show-and-tell

[molten jewel]

is that the 1.3" screen?

[exotic sierra]

Yup

[reef flax]

Hi all, just wanted to share my case I created for the Pimoroni Hyper Pixel. 🙂 Prints in one go no supports needed. https://www.tinkercad.com/things/7ZqPsQFhYTl-hyperpixelcase

[exotic sierra]

working on cleaning up some old designs. This is the RPGA Feather, a Feather with an RP2040 and an Lattice iCE40 FPGA.

The cleanup comes as I'm working to get designs from EAGLE to KiCAD. So far, so good.

[molten jewel]

oooh purty

[quartz needle]

Current project getting close! Now to do the lights/sounds/switches

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/241394663062372354/1220509188749262989/IMG20240321160621.jpg?ex=660f32c2&is=65fcbdc2&hm=8f26a0e254286e415464b26f7b2f940216368f60bcd7426f2d52a980aec15c4b&

[north mural]

That looks amazing.

[quartz needle]

thanks!

Still gotta get lights an sounds in, but it's looking good 🙂

[timber peak]

Meet the Picuno (Pico+Uno) powered by the RP2040 with level shifting to 5V on select GPIO for almost complete backwards compatibility with the Arduino UNO. Also similar to the metro. Just thal all GPIO are mappaed out to headers and level shifting to 5V from 3.3 to vice versa has been added. Fully open-source as well. Specs: atrivatech.com/picuno and File Repo: github.com/atulravi/picuno

[quartz needle]

Progress! Now to figure out switches in Circut Python

[weary night]

Hi everyone, I wanted to share with you a project that I have been working on for about a year now. I had created several projects based on the former PyCOM GPy. The PyCom company unfortunately made these modules EOL way to early and a few months later they bankrupted. This left me with some projects for which I had no good modules. I failed to find a good alternative and took on the challenge to create a pin compatible successor to the GPy. The work is now finished and I created Walter, a fully open source cellular IoT module with LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS, WiFi and BLE. In contrast to PyCOM all software is open source and available on github. At the time of writing the laboratory is finishing the CE, UKCA, FCC, IC and RCM certifications. I have tested Walter all over the world with the help of beta testers (https://walterdemo.quickspot.io/) and it is stable as a rock. If you are interested I would love for you to have a look at my project on Crowd Supply https://www.crowdsupply.com/dptechnics/walter

[sonic fractal]

I made a small wifi weather station with my DX32 and a BME280 (by mashing code the frankenstein way) it also has an oled that displays the IP adress, temperature and humidity

It uses the adafruit sensor libraries, u8g2 and WiFiManager (goated library)

[sonic fractal]

i put it on the freezer

pretty brutal endurance test

i also added a button to wake up the oled from sleep, this saves power

[willow loom]

And this is why you always need more flux:

I'm not fixing that.

[north mural]

is that your own board or something you purchased? it's fixable with flux.

[dark cairn]

ch340dip

no microscope, just tweezers

and a lot of patience

[low pulsar]

@dark cairn nice! I've never dared to try it, but just trying to learn from your attempt - a) is that magnet wire, or something else? b) did you start with soldering on the legs on the chip first, or on the protoboard? c) Guessing you may have tried it both ways - is this easier/simpler than putting the chip upside down (dead-bug style?)

[dark cairn]

a) It's just plain chopper wire strands from a old pc psu
b) I first soldered the pins to the protoboard, then the wires to the chip and finally the wires to the pins.
It's was first time doing it, so idk if it was the best way. It took about 40 minutes.
c) I totally forgot that strategy existed lol

[low pulsar]

Very nice 🙂 thx for sharing!

[north mural]

very intricate chopper work. nicely done.

https://tenor.com/view/seal-team-helicopter-bravo-insertion-insert-gif-12808676689545423481

[vernal vigil]

This afternoon's project

[bitter dome]

i was kinda bored so.. here's a donut.

song: addicti.mod (https://modarchive.org/module.php?32912)

[fair creek]

Here's the code if anyone is interested.

https://github.com/oldmanbluntz/PulseSync-Automated-Lap-Monitoring-System

What I've been working on the last while.

Just a slot car lap counter. It's crude, and whallops the network with HTTP GET/POST to keep updated (I'm working on switching it to websockets), but it all works where it's at right now, except updating the start lights and beeps on the webpage.

[north mural]

Wow that is awesome! 👏

I added display rotation for the CharliePlex matrix to Circuit Python. This should make chaining them in any orientation easier.

[fair creek]

hey, that'll be a handy addition. I've been getting back into the addressable LED's again, projects for my kid and myself. I have a couple matrices in a shopping cart waiting for work to start again.

[fair creek]

I have plans to convert the slot car track to a digital system. 6 or 8 cars on the 2 lanes with lane change pieces and pit stops. Variable voltage inputs for different levels of skill, or to use cars from various ecosystems as they can use different voltages (carerra go 1/43 runs 14 volt and Artin 1/43 runs at 9 volts, and one other runs at 7.4 volts. Small esp32 based microcontrollers in the cars to run a motor driver and the system to keep track of which lane the individual cars are in for lane changes (this will use IR transmitter LEDs in the cars and receivers in spots in the track to read the hex coming from the cars), SD card support to add a driver database and store historical lap times/best times. Relays to shut down power to the rails for timers, the whole 9.

[exotic sierra]

I do love me some assembly

IcyBlue FPGA Feather V2!

[vernal vigil]

Here it is in action, in my Eurorack system

https://github.com/Len42/Synth/tree/main/misc/Attenuator#readme

[molten jewel]

i made a thing

[exotic sierra]

FPGA ✨ magic 🪄 ✨

[tepid socket]

Raspberry Pi Pico based video game console. Here are all the details and the only game I have programmed for the system so far that can be tested in browsers:
https://kyuchumimo.itch.io/follow-the-leader

I have another game that is based on the same hardware, but I haven't programmed it for the system yet. It can be played in browsers too:
https://kyuchumimo.itch.io/reversi

[molten jewel]

ha nice

now stuff it all inside the controller 😛

[dark cairn]

Now did it to an esp32

It's got ancient code on it..

At this point I could make a devboard without a pcb

That sounds fun

Ikea style devboard: It comes in 20 pieces.

[bitter dome]

"just esp32, nothing else" :D

[pallid saffron]

"why do i need wood dowels for my electronics project?" 😀

[severe pine]

I'm still learning hot air soldering so it's a little janky, and the paste application was a like uneven, but this only took reworking a single LED to get working!

Full overview of the board itself pre-LEDs, still have an SSD1306 OLED to install once that arrives

[sonic fractal]

https://tenor.com/view/spider-man-tom-holland-yoink-gif-11346283

[solemn vector]

Nice! What are these for?

[clever stone]

@molten jewel - have you shared a video or writeup on how you created the silicone buttons? I have never attempted molding buttons but you're results look like something I would like to try 👍🏼

[north mural]

You can print your own with TPU filament but you have to remember to leave space for the carbon pills.

[finite valve]

Working on support for the Sunton 7" ESP32S3 device. So far the display, capacitive touch, sd slot and external IO are functioning.. There's an on board i2s amp that I'm still trying to figure out to make sure I have the pins correct and whatnot.

[molten jewel]

those are from an nes controller.

😛

but they would be pretty easy to make

[clever stone]

@molten jewel - thanks. Between the earlier photo where the button pads were translucent and the the above photo of a CNC'd mold, I was hoping you have a good process for molding soft buttons.

[molten jewel]

thats not a mold, thats the nes controller case being cncd

now i gotta do the other side 🙂

[dark cairn]

Finally merging all the "dip modules" I assembled the monster

It works fully

It's not just usb power, but also serial

[finite valve]

CircuitPython on an ESP32S3. Next step is to make the computer play against you..

[bitter dome]

how easy is it to do hot air soldering and how many times you failed at it?

i've only done through hole soldering, but never done smd

[severe pine]

It's easier than I thought it would be! Although, I do most of my SMD stuff by hand

I wasn't particularly careful or precise with the temperature when soldering those LEDs, but they came out just fine, and I only had to rework one of them one time for them to all come to life

but for anything that isn't tightly packed or only has leads on the bottom, pretty much anything 0402 or larger, I just do it by hand and it's really surprisingly forgiving. A bit of flux and patience and it's totally achievable, grab a cheap SMD practice kit and you'll get the hang of it in no time

[bitter dome]

i thought it would be that hard :\

wanting to get into it because i wanted to make my own rp2040 or esp32 board

[severe pine]

JLCPCB offers pretty affordable assembly services, which I used for the more complicated back side of mine - if you're just starting out it's a great option :)

[molten jewel]

ii was thinking of that for rev 2 of my pcb as i want to integrate the charger onto it. is it still viable when you only want 15?

[severe pine]

I think it's worthwhile if you want to save yourself the manual assembly time, depending on how complicated it is and how many components there are

in some past projects I even left out some larger/easier components that I already owned to solder in myself to save on assembly costs more

[molten jewel]

it saves me buying a charger board, then wiring it to the pcb as well. and it allows more battery room

so if it only adds a few dollars each plus components, it will be win all around

[north mural]

@bitter dome It's good to know how to do hot air rework for repairs. I wouldn't recommend hot air rework for assembling entire boards especially for boards that have a lot of densely packed 0402 or smaller components. Oven or hotplate reflow on the other hand makes much more sense for home DIY assembly. Once you know the limitations of rework and reflow you're far more likely to want an assembly service for projects that exceed your capability. You won't know what that is until you actually do rework and reflow. 😉 You'll know what you can do manually and what actually needs an assembly service. It's a good learning experience.

[finite valve]

Got the AI working in my tic tac toe game.. if i set players to 0 it plays itself forever 😄

[bitter dome]

faaaast :)

[north mural]

https://tenor.com/view/wargames-nuclear-computer-tic-tac-toe-wopr-gif-13755444

Sean has created Joshua... watch out.

[pallid saffron]

"would you like to play a game..."

[ancient bear]

Adding the adafruit wireless leds to my 3d printed prosthetic eye, next is something around glasses maybe to relay on demand the power https://youtube.com/shorts/KftwzVSL3J8

[molten jewel]

terminator!

[ancient bear]

I need to try red!

[clever stone]

@bitter dome - RE: hand assembly of PCBs with SMD components

If you’re hands don’t shake (much) there is a pretty easy and affordable process for doing your own SMD assembly.

When you order your PCBs, order the small unframed stencil. It’s about $7 to $10.
Use a hotplate for reflow. The hotplate method means you can easily “nudge” a component if it’s not quite right. I like the very cheap (2 for $20) soldering rework hot plates from Amazon.
The hotplate also makes it easy to rework, if you have a problem.
FYI: I recommend using leaded solder paste vs lead-free. The latter it harder to get right and requires more heat to work.

