Know Your Micro:bit Hardware

Micro:bit Overview

Despite it’s small size, Micro:bit is actually packed with various features, such as buttons, sensors, input / output connections, bluetooth connection, radio transmitter and receiver, light sensor, compass, thermometer, accelerometer, magnetic field sensor, and etc. Aren’t you surprised by this long list? Yes, this list does surprise many students as well as teachers or adults. Well, let’s visit these features in details below.

Front

1. Button A & B – 2 onboard buttons can be used separately or together to activate designed functions
2. LED Display & Light Sensor – 5X5 LED matrix is the students’ favourite output screen for displaying number or text. This matrix can also work as light sensor to detect the surrounding light intensity
3. Input / Output Connection (GPIO) – these pins provide convenience for Micro:bit to connect to external devices or sensors to expand its functionality
4. 3V Power – The connected external devices or sensors can be powered by 3V power supply through this pin
5. GND Pin – this is the ground or earth pin to complete the circuit for external devices or sensors

Back

1. Bluetooth & Radio Antenna – to allow Micro:bit to connect with another device through either Bluetooth or Radio connection
2. Processor & Thermometer – processor is the brain of Micro:bit to carry out your instructions. It also contains a temperature sensor to detect the surrounding temperature
3. Compass & Magnetic Field Sensor – find the magnetic North to allow Micro:bit to be used as a compass. It also measures the strength of magnetic field
4. Accelerometer – measures gesture in 3 dimensions. It acts very much like the gyroscope found in mobile phones
5. Input / Output Connection (GPIO) – these pins provide convenience for Micro:bit to connect to external devices or sensors to expand its functionality
6. Micro USB Socket – acts as the data inlet to accept the program to be downloaded through, and also to power up the Micro:bit
7. LED indicator – this LED indicates that Micro:bit is currently getting power through the USB socket, and if this LED flashes, indicates that program is currently being downloaded through the USB socket
8. Reset button – upon pressed, Micro:bit will be restarted
9. Battery socket – instead of powering your Micro:bit through the USB socket, you can actually power it using a separate battery pack
10. USB interface – this IC handles all USB connection activities

Don’t worry if you find the above details difficult to understand, each component will be explained in detail throughout the course whenever its feature is required.

Now, we are all ready for our journey in programming. Let’s proceed to next section!