Microbit Tutorials

1.1. Introduction

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Wukong board is a high integrated breakout board with multiple functions based on micro:bit, which has a similar size with the micro:bit with buzzer, servo and motor drivers on board.

With a built-in 400mAh Li-ion battery pack and the on-board power controlling system, it supports fast charge with only 20 minutes for full filling that can operate for more than 40 minutes a time.

The base board designs with standard 7×5 square bricks that can adapt perfectly to Lego.

1.2. Characteristics

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• Tiny shape with high integration
• Standard Lego bricks connection
• Most of the IO ports led out in GVS form
• Standalone IIC pots, available for OLED and BME280.
• Integrated buzzer and switch
• Integrated motor-drive circuit
• Integrated servo-drive circuit
• Support 5V sensors
• Built-in 400mAh Li-ion battery pack, on-board power controlling system, four LEDs indicate the power storage
• Support fast charge

1.3. Parameter

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Parameter	Detail	Instruction	Note
Item No.	EF08207	SKU	–
Size	40.00 X 58.12 X 24.53 mm	Including Lego baseboard without micro:bit	Manual measure, size in kind prevail
Weight	41.6g	Including Lego baseboard and the battery	Manual measure, weight in kind prevail
Power Switch	Click to turn on, double to turn off	Four LEDs indicate the power storage, support fast charge	Power supply by the USB connection on board is supported
Battery	400mAh Li-ion battery pack	20 minutes for completing the charge that can operate for more than 40 minutes a time	Anti-explosion
Working Voltage	3.7v~5v	Li-ion battery pack 3.7v，USB 5v	–
Working Temperature	-20℃~60℃	Charge temperature 0℃~40℃	–
Motor Drive	Dual (M1，M2)	Motor drive circuit onboard	–
Servo Drive	Eight ways servo connection (S0~S7)	Servo drive circuit onboard	–
IO Port Lead Out	P0、P1、P2、P8、P12、P13、P14、P15、IIC	Support 3V&5V modules	GVS
Rainbow LED	LED0、LED1、LED2、LED3	Available for Neopixel database	Connect to micro:bit P16 port
Buzzer	Passive buzzer with a switch on board	Available for music database	Connect to micro:bit P0 port
LED	8 LEDs can be programmed on the base side	Light on, twinkle, breathing light	The LED twinkles when power on

1.4. Dimmension

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1.6. Quick Start

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Hardware Connection

• Insert the micro:bit into the adapter(The logo side of the micro:bit stands towards the side for buzzer switch )
• Click to power on.

Software Programming

• MicroSoft makecode online programming: makecode.microbit.org

Add Package

• Click Extensions in the drawer of Advanced to see bricks menu.

• Search wukong in the box and click it to add package.
• Completed

1.7. User Guide

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Ways to power on&charge

• Original power switch, click to power on and the indicator LED lights on.
• Double click to power off and the indicator LED lights off.
• Connect the USB cable to the on-board connection. The normal lighting-on LEDs indicate the state of charge, if the left LEDs lights on in turn, it indicates the charge of the battery.

Breathing LEDs

• There are 8 blue breathing LEDs whose power on/off status and brightness can be controlled on the baseboard.

Motor

• There are two kinds of motor driving connections named M1 and M2 that can connect most motors in the market.

Buzzer

• There is an on-board buzzer that is connected to the P0 port of the micro:bit, it can be programmed by the Music brick and can be powered on/off with the on-board buzzer switch.

Links:https://makecode.microbit.org/_JmM5btU4dHUb

Rainbow LEDs

• There are 4 Rainbow LEDs named LED0、LED1、LED2、LED3 that are connected to P16 port of the micro:bit and they can be programmed by the Neopixel brick.

Links: https://makecode.microbit.org/_61T2w6cqTib0

Servo

• Connect the servos to their driving connections S0~S7, they can be programmed by the servo bricks in Wukong expansions.
• 180° servos can be set from 0°~180°.
• Set 0° as the maximum speed of positive rotation, 180° as the maximum speed of negative rotation and 90° as stop for 360° servos , 0°~90° and 90°~180° are the scape for adjusting the speed.

Links: https://makecode.microbit.org/_6Pw63w49u5qq

5V Power Supply Pins

• There are 3 pairs on-board 5V power supply connections that can drive sensors or servos in 5V , it only requires to connect the connections for 5V modules to 5V power supply, and to connect the signal cables to the signal connections for servos or sensors.

Robotbit is an excellent robotic expansion board specially designed for Microbit by KittenBot team.