[molten jewel]

neopixel. then you can have it change around. green normal, red when you want the kids to clean their rooms

[north mural]

My own personal Adafruit/CircuitPython Pull Request display. Shows the last 10 PR's so I can easily see what's new in PR Land. Pulls last 10 PR's into a buffer, disconnects from the API, loops through the index infinitely until it's time to get an update (every 15 minutes). https://github.com/DJDevon3/My_Circuit_Python_Projects/tree/main/Boards/espressif/Unexpected Maker Feather S3/4.0 ST7796S/CircuitPython Latest PR Display

[ancient bear]

Hmmm sadly I don't see neopixel https://www.adafruit.com/category/537 😦

[molten jewel]

oooh you are using inductive power

hm

i thought maybe you had a battery stuffed inside (how much room is inside an eyeball/ haha

[ancient bear]

It's actually rather small space 😦

The neopixel is super small

[molten jewel]

neopizel is tiny. but how to power and control it is another topic

get a custom blown glass hollow eye? 😛

[ancient bear]

I'm 3D printing the eye itself, so I can make more space but it's still very limited

If there wasn't a brain behind I could make more space

[molten jewel]

yeah i looked it up. i had assumed they were a round ball

3d printed? is pla safe in your head? haha

i guess its ok for a short time

[ancient bear]

It's biocompatible resin used for printing prosthetic, mouth pieces, surgical guides

[molten jewel]

oh neat

[ancient bear]

Yeah I should be super clear this is all medical grade equipment except for the little led, it's definitely not safe to use normal 3d printer material, I'm actually waiting for tests on iso10993 on this project before I use it for more than 5 seconds and without doctor supervision

[brave thistle]

Reliable MAGTAG temperature & humidity --> to --> Google Sheets script (uses Pushingbox.com as a "man-in-the-middle"). See my Gist: https://gist.github.com/PaulskPt/86551032942e760910b0fb7fa6e2a1bb

[dire axle]

Made a thing with Python and Circuit Python that’s syncs an LED strip with what’s happening on screen

[lapis jasper]

Super cool! How'd you do it?

[north mural]

How did you do that with Circuit Python? Very cool.

Made some more progress on the Github API example for Circuit Python Closed PR's. A little nicer to look at. The color is all washed out but you get the idea. Thanks to @cunning lava and @glad roost for their help sorting out the different image methods. Avatars end in v=4 there is no file extension. They can be a bmp, gif, jpg, or png. Had to use response header content-type to figure out the image type, then use the appropriate method to load them on a display. PNG doesn't quite work fully so displaying Octocat for any PNG's instead. https://github.com/DJDevon3/My_Circuit_Python_Projects/tree/main/Boards/espressif/Unexpected Maker Feather S3/3.5 ST7796S TFT/CircuitPython Latest PR Display

It'll take a lot more work to fold in open issues, merged issues, and draft PR's. It's a good start.

[finite valve]

Aayyy I made it in the video.

[dire axle]

Thanks 🙂 There’s a Python script running that captures screenshots using PIL, and before it gets the colours, it checks whether there are vertical and horizontal black bars (for non 16:9 content). The corrected coordinates are then fed into a function which gets the colour for each neopixel. This is then sent to the Adafruit Qt Py RP2040 using serial

[dire axle]

The Circuit Python part is just seeing whether there’s any data being sent to it through serial and displaying the colours, not much processing happening

[rough dew]

https://github.com/timbermonson/arduino_cotwo/

Made a lil github page for my CO2-reader-with-VFD-display project!

It's just got the code, CAD, and a few showoff photos :>

[lapis jasper]

Looks great!

[obtuse hemlock]

Given the hours spent here getting help ont it, I might as well show off my sprig media player: (code available here: https://github.com/TheOtherTridentGuy/SprigMP)

[lost remnant]

Setup esphome for my funhouse. Found someone's configuration on GitHub, reworked the display, and removed some logic as they were tracking energy use. It's neat that you can configure the backlight individually as well so could have it turn off past a certain time and only enable it on motion for a short period, etc. all from home assistant automation. The dotstars are also configurable and can play effects like rainbows from the UI.

My config: https://gist.github.com/Timo614/81f525892629e0285237a739a1eb66ef (switching to EDT, using the graphs for the display)

[north mural]

two awesome projects back to back 🙌

[versed lava]

Ordered one of the vivid units to test as an interface and some DSP processing for a synth i'm working on. Managed to get Godot built and running on it. Learned a bit - had to use aptitude to install the required libraries. I had to compile the fallback text server. There isn't any vulcan support for the 3399 so it has to be run in compatibility mode.

[sand grotto]

Yeah that's beautiful, the wiring and layout is very nicely done, and the VFD just sings in the photo.

[north valve]

Adafruit CircuitPython 9.0.3 on 2024-04-04; Sparkfun Thing Plus MGM240P with MGM240PB32VNA
I was curious about Matter connected devices, came back around to CircuitPython the hard way. I'd be interested in everyone's experiences and thoughts.
https://www.somenice.com/2024/04/matter-as-a-smart-home-standard/

[north mural]

That's too bad, not every project works out. 😦 Thank you for sharing your experience. I'd hoped things would be more streamlined than that but your experience is about what I expected it to be like. Can an ESP32 run Bluetooth Classic? Yes but only if you use their SDK. I imagine most matter implementations will be the same requiring individual SDK's. There isn't support in Circuit Python yet. I think we're too used to Circuit Python being a platform that integrates all the SDK's into 1 platform. That's one of its greatest features, going outside of that you can expect to be required to use all the individual SDK's so that they suck you into their ecosystem because learning every vendor SDK takes a lot of effort.

[lapis jasper]

Matter is on our radar. What were you hoping to achieve with it?

[exotic sierra]

I’ve been working on the RPiano code and it’s really coming along!

Mind the bodge in the I2S amp, trying out a gain pin config for more gain

[north valve]

Thanks for the reply Scott. I was hoping to create something I could control with Google Home, voice and app, but also just learn more about Matter.
It seems more of a professional certification as much as a open standard and limited to specific tasks. Good for consumers and vendors but CircuitPython offers everything for DIY.
I learned lots in the process and may eventually get the thread compatible hub and devices.

[pallid saffron]

if you're looking for an alternative for home automation, Home Assistant is an open-source and very DIY approachable (MQTT is a great protocol for devices here) and/or ESPHome -- basically all you need is some MCU (or a raspberry pi) that has Wifi and you're already 2/3 the way there

[finite valve]

Home assistant is great. Ties a ton of vendors together as well as integrating esp based custom sensor devices.

[pallid saffron]

i'm controlling my lego/servo robot arm with it 😈

[sharp comet]

New circup feature in the works for loading library examples. Loading files and tab completion working are successfully 🎉 This snippet illustrates the action:

circup example displ[TAB] -sh [TAB][TAB to show possibilities] cir [TAB]

[north mural]

Watching you get tab completion working was very satisfying.

[solemn vector]

Finished my arcade controller. Raspberry Pi Pico with CircuitPython inside. No 3D printing, using a perma-board. Designed to play PICO-8 games.

[north mural]

Looks super clean. Nice enclosure. Pictures of the guts? I'd be interested in seeing what's inside.

[solemn vector]

Thanks! It is in fact pretty simple:

The details of the design are here (still writing a few sections): https://github.com/isacben/picocade

[clever stone]

When created hundreds of objects with displayio on CircuitPython, using vectorio is SOOO much more memory efficient. Using the Adafruit_Display_Shapes library crashed before 64 trapezoids. This rendering has 288 trapezoids and 565 circles appended to the group ...

(thanks out to @terse totem; it was their YT video that came up on my search and it was easy to work from)

[north mural]

Did the group remove do what you needed?

[alpine token]

Made this with CircuitPython and the Circuit Playground Express. Nice having sensors/LEDs built-in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZI6rT8ne8

[kind burrow]

What in the world is going on here?? With MAJOR thanks to the FoamyGuy Tim C and JEpler Learn guide.
I totally hacked and plagarized their "CP Text Editor" code, especially dang.py - I'm not using the other classes.

Setup: Feather RP2040 USB Host, RFM69 FeatherWing, SH1107 OLED on a tripler.

Pico has an RFM69 breakout on a header strip I soldered onto the Pico Proto board, routing the required wires to the Pico's SPI/etc pins. Also the DVI Picowbell to 7" HDMI monitor. I had this all done and in use before Tim published the Learn guide.

I eventually figured out how to capture the keypresses, display them on the SH1107 OLED, and then with a specific escape key, I send the built-up string thru the RFM69 FeatherWing to the Pico's breakout, then show it on the HDMI. I'd rather not show the hacked code now, only because it's still a mess and "on the list" to tidy up ha ha.

I added the SH1107 display to main code, and then the RFM69 initialize in the dang.py file.

There's a 2nd part to this madness... this project took me like 2 months to get right. I'm reading certain keywords passed to the Pico, then doing supervisor.set_next_code_file and reload() to execute other code files. Those code files also have their own RFM69 polling, where I look for a "reset" string, and then switch back to the "main menu" - this isn't shown in the pics. Of course, keep in mind that the Pico/DVI uses a LOT of memory, so the other called programs are pretty basic - mostly easy cute graphic stuff.
https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-text-editor-on-the-go/overview

[lucid bloom]

A couple weeks ago I decided to build my own gourmet mushroom growing box. All of the mounting hardware/adapters were designed/printed by me to fit 1 inch holes. It works through esphome and home assistant with a picow and pi zero w/pi cam to take pictures. It has 2x 16 neopixel rights, a smart plug, sht31, IoT Power Relay, 2x usb fans, reptile fogger and ptfe filters. The camera provides an rtsp stream and I have a couple programs/scripts so that an image is saved every 5 minutes/make gifs. The light cycle is 7am to 7pm, I get a gif notification at 10am,1pm,4pm and 7pm sent to my phone to view the days progress. Today is day 3 and it is beginning to show signs of life, I am growing Blue Oyster Mushrooms which are supposed to be easy to take care of. If this works well I am going to try something that is harder to grow like Pioppinos or Namekos as well as make build guide.

[north mural]

That is awesome. I want to do something like that someday. Are you going to write up a playground note on it? I would love to read a more in depth tutorial on your project!

[north mural]

Very cool! What are you using for the monitoring GUI it looks great! Please update when you have some mushrooms growing too.

[lucid bloom]

It's home assistant, I took quite a bit of time making that dashboard so it looks great on my laptop or phone.

[north mural]

I don't understand the plastic bag or anything about growing mushrooms. Would also love to read a playground note that goes more in-depth on the process. Ah I've yet to use home assistant. Now I'm more inclined to check it out. That's really cool.

[lucid bloom]

There are a couple things I did differently than most of the examples I found online. 3d printed mounting hardware so there is no tape/glue and easy assembly. I designed my exhaust fan mounts to fit a ptfe filter so every hole that isn't plugged with something has a ptfe filter. My humidifier runs about 10-12 minutes per day and maintains 85%-90% with zero water buildup in the box.

I went down there and took a picture with my phone, it's kinda hard to see the tiny stuff with the pi cam.

[kind burrow]

Thanks. Probably give it a go when I clean up the code...
BTW DJ, I very recently grabbed your code to get the rocket launches schedules, copied over to PI 4 and displaying on a TFT. Cool thanks.

[lucid bloom]

The bag is where the mycelium live. I bought a grow kit which is basically after the mycelium has taken over the food inside the bag and it's 100% ready to grow mushrooms. Different types of mushrooms want different conditions, some are easier than others. https://www.mycolabs.com/indoor-grow-kits

[north mural]

Neat! I love hearing when people find something I've done useful. Did you notice the weird way that windows are randomly filled? Sometimes it's window open, t-minus, close or some combination of the three? Took a lot of if statements to get them all sorted no matter what sequence they decide to add to the api.

[dark cairn]

Alright this has to be one of the weirder uses for my os..

[sonic fractal]

My DX32 mini weather station

[sonic fractal]

DX32D Dingus S3
Failure... and success
The first unit is faulty, i made a mistake and damaged it. However the second one, while it may not look as good is working perfectly

I could however salvage the working parts from the dead one and build another, but im too tired now

Maybe another day

[sand grotto]

Just stumbled upon this today (BIPES: Block based Integrated Platform for Embedded Systems):
https://bipes.net.br/pico/ui/

[sudden sail]

Finished v1 of the code for my wife’s custom weather monitor. Left block is weather data from open-meteo API, right is temperature and average humidity from 3 sensors that will go in various locations outside (presently all in my basement). Temperature in Albuquerque varies wildly between sun and shade, and she wanted monitors for each. The eInk updates every 20 minutes and also allows for remote battery monitoring. Now to design 3D printed enclosures for the base station (shown) and the outdoor sensors.

