[PROJECT] BBC Micro:bit – LED Panel Effects Controller – version 1 by Cabe

I activated one effect in this section of the LED panel. (via ME)

I will admit, I could not expand the memory much with the Micro:bit for the last project. So, before I explore memory expansion, I thought I would see what else I could do with the 8x8 LED grid panel.

Although the LED panel is simply a reconfiguration of an addressable LED strip, but I wanted it to act like a screen. So, when the keypad is pressed, I wanted effects to correlate with the buttons. So, in this version I wanted to do splash effects at those points.

The software works as follows:

- Power it up.

- Immediately press buttons to light up the LED panel in relation to the keypad.

First, let’s gather all the necessary components you’ll need to build this project.

1x BBC Micro:bit

1x Kitronik Inventor’s Kit

1x Addressable LED panel

1x 16 button matrix keypad

Video demonstration of the project:

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[PROJECT] BBC Micro:bit – LED Panel Effects Controller – version 1 by Cabe

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STEP 1

Load the code onto the Micro:bit.

I am providing the hex file you need to drag and drop onto the Micro:bit, and the python code as two separate files. For the below process, just use the hex file.

Plug the MicroUSB cable into the Micro:bit, and plug the other end of the cable to a PC or MAC.

At this point, you are going to copy over the code to the Micro:bit. I am providing the program (code) in this post that needs to be copied over. When the Micro:bit plugs into a computer, it shows up as a USB flash drive. All you have to do is copy the file over to the Micro:bit, like it’s a USB Flash Drive, and the Micro:bit will reset, and the program is active.

You can remove the Micro:bit from the computer at this point. The program will start running, and without the rest of the circuit, it will not function.

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A little bit about the code:

STEP 2

The schematic is fairly straight forward. It’s also the same as the last project. Wire it up like the drawing.

STEP 3

Setup

The software works as follows:

- Power it up.

- Immediately press buttons to light up the LED panel in relation to the keypad.

Conclusion:

Speed of the Micro:bit is a huge drawback to this project. It can display the effects, but it’s very choppy. I will have to explore how to make this happen a bit faster. Easiest thing I could do is offload the LED control to an Arduino. Then I could swap in Micro:bit boards like cartridges for different effects. Maybe…