Product Feature

It has a powerful ability to drive DC motors, stepper motors, servos, and onboard buzzer and RGB pixels and release all valid IO from microbit, with support the most common electronics module in the market. It comes with 18650 battery holder, integrated lithium battery boost, charging and protection chip. Support for external power input. Mechnically support for KittenBot robotic chassis and LEGO technical slots. The powerful drive capability and built-in battery make DIY more convenient and free. We have received unanimous praise from the school teacher training institutions and individual enthusiasts. It is an excellent choice for your robotic projects based on Micro:bit!

Product Parameters

• Dimensions: 78mm x 57mm x 23mm
• PCB Thickness: 1.5mm
• Small mechnical hole: 3.0mm
• Big mechnical hole: 4.8mm
• Net weight (without packaging): 37.5g

Functional parameters

• 18650 battery voltage: 3.7V
• USB input voltage: 5V
• VM pin max ouput: 1A (with onboard battery)
• External Voltage Input (the green termial): 5V (only supports 5V input, do not connect over 5V, maximum current supports 3A)

Supported software

Available Coding platform: Kittenblock(based on Scratch3.0) or Makecode and python(Mu editor in microbit mode)

MakeCode from Microsoft

KittenBlock（Developed by Kittenbot Team based on Scratch 3.0）

python

If you’re used to code programming and want to get started by microbit python you have two options, directly Mu Editoror kittenblock in micropython editor mode.

The above detailed tutorial can be found from our learn website for self-learning. If you encounter problems during the learning process, you are welcome to get us at our bbs or slack channel.

Makecode Extension

In makecode add extension panel directly search Robotbit. In our offline version of makecode, you may find Robotbit in the default list and other useful extensions.

Hardware interface

1. 5V external power input（with anti-reverse protection）
2. Power switch
3. Power Indicator
4. Battery Indicator
5. Micro USB charing port
6. 4-channel DC motor / 2-channel stepper motor
7. Jumper for buzzer selection
8. 8 channel IO（corresponding to Micro:bit P0-P2、P8、P12-P15）
9. 5V and GND port
10. Buzzer
11. 8 channel servo port
12. I2C interface (expandable I2C module)
13. 18650 battery case
14. Bettery protection recovery push button
15. Micro:bit edge connector
16. 4x RGB pixel

1. Servo driver (PCA9685)
2. 2xDc/Stepper driver (DRV8833)
3. KittenBot robot chassis mounting hole
4. Standard LEGO hole

Turn on the 18650 battery switch

Open the makecode editor (http://makecode.microbit.org) and press add package.

Search robotbit

Drag some of the robotbit blocks out to workspace, remember to connect the corresponding motor servos, etc.

Before downloading, remember to connect to Microbit’s with a micro usb cable and click the download button.

After click download button, a file save box will prompt, please choose to save it to the Microbit removable disk.

the final effect of the code block in the diagram above

F&Q

The battery is plugged in, there is no response after turn on switch?

Check if the battery activation button has been pressed? Check if the battery is positive or negative? Check if the battery has power?

What is the battery activation button used for?

In the case of overcurrent, or short circuit, or switch battery cell, the battery protection chip will protect the the circuit. Click the battery activation button to resume normal working mode.

Pluged in usb cable and I can’t find Microbit

The usb on the robotbit can only be used for charging. It can’t be used to download the program. It is plugged into the usb port of the robotbit. The computer will not respond.

Will it smoke if I insert battery inverse？

No, the robotbit design is anti-reverse protect in consideration of general miss operations. Inversely plug in will just not output power.

Will Microbit damage if plug in face back?

No, it will just refuse to work.

P0 pin control does not respond? Is it broken?

You need to unplug the buzzer selection jumper to use P0 as common IO.

Where is the rest of Microbit’s IOs？

Nearly 20 programmable IO ports on the Microbit, but many have been multiplexed with the dot matrix buttons on the board. Considering the inconvenience caused by multiplexing, beginners are likely to confuse on these. We have bridge 8 IO with no conflict to matrix or buttons to Robotbit, it should be enough for most diy projects. If you need all IO from microbit please choose IOBit from kittenbot team.

Can the servo interface act as common IO?

No, the servo s1-s8 is extended with a special servo drive chip and can only be used for servo drive.

What is the use of the VM on the motor interface?

The power source for 4-phase 5-wire stepper motor like 28BYJ. Usually, the VM is not used for the DC motor, and the DC motor only needs to connect A+A- or B+B-.

Can the board be placed on a metal surface or in a humid environment?

No, it will be short-circuited, pay attention to insulation

What is the voltage input for the green external power supply? What will happens with a higher voltage input?

Can only be connected to 5V, above 5V will damage the board, the current is recommended 2~3A, which means that the maximum current supported by the board is 3A

I did follow the tutorial, not results

If the test results are not corresponding, first check your wiring and procedures, some small place in general is missing, please double check.