[last bronze]

Needs some love, but overall works (some of the flaps aren't working properly). A military telephone switch made in 1974

[carmine lagoon]

Our crowdfunding campaign for the open-source synthesizer PGB-1 is now live on Crowd Supply. 🥳 With CircuitPython support
https://www.crowdsupply.com/wee-noise-makers/wee-noise-makers-pgb-1

[brave thistle]

Hi, created this Gist (Raspi5 with Adafruit AHT20 and Adafruit GamepadQT), at intervals sending data directly to a Google Sheets spreadsheet: https://gist.github.com/PaulskPt/3cecfff431908e4e6441dc9956022ced

[sharp comet]

That is amazing! Thanks for sharing here 🎉

Making good progress on Textual TUI based CircuitPython Example Loader. It can search the full list now, and actually loads the selected example.

[kind burrow]

Thank you Tim - couldn't have done it without you! (Grin)

[versed lava]

Follow up on using the Vivid Unit as a frontend for a hardware digital modular synth. Godot doesn't run great on it - but its good enough for the frontend. Recorded it playing out of the crappy built in buzzer because its kind of cool 😉

[scarlet pelican]

Could you tell us more about this, this looks awesome

This is a guitar multieffects pedal one of my senior design teams at Georgia Tech made, based on the Daisy Seed STM32 platform and an OLED display: https://youtu.be/SEiJecN_Ums

One the students finish their report and tidy up their code and such, they plan to put on a GitHub repository and I'll post the link here

[versed lava]

Basically - I'm a little... disappointed... that in 2024, we still don't have something like a Nord Modular where you can edit the synth itself on the hardware. Meanwhile, we have all these relatively cheap SBCs and microcontrollers around these days so when I saw Adafruit had these vivid units in stock I thought it would be a fun board to experiment with. My goal is iterating fast so I decided to use Godot as the frontend and write a modular synth engine in C++ as a GDExtension.

The synth engine so far:

1. 4 basic synth blocks: PolyBlep osc, Simple Attack/Release Envelope, Simple Sine LFO, and a simple 4-pole moog style filter
2. 8ish control nodes for things like Gain, DCOffset, Adding/Multiplying/Min/Max/Rectifying signals
3. Supports sample accurate modulation
4. Any parameter can be modulated by any source including samples (this means you can do things like amplitude or phase modulation easily)

Godot:

1. Has a built in graph edit that they made for visual scripting. I've repurposed it for a modular synth
2. The graph edit lets you make your own node types that define their inputs and outputs
3. When you make a node, an osc for example, it adds that node in to the C++ synth engine and binds the controls
4. When you connect nodes/control signals it connects them in the C++ engine

[versed lava]

Issues so far:

1. The RK3399 in the vivid unit is... a lot slower than I was hoping. Its plenty fast for a synthesis engine but it struggles to run godot at a consistent framerate
2. The RK3399 doesn't have a vulcan driver and the opengl 3es support doesn't seem very good
3. Because of the above issues, I don't think it'll work very well for quickly scripting up musical nodes and controls like a step sequencer and an X/Y pad. I think it means I'll probably move to a Pi 4 or 5 since the more I have to do in c++ the slower I can iterate - and i'd rather iterate.

Next steps:

1. Replace my toy synthesis blocks with real ones
2. Add cost estimations to the blocks
3. Add polyphony support (right now its a single monophonic voice)
4. Add a midi engine
5. Write a driver to use GPIO as inputs to the synthesis engine (it would be fun to let users hook up sensors and such)
6. I have some other audio-type stuff such as an adafruit 8x8 trellis, some weird canbus synth things I built, encoders, etc I want to be able to use/bind modules to for realtime control

[scarlet pelican]

WOW! This is really impressive!!!!

[versed lava]

Thanks - its a lot of fun. I'm able to move fast because I have 15 years in the audio plugin industry. I changed jobs so its reinvigorated my passion for making stuff like this at home lately 🙂

[scarlet pelican]

very interesting -- when I read "canbus" I don't think synth...

[scarlet pelican]

that's awesome -- who did you work for? (I had some student learning JUCE this semester)

[versed lava]

iZotope (which is now Native Instruments)

[scarlet pelican]

One of my students built this real life Squid Beatz 2 controller for the game Splatoon 2: https://youtube.com/shorts/Xx-PWgOwrWg?si=jlUpECdr0eNpKsv8

[versed lava]

Do you teach a general engineering class? It sounds fun

[scarlet pelican]

At Georgia Tech we have a progarm called "Vertically Integrated Projects," which are faculty led student teams that do cool stuff where the students get class credit. The students are encouraged to sign up for it over multiple semesters, so there's some continuity as new students getting up to speed can be helped brought up to speed by students who have been on the team a while

[scarlet pelican]

I have a VIP team called "Retrofuturistic Hardware: Music, Gaming, and Computing" https://www.vip.gatech.edu/teams/vw9

[scarlet pelican]

We also restore and program vintage computers and came consoles. We build a lot of custom arcade controllers, you can see more here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOunECWxELQRNu0a2vS3iJ6OmM_7JOAqP

[exotic sierra]

I wish I had this 🤯

[versed lava]

That sounds like a great resume builder. I always look for that kind of stuff when I'm helping hire for green positions

[grave owl]

Added multiple new functions as of about ten minutes ago with version 1.0.2

https://github.com/d3k4-k3rb3r0s/CarWash

[grand jay]

64x64 HUB75 with an old plasma demo ported to Protomatter on nRF52840. there’s some level shifters under that big pile of ribbon cables (needed due to 3.3V logic not playing nice with the matrix)

[native inlet]

heck yeah
i don't usually do rhythm game stuff but i love splatoon

[exotic sierra]

RPiano V1 is fully assembled and glamorously photographed 🤩

If you’re interested in this cute little piano, I’ll be selling it through my shop and as with most everything I make, it’ll be open source with schematic and whatnot available soon! https://www.oakdev.tech/store/p27/PREORDER_-_RPiano_-_Learn_And_Make_Music_Maker.html#/

[vernal vigil]

Wiring up a synth module prototype while I watch JP's stream

[gusty shard]

Love the look.

[warped siren]

Uh oh, someone put the Death Star plans on Github! https://www.reddit.com/r/arduino/comments/1cjz81d/death_star_plans_code_on_github/

[gusty shard]

Many Bothans died to bring us this information.

[north mural]

Running on an Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather. Hardware acceleration only really works with vector fills. It says it can do images but I haven't experimented with that yet and I think that feature only works with 16-bit parallel mode. Most microcontrollers are running 8-bit (FourWire) SPI mode. Camera doesn't adequately capture how fast the refresh is due to framerate differences. It's so fast the RGB cycles become a blur. EPILEPSY WARNING: RAPIDLY CHANGING FLASHING COLORS

I said ra8875 display, that wasn't correct. The RA8875 is a display driver board. The actual display is just a 40-pin 7" SPI TFT display.

[exotic sierra]

(Bright flashing color notice: if you have issues with epilepsy, this video has bright flashing lights which might cause a trigger)

[north mural]

Thanks, I put a warning on it now.

[exotic sierra]

Great demonstration otherwise 😎

I’ve been wanting to use larger displays so the possibility of faster updates is enticing

[north mural]

I'm going to come up with more examples to add to the library. Something less burning on the eyes.

Yes it's very enticing but the lack of displayio makes it feel like the old basic gfx library from like a decade ago. a TON of work to be done for this driver board but the potential has me really excited, I'm just scratching the surface.

It reminds me of the potential for kmatch's HackTablet but the problem there is not everyone can get one. With something like this it can be made widely available.

[late kraken]

Testing using extracted icons from the MaterialIcons TTF font.

[north mural]

Here's the OSWHLab link for the board I brought onto Show & Tell last night. Triple adapter that allows you to use any combination of Feather + Pi Pico + QT Py or add-on boards. https://oshwlab.com/djdevon3/st7796s-triple-adapter

[lean elbow]

This is sweet!

[unreal mica]

it's sort of based on the Si5351A breakout board by Adafruit, same header/pinout (with 2 additional) at least, but a new design with extra features, including an I2C RTC IC and larger (1A) 3.3V regulator that outputs to one of those extra pins; made it to add RTC (and 3.3V) to an existing design that had no other way to easily add it without having to buy a whole new one :3

[late kraken]

Current UI showing live data. The space at the bottom will be a spark line of the last series of data

[north mural]

That’s great. Love the icons.

[late kraken]

thanks

I cut up the value display into 3 text labels so that I could get a "proportional" font treatment for the decimal

[gray inlet]

I got a bag from a bakery, and it was pretty enough that I wanted to use it as a gift bag. However, I wanted to cover up the name of the bakery.

So, I glued some cotton balls onto the bag to cover up the name, and turn the printed cloud into a three-dimensional cloud.

But before I glued on the cotton balls, I cut a couple of small holes on each side of the bag. (The two sides of the bag are identical.) On each side of the bag, I mounted a 130mm warm white "nOOd" (Adafruit #5504). On the inside of the bag, I wired up the two nOOds in series with each other, and in series with an appropriate resistor, and connected the circuit to a 9V battery snap.

So, now I have a bag with a glowing cloud on each side, which is powered by a 9V battery inside the bag, hidden underneath the present.

[exotic sierra]

I made a 2bit trainer MCU on an fpga

[burnt wyvern]

I always thought the button layout for that minigame was really confusing on the stock controller, so its cool to see a dedicated device for it!

[late kraken]

Latest UI test with a spark line!

[exotic sierra]

I’ve put the trainer CPU up on GitHub for anyone to try out: https://github.com/skerr92/O2-Trainer

[quartz canyon]

Maybe populate main branch?

[exotic sierra]

When I’m done developing 0.1.0 I will

I thought I shared the branch 💀

https://github.com/skerr92/O2-Trainer/tree/0.1.0/src

[quartz canyon]

Can you tell me what it does?

[exotic sierra]

Linearly executes 8 bit wide instructions. I can Add, Subtract, AND, and NOT for ALU operations, store intermediate in the 2b x 4 register file, store and read from a 2b x 16 bit of memory. And has the ability currently to load new instructions by asserting instr_we

Still some work to do on it, but it does run a simple program

[quartz canyon]

Yeah, I see. Thank you for explanation.
https://github.com/skerr92/O2-Trainer/blob/0.1.0/src/alu.v#L11-L14
https://github.com/skerr92/O2-Trainer/blob/0.1.0/src/instr_mem.v#L10-L26 --test program?

Plus some state machine in https://github.com/skerr92/O2-Trainer/blob/0.1.0/src/cpu.v#L60-L105

[exotic sierra]

Yup, pretty simple stuff for now 🙂

I’m going to release 0.1.0 today sometimes, start 0.2.0 which will include some additional operations like jumps

[quartz canyon]

Simplicity is very hard thing to keep.

I like this code because I can read it in like 10 minutes.

[exotic sierra]

The goal is to keep it very simple

[quartz canyon]

So there is no difference between code and data? Can we generate random say 5-byte programs for given test data until we get program that does ((a OR b) + 2)?

Also you don't have comparison and jump?

[exotic sierra]

Those will be coming, right now I was just using an 8 bit wide instruction which kind of limits what can be done

0.2.0 will widen the instruction to 10 or 12 bits.

