with Octopus series’ products.

Voltage Switch

Sliding this switch in the above image, we can change the voltage of the blue IO ports（P8, P9, P11~P16）between 3.3V and 5V.

You can see its working range in the below:

Serial Port

The working voltage of serial port is available to be shifted between 3.3V and 5V through the voltage switch. Connect TX to P8，RX to P12. The left pins are bidirectional serial port, which can run both input and output. The right female header is a one-way output serial port.

Note : To use this port, we have to initialize it according to the program in the below:

Dimensions

Connecting your micro:bit to the Octopus:bit

Connecting your micro:bit board to the Octopus:bit board could not be any easier. Simply take your micro:bit and carefully slide it into the black connector with the matrix display on the micro:bit facing upwards. Make sure that it has been sliced in all the way to make good contact with the pins.

Powering your micro:bit

In the Starter Kit there are two ways in which you can power your micro:bit:

USB – The first is using the provided micro USB cable which you can connect to your computer or laptop USB port and then the micro USB port on the micro:bit which will provide power and also allow you to communicate with the board. Simply remove the micro:bit from the breadboard adaptor and insert the USB cable and then insert back into the breadboard adaptor.

Battery – In the Starter Kit there is also a battery pack, which you can connect to the micro:bit using the JST connector. This will allow you to make your projects portable or if you computer/laptop is further away than the USB cable can reach. You can still program the micro:bit using Bluetooth connection. Simply insert 2x AA batteries into the battery pack and then connect it to the micro:bit battery connector.

micro:bit Tinker Kit Projects

Below are the links to all 23 projects of the micro:bit Tinker Kit, which will take users through a journey of learning the basic principles of electronics and programming using the micro:bit with all the featured components in the Tinker Kit. Five of these projects are also featured in the Tinker Kit Guide, which comes supplied with the Tinker Kit.

  • Project 01 – Music Machine
  • Project 02 – Smart Light
  • Project 03 – Electro-Theremin
  • Project 04 – Simple Alarm Bot
  • Project 05 – Plant Monitoring Device
  • Project 06 – Intruder Detection
  • Project 07 – Fish Feeder
  • Project 08 – Motion Detector
  • Project 09 – Lie Detector
  • Project 10 – Paddle Ball Super Smashem
  • Project 11 – Avoid Asteroids
  • Project 12 – Remote Control Everything
  • Project 13 – micro:bit Car
  • Project 14 – Flipping Pancakes
  • Project 15 – Maze Runner
  • Project 16 – Quick Maths
  • Project 17 – Pitch Perfect
  • Project 18 – Finger Dexterity
  • Project 19 – Electric Spirit Level
  • Project 20 – Space Shooter
  • Project 21 – Flappy Bird
  • Project 22 – Wire Transmission
  • Project 23 – Snake Game
First published at 3:32pm on July 8, 2019
Last updated at 3:32pm on July 8, 2019