This will allow memory to at least double, instructions to double, and ALU operations to double

Eventually this will encompass the same instructions as DungV, which is the first processor I made implementing the OASIS instruction set

Which I will eventually push up the changes to that 💀 I realize it’s been 5 months since I’ve done anything

OASIS = Open Architecture Simplified Instruction Set, sort of a pet project to develop a flexible architecture for CPU

[quartz canyon]

I mean the idea is to generate program that transforms input to desired output.

Say I want program that XORs two 2-bit operands. I know it's possible in NAND and NOR but I don't wish to think about formulae.

So I wish

do
  is_correct = true
  code = generate_random(5) // 5 bytes length
  for a = b00, b11
    for b = b00, b11
      mem[0] = a
      mem[1] = b
      execute(code, mem)
      if (xor(a, b) != mem[2])
        is_correct = false
until is_correct
print_code(code)

[exotic sierra]

Yeah, that should be possible as xor will be added

[north mural]

Pulled the trigger on a PCB design that acts as a simple step down from 27VAC to 24VAC. The irrigation timer I have has a built-in 24VAC transformer but it actually outputs 27VAC. According to the irrigation timer documents it requires a minimum distance of 15 feet to connect a pump-start relay (PSR). Why 15 feet? Because it needs that distance for voltage drop to bring it closer to 24VAC. Since my timer is only 2 feet from the PSR I'm going to introduce some resistance to make it think it's 15 feet away. This is a solution to a problem that only affects a few people but when you have this issue you can either run 15 feet of cable just to connect to a PSR 2 feet away or do something like this. A variable resistor or potentiometer might be a better solution I'll look into in the future. For now I just need it as a proof of concept prototype.

The values printed on the 3D models are incorrect. I've verified the actual components are a 10 ohm and 82 ohm resistor.

[stark latch]

Tiny robot arm WIP. Uses 6 SG90 servos: base, shoulder, elbow, wrist flex, wrist rotate, grip. With arm fully extended, it's about 200x100x60mm. Weighs about 105g. The "fingertips" are 1x2mm.

Will eventually be controlled by a Feather M0 Express, which will sample potentiometers attached to a much larger (4x scale?) controller arm, translating and scaling the inputs to drive the robot arm.

And, yes, I'm aware of how much it looks like a deranged robot bird.

[pallid saffron]

nah -- i like it a lot, but i'm pretty big on deranged (been meaning to post this for a bit) -- this is the Autonomous Servo Servant Home Assistant Thingie (uses MQTT and HA for remote control) -- say "hello", Thingie (i'll let y'all work out the acronym yourselves)

i think i may steal the "fingers" setup you have there ...

[north mural]

Beautiful acronym. 👏

[pallid saffron]

i was pretty nefarious for those when i was workng: there's a whole bunch of very silly named software apps running Your Local Cable Systems 😈

[stark latch]

...and I just now found out that the Arduino servo library, in addition to the write() method, which takes integer degrees, has a writeMicroseconds() method that translates to increments of about 0.18 degrees. That means that, with a bit of reprogramming...
a) the "fingertips" could separate in increments of about 140 micrometers instead of 1mm or
b) the fully-extended arm, rotating at the shoulder, could have a precision of 0.35mm instead of 2mm
So a six-fold increase in precision just by changing a few lines of code. That might actually make this thing practical.

[pallid saffron]

don't know if you were aware of the origins of your project's concept -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldo_(short_story)

[stark latch]

Yep! I had a copy of "Waldo & Magic, Inc." sometime in the 80s I think.

[pallid saffron]

i had the crazy "matching" set of heinlein books that ace put out in the late 70's -- before he got totally [expletive] weird

[stark latch]

Yeah, some of his stuff did not age well. 😄

[alpine token]

MIDI Spoon Piano w/ Raspberry Pi Pico, circuitpython, & touch sensing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Xef2qi53g Big props to @warped siren for the code as I literally just plunked what he wrote into my design.

[stark latch]

Robot Arm - Test #1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZeP9UainAQ

[north mural]

I thought there would be too much weight on them with 3D printed brackets. Good to know those servos can take it. great design.

[stark latch]

Thanks! I think I need to upgrade the servos, though. Those are SG90 knockoffs I picked up on Amazon. I might pick up a couple TowerPro digital SG90 servos and see how different they are.

[marble mantle]

get mg90 version, with metal gears

[pallid saffron]

i swapped to cheap MG90S -- they have the same basic footprint as the SG90's but metal gears, different spline, and (from my experimenting on adjusting the trim values) a 200 degree full swing -- the stall torque is about the same, but they play nicer with small over-loads

[vernal vigil]

"Get a second monitor," they said. "It'll make programming easier."

I'm not convinced.

[pallid saffron]

size does matter in some cases

[bitter dome]

Make the font very small and get magnifying glass 🙂

[marble mantle]

1-pixel font works great

[eternal swift]

"128x64 ought to be enough for anybody" (Jonathan Frakes III)

[earnest flax]

https://x.com/rangenmichael/status/1792634418047180931?s=46&t=yvTn36n5ytpVjJhhfnzhYA

Michael Rangen (@RangenMichael) on X

I rewrote the POV code and made it more user friendly! @adafruit’s image_load and displayio libraries make file parsing in #CircuitPython easy! I hope this code unlocks some new projects ideas for Breadstick owners 🌈🪄I can’t wait to see what you all make!

Twitter · May 20, 2024, 7:12 PM

[earnest flax]

https://fixupx.com/breadstick_kits/status/1793110193330667997

[dark cairn]

Native Beryllium OS console support for the display and keyboard of the Cardputer.
So it's basically a laptop now.
You can go online, download files, edit documents and play games.
What else could you need?
RAM? No you don't.

(clearer screen photo)

Since it has pins exposed too, you can even use it to connect to other boards via uart..

[clever stone]

Using what I learned from writing my CircuitPython asyncio input handler, the user experience for the 2024 eChallengeCoin text adventure game is SOOOO much better.
As you make your way thru the Dark Labyrinth. The ePaper display will periodically update your map!
(asyncio example: https://gitlab.com/bradanlane_cp/asynchronous-io)

[sonic fractal]

The RECH-1, one of chiles nuclear reactors

[dark cairn]

Emergency power bank.
And I once again repeat: Grove is USB-A for microcontrollers.
Prove me wrong.

It's 1500 mAh, so it's not bad.

[vernal vigil]

First test - it works 👍

[cunning lava]

I got jealous of the people who had all those ribbons added to the bottom of their conference badges, so I decided to make a blinky ribbon for myself for next time.

[exotic sierra]

Doing some RP2040 + iCE40 examples 😎

[marble mantle]

reverse engineering some smart servo protocol...

[exotic sierra]

How’s the rigol scope working out for you?

[marble mantle]

quite well except I didn't yet find a simple way to hook it to a computer.
PulseView can't see it, and Rigils official software is for Windows only (I use Mac).
But I didn't spend much time on this.

[exotic sierra]

I’m considering a 200MHz scope from Siglent

I want to do some Ethernet stuff (125MHz per channel or so) so a 200MHz scope would work I think.

[exotic sierra]

Personally I’d love a Teledyne Lecroy but I don’t have the budget for that 😀

[marble mantle]

maybe a used one?

[exotic sierra]

Hehe, even used ones are pretty pricey. One day though 🙂

[peak marlin]

I made a thing - the code needs some work but it works:
https://github.com/DerBroader71/repomonitor

if anyone remembers teletext https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teletext

[jade path]

I don't know if you're interested, but that looks like the so-called "cheap yellow display", you might want to submit it to https://github.com/witnessmenow/ESP32-Cheap-Yellow-Display/blob/main/PROJECTS.md

[vernal vigil]

protip: If you're making your own cables using header pin + socket connectors, paint a colourful stripe on one end of the connectors so you never plug them in backwards

[sand grotto]

Just had to buy some more tipex pens for that reason, sharpie on black connectors doesn't quite cut it 😉

[exotic sierra]

Video that’s too long for my non-nitro account https://x.com/oakdevtech/status/1795617281470505158

Oak Development Technologies (@oakdevtech) on X

Doing another example with the RPGA Feather, this time getting a pseudorandom 3 bit number from the FPGA into the RP2040.

Twitter · May 29, 2024, 12:44 AM

The one time I get no link preview boo..

Okay, anyway that link is to a video demonstrating getting an output from the FPGA to the RP2040 on the RPGA Feather

[odd panther]

Well this is what I was able to make

[restive forum]

Max Headroom cosplay when???

[odd panther]

Honestly, not a bad idea

[restive forum]

☺️

You need to wear the suit with it, of course..

[vernal vigil]

when you're not sure about the pin assignments

[vernal vigil]

(turns out I guessed right woohoo)

Achievement Unlocked: Put the Darn Heatshrink Tubing On Before Soldering Both Ends

[warm crater]

Hey all I want to do another show and tell next week and I need to come up with a better way to point a camera at the project instead of trying to aim my laptop camera at it. Can I use my iPhone or something? What would be best would be an external camera on a tripod so I can have both hands to much with the project on camera.

[livid copper]

They make a little tripod that can hold up a phone

[cedar trellis]

You could get something like this for your phone, flexible gooseneck that can be adjusted in any direction.

[clever stone]

@warm crater - the direction you need the camera to point is often the key to deciding what to use.
I use current (and old) smartphones as cameras for stream through OBS. I have two solutions for holding phone cameras:

1. Down facing camera uses a 3D printed platform
2. Forward and arbitrary angle facing camera uses a locline clamp

Down camera solution:
https://gitlab.com/bradanlane/models

[stark latch]

Robot Arm Test 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F_dEwJgQ4A

[late kraken]

Deep sleep wake from button press! My first physical button interface 😁

[stark latch]

STL files and SCAD source available here in case anyone wants to make one: https://www.printables.com/model/898783-tiny-robot-arm
For the video, I'm using a Feather M0 but any sort of device that can control 6 servos would do.

[magic matrix]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iatpEbRMiGw&t=22s
final year project, electronics engg.
open for suggestions

[exotic sierra]

Respinning IcyBlue FPGA to use an even nicer Lattice FPGA, a Crosslink-NX

Still a work in progress but wow doing the power on this thing was wild

Lots of capacitors and ferrite beads

[sand grotto]

Circuitpython ESP32 BLE sending SHT3x data (on T-DisplayS3) to Adafruit BlueFruit Connect app. Thanks for the work Scott, seems to pass initial halt and catch fire test, thrilled doesn't begin to cover it https://youtu.be/BnHAt1iiKOM

[sand grotto]

Moved on to reliable hard-fault 😄 Using an LSM303AGR (accelerometer) with the BLE Web Dashboard, hard fault as soon as it tries to start notifications from the AccelerationService, although I'm also seeing a console message claiming the web dashboard is attempting to update the measurement period which happens before notify start (I set it to 500 ms period instead of 100 in code so shouldn't be required, but maybe not part of broadcast info so writes desired value rather than read then write if incorrect).
Modified example to skip non-available sensors and have 3 Accelerometer options, https://github.com/tyeth/Adafruit_CircuitPython_BLE/blob/web-bluetooth-dashboard/examples/ble_bluefruit_web_dashboard.py, I'll capture more details before filing an issue.
BLE Web Dashboard: https://kind-decisive-paw.glitch.me/

[sand grotto]

Feather ESP32v2 working well too (for temp+humidity+button+neo)

[exotic sierra]

More progress on the Feather NX

[sand grotto]

🤩 What's on it, couldn't find with a quick search?
Think this might be the year I do a PCB (first since I was a kid)

[exotic sierra]

It’s a Lattice Crosslink-NX FPGA their LIFCL-40 line I believe.

Based around this one here: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/LIFCL-40-7BG256C/12751829

[sand grotto]

Aye, not cheap, fair play. I'm still FPGA shy for now, but tempted for years. Need a real reason to have one, some dynamic reprogrammable reason (DSP seemed a lot of cases or video things). One day 😁

[exotic sierra]

Yeah, this FPGA will be able to do some crazy stuff like run a RISC-V softcore, run litex or even small Linux distros

There are cheaper variants as well that come in QFN packages

[sand grotto]

How beefy is that softcore, what kind of modules / IP gets loaded potentially...

[exotic sierra]

Well, you can do SGMII (L2 MAC protocol), MIPI, CSI, you can end up doing other things like RGMII which is also Ethernet.

The fabric supports 1.25G SERDES

You also get support for LPDDR3

The MIPI PHY can do 10G per PHY, and there are 2x on the FPGA

[sand grotto]

That sounds like NUC levels

Not mega, but good

[exotic sierra]

It’s big application is like edge ML/AI applications with connected cameras

[sand grotto]

Okay, that's something that could push me, I know GPUs aren't optimised for TPU work, and I have dreams of identity detection amongst squirrels and birds (to squirt with water when feeding at bird feeders too long - daily limit)

[exotic sierra]

😄

[sand grotto]

Hehe, it's the funny mischievous and perverse that fuel me, second to the need to understand things

[exotic sierra]

Im working on a few designs with this FPGA too. I should make a module that supports hooking up cameras and gigabit Ethernet

[sand grotto]

Sensible combination

[exotic sierra]

I broke out one of the PHY that does MIPI/CSI/DSI but I would probably need a crossover board to ensure you could use it with camera modules

[sand grotto]

This is it, nothing is simple in FPGA-land

[exotic sierra]

That’s just high speed io land in general

😄

But, as long as the designer does the right things, you should only have to hook things up

[sand grotto]

That's it, follow the design rules (a lot automated these days) and fingers crossed it's all gravy (lol language is funny)

[raven shale]

This is my (third) iteration of Adafruit's Maypad + KB2040 tutorial project. The hardware was one and done, but I went through KMK (following the tutorial), then wrote my own circuitpython script using the keypad library (to learn), and finally went back to QMK since they made it substantially easier to use on the RP2040 with VIA support. I printed out a case and keycaps for it as I'll be sending it off as a gift to numpadless friend.

[exotic sierra]

Back looks better now

[clever stone]

@sand grotto - if you are not ready to jump to FPGA, then I would consider digging into what is possible with the PIO of the RP2040 - it is capable of doing some impressing tasks: VGA, DVI, signal generator, CANbus, USB, and more.

[sand grotto]

100% good advice. Yeah I should probably explore something simpler in PIO before diving into verilog/vhdl etc, I'd hoped to dive into the ULP cores in esp-land, but keep getting distracted by new shiny things (BLE on esp32 this week)😄

[clever stone]

@sand grotto - new MCUs are a Maker's "SQUIRREL" 😜

[cunning lava]

pcbs arrived

[clever stone]

Combining the CircuitPython deep sleep feature with an ePaper display and an accelerometer interrupt ...

[eternal maple]

The CG-35 retro RPN calculator project. CircuitPython running on an ESP32-S3 with a 3.5-inch capacitive touch FeatherWing display. https://youtu.be/bBqApLaqzmY

The calculator's Learn:Playground page: https://adafruit-playground.com/u/CGrover/pages/cg-35-a-retro-rpn-calculator

[exotic sierra]

Welp, I think it's basically ready to order at this point

[cunning lava]

The LEDs arrived too.

[ashen iron]

I'd like to present my Feather compatible ESP32 board (with STEMMA QT port, too) for solar & battery powered projects: ESP32-S3 PowerFeather.
Features a Texas Instruments BQ25628E as charger IC, with an on-board fuel guage Onsemi LC709204F. Low current deep sleep, under 20 uA.
Has an ESP-IDF & Arduino helper library for interfacing with the BQ25628E and LC709204F.

I made a showcase video of it: https://youtu.be/VF9AFk1Hf88

Please excuse the production quality - as I don't really have a setup for media production like this 😄

Hopefully the information is good, though.

More info in the docs site: https://docs.powerfeather.dev/

[eager atlas]

I updated some stock ticker matrix cpy code for a 64x64 display and now I can wake up and see if I'm a millionaire yet.

https://github.com/SamDamDing/MatrixPortalStockTicker

[exotic sierra]

We’re on the same wavelength @clever stone 😋

I posted cool stuff on Xitter and was like, “I should share this on the Adafruit discord” and here you are after posting on Xitter too 😂

[clever stone]

I am working on two designs that are collectively referred to as "Explorer Badges". They are an RP2040 boards either loads of capacity for exploring what is possible with programming microcontrollers with CircuitPython.

The boards support both PWM and I2S audio. Here is an audio demonstration ...

[exotic sierra]

RPGA Feather is a thing of beauty. RP2040? Easy choice. ICE40 FPGA? Accessible and well supported. Together? An amazing embedded experience.

[clever stone]

I am fascinated by what could be possible with FPGA 🤩

[exotic sierra]

Now all I have to do this weekend is finish rounding out documentation, examples, etc.. and also waiting for Tindie approval

[marble mantle]

do you still sell through your own store? or Tindie only?

[exotic sierra]

Switched to just Tindie for now. Maintaining my web store was a bit more expensive than I was expecting with sales being pretty slow.

When they pick up, I’m going to probably do my web store again

[molten jewel]

O_o really? what are the costs of your own store?

etsy steals almost 20% of my sale whihc is quite high

[ashen iron]

Aside from ESP32-S3 PowerFeather, I'm also working on a LoRa FeatherWing, featuring E22-900M22S (SX1262) + PIC18.

Why the PIC18? To allow some degree of pin remapability, in case of stacking multiple of these.

[quartz needle]

Behold a finished noodle lantern

[late kraken]

After much learnings, I am driving both displays! eInk using the ThinkInk feather friend over SPI and an OLED over I2C

[exotic sierra]

I've been working on a local parts management web app to help me track parts. I've made it so far to support adding individual parts, a list of parts in a csv file, as well as being able to update parts, and add basic project management (name, desc, repo link). This will be getting better over time. But I figured i'd share it here 🙂 https://github.com/skerr92/my-reels

[ancient skiff]

I designed and 3d printed an enclosure for a friend's retrocomputing project. You'll be able to load code on a microcontroller a nibble at a time by pressing the 0-9 A-F keys on the left, and access different modes and actions via the 4 buttons + 4 toggle switches.

[amber merlin]

I made this video showing off a board replacement and firmware for one of those buddhist chanting boxes - and then I realized that adafruit stocks them! so maybe of interest to the folks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xELX-fj47k

[exotic sierra]

I’ve added a preliminary project part list table to the projects page. Still some work to do in order to make this more cohesive and not just a spam of parts in partlists

[gritty owl]

I made my bathroom a little bit funky. 🙂
I designed and did most of the work by myself and my gf. Not just the electronics, but everything beside the tiling.
I used wled, ethert Dig Uno and SK6812 ledstrip

[lost remnant]

Built a USB PD CH224K based WLED controller with 12V and 5V output. I'm fairly new to circuit board design so I'm glad it worked with minimal issues. Hacked an aliexpress purchased infinity mirror LED thing to put on WLED animations. The bouncing balls one is fun. Going to redesign it later to ditch the D1 mini in favor of an ESP32 on the board but I didn't want to complicate the project further given a lot of it was new to me and I was fearful it wouldn't work as-is.

[lost remnant]

I'm a fan of the CH224K -- WeAct makes a CH224K board they sell fairly cheap with a dip switch allowing for voltage toggle -- useful for all sorts of projects. https://oshwlab.com/wagiminator/ch224k-usb-pd-decoy Stefan Wagner also has an open source version available.

[cedar timber]

What are you intending to do with the FPGA?

[exotic sierra]

Whatever you can think up, run a softcore CPU, DSP core, etc..

I have a hobby business so I sell things that I think are pretty cool. Some people also think they’re cool and buy them

[burnt wyvern]

Not sure if this is a project that's suitable enough for this channel, but the switch for checking if the disc tray is closed in my Nintendo GameCube broke and I couldn't find a reasonably priced OEM or third party replacement (around $25 USD without tax or shipping!!) So I decided to improvise, I harvested a limit switch from a dead 3D printer and with a lot of measuring and iterations of 3D prints (and a bit of cutting the shell, sadly) I managed to make my own! And yeah, it just barely fits.

[cedar timber]

Oh awesome! I have great respect for business owners. Do you have an online shop?

[cedar timber]

Nice job! Looks legit

[exotic sierra]

https://www.tindie.com/stores/oakdevtech/

[burnt wyvern]

Thanks!

[exotic sierra]

I'm really excited for Alpha Release 0.0.3 for MyReels! This update brings the ability to "build" projects. What this does is allows you to select from current projects and it will subtract the number of parts needed to build your project from global inventory. It's pretty straightforward. https://github.com/skerr92/my-reels/releases/tag/0.0.3

If you try it out, let me know what you think 🙂

[eager flume]

I ported doom-nano to an ST7735. Wasn't too difficult but I made a quick optimization that instead of clearing the screen, I draw vertical lines over the parts i've updated (so only those parts are redrawn to the screen), which boosted the FPS from 2 to 10

https://github.com/simplyrohan/doom-nano

[fringe oak]

I had been posting about this in project help but I’ve got the default face done now 🎉

[jovial ocean]

Proto!

[shell hawk]

I compiled an unofficial CircuitPython port for Docker and I'm hoping some of you can break it. Images are available x86 and ARM.
https://github.com/rgrizzell/docker-circuitpython-linux

If you're not keen on running strange Docker images on your computer, build instructions are in the README.

[glad roost]

have you seen this also? https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/pull/9349

[ashen iron]

Assembled 3 pcs for now for developing the PIC18 firmware...

[cursive egret]

I figured I’d share my completed Spaceship Earth build. I mapped the LEDs to a 2D matrix so I could display custom patterns. I created a playlist that syncs up with the EPCOT 40th Anniversary Points of Light Show.

https://youtu.be/w-fTOz0E1os?si=KgUbBD44nTA6ov2a

[cedar timber]

Going from a Pi Pico W to the nRF52840 Sense! This should make for an excellent brain for the rover 😁

[lean elbow]

Built another "top-secret" lunchbox. This one is a bit smaller in size and scope than the last one I built, but I like the way it came together more. The idea for this one is to have several old-school telephone switchboard-style puzzles, perhaps as part of a larger suite of puzzles/top-secret devices. Here's a quick peek at a puzzle where you need to make connections with the ports of matching color, before running out of time, or connection attempts.

The idea for a switchboard routing style puzzle box came from an episode of JP's workshop several months ago where he was playing around with similar concepts. Thanks @terse totem!

[terse totem]

This is wonderful!!

[lean elbow]

Thanks John! 😄

[lapis jasper]

Very cool! How are you detecting which plugs are plugged into others?

[lean elbow]

Thanks! The basic idea is that each plug is connected to a GPIO configured as an input with a pullup resistor. Then, periodically, we iterate through each plug's GPIO, changing it to output and setting it low, and then scanning the rest of the input plugs to see if they've been pulled low. If so, we know those two plugs are connected. I can't find the episode of JP's workshop where he was playing with this, but I believe this video was the inspiration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa_JP8u2bVc

[north mural]

Working on a touchscreen for the Rachio irrigation timer. work in progress.

[pallid saffron]

how to make a Pi 3 actually work a bit (and top out I2C as well) -- running Kotlin/JVM 😈 for multi-threading

[tired flax]

Managed to port a tiny Convolutional Neural Networks to CircitPython. Incredible the RP2040 chip is able to handle a camera , TFT LCD and the neural network while running CircuitPython. I have written a detailed writeup about my project (https://tinyurl.com/45vbwcs4), which contains a workflow that can be used to train models in Tensorflow and port them to CircuitPython. This repository has everything needed for running the model and training new ones: https://github.com/code2k13/cnn_circuit_python .

[lost remnant]

https://www.printables.com/model/926922-animal-tags https://www.cranberrygrape.com/3d-printing/animal-tags/ 3D printing related project writeup describing the process of taking an image and turning it into an SVG to then cutout via fusion 360. A pretty simple project so apologies if it doesn't belong here.

[lean elbow]

This is really cool, I was actually planning on trying something like this soon. Thanks for the write-up!

[lean elbow]

My gf asked me to build her a little gadget to help her remember if she took her meds on any given day. The way it works is she presses the button when she takes her meds, and the device lights up. It uses an RTC to reset the lights every night. Kirby fans might recongnize the audio

Uses a Propmaker RP2040 feather, a clear arcade button modified with a Neopixel, 2 neopixel sticks, and a little oval speaker. Programmed in CircuitPython

[quartz needle]

That's a great idea

Mine is just one of those med bottle tops with the timer for. When it was last opened

[lean elbow]

Thanks! This is the design she sent me when she asked me to build it lol. The comic sans in the final build was my idea 😂

[stark latch]

Made myself a custom 3D-printed membrane keypad. The controller is a Trinket M0, using the Keypad and Keyboard Arduino libraries to scan the matrix and translate into keyboard events. The key graphics are printed on vinyl adhesive printer paper.

[proven ruin]

an em dash key would be so useful.

[stark latch]

Right? I was using em dashes so much, I built a keypad for it. Granted, I could've just bought a NeoKey and done just the em dash, but why engineer when you can over-engineer? 😄

[bitter dome]

this is the same donut but battery powered

[loud crane]

hey guys, I saw adafruit's Neo trinkey rubber ducky, and it didnt seem to work on other devices, and looked like some code could be removed, so I made one that use BOARD.Button rather than whatever they were using, and ported the code to the QT2040 Trinkey, and published it on github:

https://github.com/N-coder82/qtducky

if anyone wants to use

[stark latch]

Might've gone a bit overboard on this... https://youtu.be/OVDJm5ZllzE

[lost remnant]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umzO1WO6qNo
https://www.cranberrygrape.com/mini-projects/unihiker-remote/

Fairly simple project just making a remote control for an omni-directional mecanum car using my DFRobot Unihiker. The car I used comes with a Banana Pi PicoW S3 which is primarily geared towards CircuitPython. Relied on the libraries included by the car's manufacturer for a lot of the heavy lifting here.

[rich linden]

I had a little bit of inspiration and wanted to see if I could use an LLM to help suggest projects with items I purchased from Adafruit. I downloaded a csv with my "inventory" and created the following. It suggests components, provides basic project planning, and produces some rudimentary code. It is interesting but needs some more work.

[exotic sierra]

Nice

[grave nacelle]

skerr suggested that I should mention this here... this is a project I made for sending video frames from a Pi Pico to a web page over Web Serial. It's basically a virtual display https://github.com/samblenny/webserialdisplay. There's a Playground guide for it at https://adafruit-playground.com/u/SamBlenny/pages/virtual-display-over-web-serial

[short summit]

that's a cool project and nice job documenting all of it, too!

[grave nacelle]

thanks!

[lapis jasper]

Nice! Maybe we need a generic framebuffer display so that you could have displayio render into something you can send. I've wanted to add USB video support for this too.

[grave nacelle]

mmm... yeah, I've definitely been considering how/if I can rig this up with displayio stuff to use it as a virtual display. Haven't gotten past the vague-idea stage yet, and I'm generally unfamiliar with displayio, so I don't know how much is possible with the current core + libraries.

if it's possible to somehow get a bytearray reference to the backing buffer used by a displayio.Bitmap, then it would be very simple to base64 encode the whole thing.

if it is possible to get both the bitmap's dirty rectangle and a bytearray reference, then it would probably be not too difficult to send rectangle-update frames instead of always updating the whole frame

maybe this is already possible with something like

bitmap = displayio.Bitmap(320, 240, 65536)
arr = np.frombuffer(bitmap, dtype=np.uint16)

(from https://learn.adafruit.com/capturing-camera-images-with-circuitpython/working-with-image-data )

[lapis jasper]

I don't think we actually expose this back to circuitpython. It is an interesting idea.

[stark latch]

Very simple thing but also very handy. It's just a USB A and micro USB wired together and stuffed into a custom enclosure. But it's so much less messy than having a 6-inch cable to connect two devices that are only an inch apart.

[stark latch]

I've been playing with 3D-printed membrane keypads lately. I found a Bluefruit Feather that I think I got as part of an AdaBox, wired it up to a 60-key matrix, and printed up some graphics on a label sheet. The result is a pretty decent rechargeable wireless keyboard. It measures 130×82×15mm including the stand I made for it. No idea how long it`d last on a full charge, though.

[lean elbow]

Are you using PLA for the membrane pads, or something like TPU? Or both? Very curious about the process!

[stark latch]

Yep, it's PLA all the way through. The pads are a zigzag to make them more flexible, Copper foil on the underside of the pads and the top side of the base. The STLs and OpenSCAD source are here if you want to try it out: https://www.printables.com/model/931882-membrane-keypad

[lean elbow]

Very clever! Thanks for sharing the designs, I definitely wanna give this a shot 😄

[lost remnant]

https://www.hackster.io/timo614/level-up-xiao-level-shift-pcb-72a42b
https://www.cranberrygrape.com/mini-projects/level-up-board/
https://oshwlab.com/timo6141/xiao-level-shifter_copy
https://youtu.be/0NuqCE4w80U

Made a level shifting PCB for my Xiao sized microcontrollers. Allows selecting 3V3 or 5V via a jumper. Pretty simple PCB.

[lost remnant]

Used it for various projects which worked well -- Uno 5V to Xiao ESP32S3 3V3 serial, i2c 5V for Seeed's Vision AI V2 module, and a water atomization module that runs at 5V

[stark latch]

I prettied it up a bit and posted everything on Printables. It uses the Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE but could probably be reworked to use a different board, as long as it has Bluetooth and at least 16 free GPIO pins.
https://www.printables.com/model/942010-bluetooth-keyboard

[lean elbow]

This is great, thanks!

[lost remnant]

https://www.cranberrygrape.com/mini-projects/foot-pedal-enhanced/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37s4px8k248
Tiny project using a Xiao SAMD21 as the MCU for my foot pedal replacing the existing controller for a cheap USB based foot pedal from aliexpress. The original foot pedal used 4 wires with a round robin approach for powering the pins while checking the state of the others but I designed and 3D printed a replacement component for use with a 5 conductor wire in place of the 4 with a separate power wire. Makes for a neat actuator. Tested it out with a video game controlling the spaceship via the pedals. Planning on using this for future projects.

[fervent finch]

5 JSON pulls and a lot of trial and error later my first coding project in 15+ years is pretty close to done. Pulls MTA and openweathermap data as well as data from a temperature sensor. The LED display is counting down seconds to the next bus and the individual neopixels blink when nearby trains have delays. Going to work on tidying code and creating an enclosure next.

[pallid saffron]

literally a "plug-and-play" instant infra-red remote transceiver (the question now is esphome or finish making the software myself... 😈 )

[crimson egret]

In the next months, JWST will be doing long spectrographs that could confirm dark stars. In cosmology, it could be the biggest confirmation of our lifetimes.
So I made a scheduler that says what JWST is doing right now, with a lovely MagTag.

[main loom]

After months of procrastination, I finally got off my butt and actually integrated everything. I'm not technically done yet as the two orange buttons are still linked, and part of me would like to separate them and make a proper 3 button joystick.
When I started work on this I was worried about trying to map a 10 bit analog read into the 16 bit values that the computer actually expects. Turns out the TinyUSB library handles that for you when you configure it as a gamepad. In fact, it only wants 8 bit values.

I'm actually quite pleased with being able to nestle the trinket and extra wires in the open spaces of the housing. going on the outside of the screw standoffs works great as strain relief too.

[pallid saffron]

as a former apple //e owner (and played the bleep out of F16), this just really tickles me no end

[main loom]

Hehe. Now I just have to find something to play. Modern games need so many buttons.

[pallid saffron]

DOOM? 😈

[marble mantle]

Tetris!

https://tenor.com/view/tetris-tetrio-tspin-tki-gif-1551220371961585898

[main loom]

Hmm. Doom might actually not be a bad idea.
Well, Heretic actually. Obviously still need the keyboard for some things, but two buttons would be enough for shooting and interacting with things.

[lost remnant]

"One Finger Death Punch" uses two buttons IIRC -- stick figure fighting game.

[neon harbor]

Currently working on finishing this. The PCB and Firmware is done, I am just working on getting some excellent enclosures
https://hackaday.io/project/196972-open-source-linux-camera-with-ai

[pallid saffron]

these two are a little hard to see, but this is a demo of the https://github.com/EAGrahamJr/ha-minimqtt (in progress) library -- the first is the device being discovered by HomeAssistant (registers as "i-spy"), the second is a "connectivity sensor" (binary) that's tied to the board.BUTTON on the ESP32 (connected when button is pressed)

[native basalt]

Over the last two months I’ve been working on a pretty cool project, a fully automated IOT enabled model railroad. This layout uses 3 esp32s, an MQTT server and a python script to let people around the world run my model train layout over twitch. Right now it is fairly simple with just a run command but overtime plan to add lights and more effects to the layout. If anyone wants to learn more feel free to ping me and I’d be happy to share more.

[north valve]

Casey Jones, you better watch your speed

[karmic mulch]

Got OpenMote to play the Dino Game! It's surprisingly fun to have buttons back and not be limited to a mouse or keyboard.

[cunning lava]

This is the most powerful CP game console I made so far, with 16MB of flash and 8MB of psram, plus 320x240 screen and i2s sound

[neon harbor]

Looks very pretty

Are buttons handled by interrupts?

[cursive egret]

Had some more fun with the NeoPixel Spaceship Earth project.

https://youtu.be/8mZQfCH0bLE?si=RukXO_nuCxaXoT0Z

[north mural]

Font animations can be more RAM efficient than sprite sheets. Here is a demonstration of a 75px symbol font that is 4 KB while a 75x375 sprite sheet it's 28 KB. Because it's a font there's an added benefit of being able to color any glyph (animation frame) independently. Even though the cloud and lightning bolt are neighboring characters they can be separately colored. The animated frames are unicode keyboard characters. I'm sure there's a better use case for this but I don't know what it is. Since fonts are vector based in their design this might really appeal to those who like designing with vector.```py
def animated_font(glyph1, glyph2, glyph3, glyph4, glyph5):
weather_icon_base.text = f"{glyph1}"
weather_icon_animate.text = f"{glyph2}"
time.sleep(0.5)
weather_icon_animate.text = f"{glyph3}"
time.sleep(0.5)
weather_icon_animate.text = f"{glyph4}"
time.sleep(0.5)
weather_icon_animate.text = f"{glyph5}"
time.sleep(0.5)
while True:
animated_font("\uF0F1", "\uF0F2", "\uF0F3", "\uF0F4", "\uF0F5")

To move the character itself with code would take a lot more code. Since the animation is built into the font all you have to do is display the characters sequentially.

[solid falcon]

Yeah Font Animations was a trick used in old school nintendo games as well. The way they got stuff to wiggle when you highlighted it and stuff, wasnt by moving it via code. It was litterally just displaying characters back to back on a custom font saved in the game cart.

[silent mango]

https://nuvotion.live/tutorials/how-to-make-a-crt-video-wall-matrix

[lost remnant]

Made a compressed TinyML model of 38 bird outputs and put together a project around it https://www.hackster.io/timo614/bird-detection-with-tinyml-and-a-blues-notecard-b8b705
Using a tilt sensor to trigger Seeed Vision AI V2 Module inference over i2c on my level shifting board (https://www.cranberrygrape.com/mini-projects/level-up-board/) and Xiao ESP32C3 which then sends a note (with the bird image) over Blues Notecard to their backend which is routed to a Rust server hosted on shuttle.rs using Axum as the framework.

[pallid saffron]

I just realized that you might have a slight "translation error" -- temperature and wind-speed are in imperial units but the pressure is in metric

[north mural]

I prefer millibars. Not a fan of the weather industry switching to hpa.

[median holly]

https://github.com/Kingfrankbob/MatrixAPI

I present to you:
MATRIX API

Hosted on a Raspberry Pi on my local network, this was built with a 64x64 matrix and a Matrix Portal M4. Revolving between these screens:
My version of the Wave Function Collapse
Time (digital + analog)
My local Pool temp
Local Weather with bonus calculations
Hilbert Curve
ADDED BONUS
After 9pm local time it will be forced in to Moon Mode which draws an 8 bit representation of the current moon phase according to the Noaa Weather API (US Only iirc)

Still not perfect and has memory issues, I tried a few fixes but could never get it working 100%... I was going to show this on Show And Tell but IDK if I will ever get the time

Hosted with flask, and on my local pi an auto updater script and auto start script as well (will not be added to repo)
I have implemented Custom drawing and graphics because none of the library's available had the functions I needed, I have considered adding this as a PR to ad fruits official stuff, but its not efficient so who knows. Id like to add it tho, as it seems like if could be useful for more than just me...

If you have any questions feel free to ping me, the github is also public if anyone has comments on my code

[lost remnant]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5HlXIfxEXU made a generative AI sandbox.

[lost remnant]

https://www.hackster.io/sand-command/infinite-sands-df675a

[cunning lava]

they are handled by the keypad library in cp

[grand turtle]

https://github.com/hlord2000/OPT4001-STEMMA-QT-Light-Sensor
Made this stemma board last night for TI's precision ambient light sensor 👍 JLC is making them now!

[tame dawn]

This is my portable rig. After my Pixel Slate battery started to swell I got bored buying non-upgradable hardware. So I put this together. It's a Sunfounder 10.1" IPS touchscreen, powered by a Raspberry Pi5 with a Pimoroni NVMe base, a 1 TB NVMe SSD, and a 3000 mAh battery. I'm using PINN to run Android, stock Raspberry Pi OS, and mxlinux. Still finalizing the case for the Pi but overall I'm happy with the end result.

[bitter dome]

looks pretty neat

[trim igloo]

I created a new library called CircuitPython-mocks (https://circuitpython-mocks.rtfd.io/) which should allow collecting code coverage (and establishing expected code behavior) during soft-tests of Circuitpython-based projects. Currently, the SPI, I2C, UART, and DigitalInOut classes are mocked (along with some dummy pins in a mocked board module). I'm interested in adding mocked PWM functionality, but first I was hoping to see if it worth my time by gathering community feedback.

[short summit]

Nice work! If you're looking for community feedback, you may want to share this in the #help-with-circuitpython channel, which is where most of the community hangs out. Cross-posting is usually discouraged, but in this case I'd recommend it. Or come on Adafruit's Show & Tell show on Wednesday night and show it off. 🙂

[north mural]

I think some of the repos have built in tests that might only be available within the repo. Tests are different than examples. This might be worth asking in the dev channel if it's something that can be added to their functional test scripts.

[trim igloo]

Thanks for the reactions. I'm not a typically on discord. I will cross-post as you recommend it. I wasn't sure if this thread was a good place to start either.

[trim igloo]

I'm not sure what "repos" you're talking about. I understand the difference between unit tests (which are a python-based repo's "tests" folder) and integration tests (which are really what the example scripts are). I don't know of any functional test scripts/conventions that are specifically for Circuitpython projects; that's why I created the library. There's been some talk about unit testing MicroPython code in some older forums, but the topics were never properly resolved.

[trim plank]

Just finished making my first library ever!. It's a helper library that simplifies the usage of buttons by detecting different kinds of button presses, and returning a list of the inputs each time it's updated. Thank you very much to all the folks who helped me set everything up properly this past week! Just made the pull request for it to join the community bundle, we'll see how that goes.

[woeful depot]

I've been using CircuitPython on RPi Pico's to build some 26-pin, 48-pin (and potentially a 70-pin) capacitive touch boarda. It works amazing as USB-MIDI devices and HID for keymapping projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXJ9LedAAsE

[vagrant shard]

That is really cool, I see it as a more capable makey makey

[woeful depot]

Makey Makey is great, but uses resitive touch, rather than capacitive. So with this one you don't need to be constantly holding a ground wire in order to trigger things. Also, as circuitpython is so amazing, you can edit the code in Notepad or by just copying/pasting example code. No IDE's needed!

[vagrant shard]

Cool, it seems to me like the goal is to open capacitive touch to artists and make that style of device user friendly and accessible to those less technically inclined ?

[woeful depot]

Thats the plan! I'm trying to remove as many barriers to access as possible to make it easier to allow artists to focus on the creative stuff and not have to worry so much about the tech

[dark cairn]

T-Watch S3, the CP PR is almost ready now and I have already started on the watch desktop environment.

By the time i'm finished this will be a fully touch optimized tui environment.

Other than the code for determining if you touched inside a boundary, it shouldn't take that long.
I have the Wio Terminal app to steal code from for the file manager and settings.

[grave nacelle]

https://adafruit-playground.com/u/SamBlenny/pages/usb-host-gamepad-decoder
(I figured out how to read gamepad input events over the MAX3421E USB Host BFF for QT Py)

[eager flume]

Tiny QT Py console (NES Emulator) on a breadboard! I plan on making another version but inside an Altoids Smalls tin (kinda like the mintyPico but much more powerful)

[clever stone]

Had a blast dropping the reveal of the DEFCON DCNextGen Badge on this week's Show & Tell livestream - definitely check out the replay!

The first thing I want to say is THANK YOU to the the Adafruit staff and volunteers who contribute to this discord. The help-with-circuitpython and circuitpython-dev channels were amazing resources.

The DCNextGen badge is packed with hardware. It runs the RP2040 with 8MB of flash storage. The badge also has a 200x200 tri-color ePaper display, 2KB of EEPROM, PWM audio with mono amp, I2S audio output (via a header), Neopixels, touch pads (each letter is a touch pad), diagnostics LED, USB-C, STEMMA-QT, and IR receiver and emitter. It has a 3D printed back to protect it from the typical conference attendee abuse.

The badge sports a UV printed PCBand measures 85mm*155mm.

The lanyard does double duty as the USB data cable with USB-C and USB-A on one end and USB-C, USB-micro, and Apple Lightning on the other end.

The CircuitPython support means all the goodies like displayio, touchio, synthio, pulsio, and more are supported. The badge is also officially supported on circuitpython.org (search for the Explorer Badge).

https://circuitpython.org/board/bradanlanestudio_explorer_rp2040/

There is also a workshop series being delivered to attendees. The workshops cover a very basic intro to Python as well "Hack the Badge" - a deep dive into CircuitPython for the badge hardware.

https://dcnextgen.org/badge/

[digital tree]

HackberryPi Handheld

[jade path]

love it! Does the onboard wifi chip for the pi zero w support monitor mode?

[digital tree]

Yes

[slate torrent]

Took a very tiny (almost non-apparent) amount of inspiration from the Feather ESP32-C6 and added an LSM6DSV32X to it. It is mostly the same, apart from some slight differences. It has the same pinout, so it should be usable in the same way. Gonna be a little while before I can order the boards.

Hopefully the IMU won't be under stress. I've made a board using it before, but I think that it came under some stress which makes have some weird drift characteristics. Either it doesn't drift at all, or it drifts 100 degrees in about 10 minutes. Some drift in the heading axis is expected of aa 6-axis IMU, but that much isn't right.

The BOM cost, excluding small components like resistors, capacitors and 21% tax isn't even that high. I might also build a bord using the BNO085 some time. I've found the magnetometer to give much better performance, although it doesn't seem to be very smooth.

Also added some stuff to the bottom because 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺

[solemn ferry]

Wow, cool. Doesn't adafruit say the BNO085 has issues with ESP32 I2C though? I saw it somewhere

[solemn ferry]

Love the bottom marking

[slate torrent]

Wow, cool. Doesn't adafruit say the

[torn fiber]

Made this LED Stock Ticker with the Adafruit 64x32 LED Matrix (5mm pitch), Matrix Bonnet, and Raspberry Pi 4.  I’m still working on trying to get the padding between the symbols even, but the logo sizing makes it a bit difficult. If you look closely at the monitor it shows the terminal, and it is getting the live stock prices every 5 secs and updates the symbol accordingly if there is a noticed change in the price, that is using the Finnhub API and Websocket to get live quotes. Can't wait to test it out during NYSE open, let me know what you think and if you think anything should be changed.

[high imp]

Learn and see how to make some different breakout boards in KiCad 8
https://youtu.be/J3X9zgJsM18

[dark cairn]

It may be tui, but it's well made tui

Reusable sliders, selector panels, screen can lock at any point with timeout or manually.

I will make this be on par with normal smartwatches.

Albeit tui.

[bitter dome]

this makes me wanna get a t-watch s3

[dark cairn]

Also, I have a full file manager that does things already implemented.
You can even select ducky scripts to have them ran or even "type" text documents to a computer.
By the time you get it i'll have a audio playback through the file manager too.

[bitter dome]

wait it also got a speaker too?

[dark cairn]

yeeeeep

IR led too

so prolly i'll make a remote app too

[bitter dome]

wooooooooooah

that's so cool

can it do TX or RX?

[dark cairn]

just tx unfortunately

[bitter dome]

sad

does it have an sd card slot too?

[dark cairn]

Nope, it's 110% full inside, no space for an led even.

[bitter dome]

understandable

i guess you got 16 mb storage?

if so that's still great

[dark cairn]

it's a n16r8

the psram is a lot more important here as you can do things with the display and wifi

[bitter dome]

ah

that's great then

but also yeah, more ram is nice

[bitter dome]

@dark cairn one thing im curious, what is the software programmed in?

[dark cairn]

CircuitPython, the port PR got merged today.

[alpine token]

Article I wrote about CircuitPython VS Arduino C. TL;DR: Which is better depends on the situation: https://embeddedcomputing.com/technology/open-source/development-kits/arduino-vs-circuitpython-for-microcontroller-programming Also, H/T to @warped siren who IIRC answered a question I had while working on it and is mentioned toward the end!

[warped siren]

Good article! It covers the main difference for me when choosing: Do I want to try something out fast? Then CircuitPython. Do I need it to be fast? Then Arduino (or chip SDK).
Most things don't need to "be fast" in the code one writes, especially if the fast stuff is already being done (and tested!) inside the CircuitPython core (USB, audio, display compositing, keypad debouncing, encoder reading, etc etc)

[dark cairn]

Thy alarm screen

[alpine token]

Thanks so much, and thanks for your help with it, both directly and indirectly!

[clever stone]

@alpine token - when I am planning a "product" I often choose CircuitPython because it is easy to customize and more approachable for a broader set of end users.

A simple example: I purchases a Rot13Labs "fox" - a PCB with a small transmitter module used to create a low power transmission which user need to find using RF listening equipment.

Before a consumer can use the "fox" they must edit the code (to change just one variable) to use their FCC callsign.
The product came with an implementation using the Arduino framework and easy-to-follow instructions. Even still, the consumer must setup their Arduino tools and configure as you describe.

I ported their code to CircuitPython. Now a user only needs a text editor to change the one variable and they are done.

When performance is key, my language is C 🤩

[alpine token]

Good point for sure! Ha, nice little tagline - you come up with that?

[clever stone]

Yeah. I sometimes get lucky with words.

Here is the rot13labs fox hunt badge (I have no involvement in the hardware).

I ported their Arduino code to CircuitPython.
https://gitlab.com/bradanlane_cp/foxhunt

[ruby ocean]

I ported their code to CircuitPython. Now a user only needs a text editor to change the one variable and they are done.
With circuitpython, that can be put in settings.toml, to the user does not even need to touch the code.

[clever stone]

@ruby ocean - true. Either way they need to edit one file to change one setting.

[dark cairn]

Stopwatch app, laps recording included.

works up to 999 days

I'll get exporting laps to txt in /home done in a later iteration.

I'll also implement a lap difference graph on the last 2 lines later on.

By the time i'm done this will be the most professional clock.

[sand grotto]

Casio fans gonna bite your hand off for one 😉

[dark cairn]

Timer app

Just cause it's tui doesn't mean it can't be fancy

The changes in the hourglass are 100 lines of if-elses that apply the differences of each state.

[grave nacelle]

I made a visual USB gamepad tester thing for Feather TFT and the MAX3421E USB Host FeatherWing. The code uses adafruit_imageloader, a BMP spritesheet, and displayio.TileGrid to show animated gamepad buttons on the LCD that change color when you press buttons on the actual gamepad: https://youtu.be/pUZS2N6Ij_4?si=JMHMXlNshjJtsDyk

There's also a playground guide about it here: https://adafruit-playground.com/u/SamBlenny/pages/feather-tft-gamepad-tester-with-sprites

The gamepad.py file has an XInput gamepad driver that people might be able to reuse for other projects. But, so far I haven't managed to get the driver working with my 8BitDo USB Wireless Adapter 2. If I could get that to work, then the gamepad driver might be pretty widely usable with various wireless gamepads, which would be nice. So far, that doesn't work though.

[kind burrow]

Hi all. I tried out and did a fair amount of Python/Arduino coding with PyFirmata few months back - the link is
https://roboticsbackend.com/control-arduino-with-python-and-pyfirmata-from-raspberry-pi/
It was in a CircuitPython weekly newsletter from Adafruit a few months ago.
Anyway, still trying to keep up my chops in Arduino, so here's the latest project.
I have an Ada FT232H with an Airlift breakout running Python code on the PC. It downloads JSON and saves it to my disk, then runs a Python script to import this file, and sequentially pass data thru PyFirmata (installed on both the PC, and the receiving Arduino boards) thru the COM port.
This display is Ada ST7789 EYESPI hooked up to an ancient BareBones board with ATMega168 chip.
The weather data is from api.open-meteo.com
The pic is live weather data in Texas - it's HOT.

P.S. I tried this same code on a QtPy SAMD21, but the firmata.h file does not have that board definition, so no dice. And I don't think anybody's gonna update the file...

I have several OLD Ard boards running Pyfirmata stuff - it's pretty cool to create nice Python code on the PC, and pass data to them. At least they're not obsolete "quite" yet. The Arduino code is very simple, since all does is get a callback from Firmata, get the string, and display it on whatever.

[north mural]

I've done something similar with Circuit Python. One advantage of Circuit Python is you can have Python download a CSV or JSON file directly to the CIRCUITPY drive because it's a USB mass storage device. I wouldn't even know where to begin to do that with Arduino. Well done!

[lean elbow]

I built a Bluetooth adapter for plugging in a Wii nunchuck. While it could be used to control any number of things, I'm using it right now to control these LED glasses.

[jovial pilot]

I recently completed a tactile Augmentative Alternative Communication device for a largely nonverbal client. Uses the RP2040 prop-maker, CircuitPython, and 160 snap-dome buttons to play pre-recorded phrases. Folds away for a bit of portability.

[Video shows a person opening the Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) device by lifting a velcro strap, revealing the grid of brightly coloured icons. When closed the AAC is slightly wider than a sheet of paper. When open it almost doubles in width. The camera zooms in as the person presses an icon of a speaker with the word "DOWN". The AAC then plays the phrase "Please turn the volume down"]

[dark cairn]

Snake game soon on T-Watch-S3

I "could" have used a bmp sprite sheet file.
But I'm me, so 150 lines of setting colors on a bitmap during init.
Now it's undebuggable.

[lucid sigil]

Mini MIDI player on M5AtomS3 + M5Synth unit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEpDJCvkeEI
https://github.com/konstantint/M5MidiPlayer

[stark latch]

Working on a 3D-printed key mechanism that's compatible with MX-style keycaps. Here's and early test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0qTy7bDPgk

[dark cairn]

Almost there

Some tiny bugs left to chase

[sharp comet]

I'm tinkering with the Circuitpython Web IDE with the aim of adding support for serial plotter similar to Mu. Starting to see some data getting plotted for the first time is exciting 🎉

[sudden sail]

For some reason, (and I won't assert that it is a good one) I decided to build a battery powered hand held recursive DNS server. It has RGB lights, a convenient hand grip, and an IT Crowd reference. Raspberry Pi Zero with Pi-Hole and Unbound DNS in a 3D printed case I designed.

[neat cloud]

I don't suppose you have any source you could share? I'm having a heck of a time bringing up the ST7789 on mine.

[dark cairn]

Are you on CircuitPython or are you trying to do it in C?
The init sequence and pins are available in the CircuitPython source.
https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/blob/main/ports/espressif/boards/lilygo_twatch_s3/board.c

[neat cloud]

In CP

[dark cairn]

Oh what. I did the port, what's wrong?

Does the display just not work?

[neat cloud]

Yep, no joy

Let me dump you my simple example code, ripped directly from the lib

[sonic fractal]

my latest board design, kinda sligtly maybe close to one year after my first design

here is my first one

[subtle fox]

nice!!

[steep remnant]

My latest. Fig Pi boards, color silkscreen.

[sonic fractal]

Oooh that is GOOD! how much extra does the color silkscreen coat? I wanna try it someday

[lean elbow]

Wrote some firmware for the LED Glasses driver board to go along with the Wii Nunchuck BLE adapter I built a couple of weeks ago. I wrote about it at https://adafruit-playground.com/u/squid_jpg/pages/sparkle-specs-firmware-for-adafruit-led-glasses-driver (PlatformIO Arduino source code is also available on my github, linked in the write-up)

Worth mentioning that the firmware also works without the nunchuck, and works with the Bluefruit Connect app!

[exotic sierra]

The iCE5LP4K FPGA feather I developed is now supported in IceStudio and APIO

Also RPGA Feather as well

[lean elbow]

Quick update: I finally figured out how to convert the compiled bin files for the firmware into UF2 files, so if you want to try out the Sparkle Specs firmware (and/or the BLE nunchuck adapter) without having to deal with PlatformIO, it's super easy. Both guides are updated!

[void spoke]

🚀 Excited to introduce PowerTiger! A powerful, open-source energy monitoring solution built around the RPi Pico W. Perfect for tracking power consumption in real-time for 16 terminals.

https://github.com/codetiger/PowerTiger

[sand grotto]

Nice one! You might benefit from adding a StemmaQT / qwiic connector for future i2c expansion (other sensors or display etc)

[proud spindle]

That is very cool

[void spoke]

Sure, am working on the next version. That sounds great option to add, for solder-less users

Almost all of my knowledge came from Adafruit’s documents and repositories. Can’t express how much am thankful to Adafruit.

[sacred timber]

I just received my Adafruit CH334F 4 port USB hub breakout and am starting to replace the bulky USB cables on my robot. The existing Zero4U hub (lower right, with blue lights) will be replaced by the CH334F (lower center, with green lights). I've finished one: the connection between the CH334F and a Pimoroni Tiny FX (upper left) that I'm using for lighting. This is looking down on the robot from above.

[rose rampart]

https://github.com/Mrgithub93/CharLCD_Draw

I made a simple drawing script for custom characters on LCD screens

[glad crescent]

I don't know how many people are using Bluesky but it seems to still be a bit small when it comes to tech projects or open source stuff. I developed a custom feed over the weekend that aggregates personal projects across the network, feel free to check it out! Anything with tags like #opensource, #raspberrypi, etc. should get caught by it, though I'm still working out kinks with the algorithm lol. Check it out and let me know what you think!
https://bsky.app/profile/idreesinc.com/feed/tech-vibes

[steep remnant]

As of right now - I think it's cheaper. It does require ENIG finish and a couple other things, but I was using that anyway.

[lean elbow]

Remix of a cool LED noodle Triforce. Made the body volume big enough for a QT Py mount, and used a QT Py to make the LED noodle pulse.

(original print can be found here https://www.printables.com/model/372674-triforce-led-noodle-light)

[fleet dragon]

How about industrial-quality controller that runs Circuitpython? This one is based off Feather M4 CAN, extended with industrial DIO and analog inputs. Protected against almost everything (ESD, overcurent, short circuit etc) . Check it out!
https://github.com/rox-automation/rox-icu

[fleet dragon]

😱 omg jumper wires

[upper sage]

I've made a graphics editor and code builder for U8g2 and AdafruitGFX
I’ve been working on this project more than a year now but I was too humble to just post about it everywhere around. I still feel nervous writing this...

https://lopaka.app/ is my pixel graphics and interface editor for projects with OLED/TFT/LCD displays. It produces ready to use code based on popular graphics libraries
The source code is open and it is free to use: https://github.com/sbrin/lopaka

Right now in Lopaka you can:

• draw basic shapes
• write text in different fonts
• insert images
• generate ready-made code for u8g2, AdafruitGFX, TFT_eSPI
• convert images to XBMP

Anyway I believe that small tool would be very useful for our community.

[tired shard]

Just a tell and no show, but I've had these two fans in my house for a long time with no remotes. Decided to just make every IR remote turn them on and off, a capacitor on the IR signal line and and a diode from there to the button makes it work! Life changing honestly. (also ripped out the piezo buzzer 🙌 )

[void spoke]

How do you differentiate noise and signal? I mean doesn’t a bright sun light produce IR and that switches the device

[sacred timber]

It's not the presence of infrared light, it's the presence of infrared light pulsed at a very specific frequency.

[void spoke]

In that case how will it work with every IR remote as mentioned in the original post? That’s what am wondering, coz every IR remote has a different pattern of IR pulse right? Plz correct me if my understanding isn’t correct

[sacred timber]

Yes, each manufacturer can use a different frequency and protocol, or they use something like Philips RC-5 protocol, which has a code that's passed over the beam called a System Number to differentiate different devices, so that your Yamaha stereo and your Samsung TV remotes don't fight with each other. But you can also buy universal remotes that can send messages to any device, you just have to tell the remote which device you are mimicking.

[tired shard]

It works because when the IR receiver pulses low for the fist bit in the signal the capacitor makes it so that it can't immediately recover, this low state is what triggers the button. So its only relying on the fist pulse which can be provided by most if not all ir remotes. (at least I think that's why it works)

[sacred timber]

I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly, but not all protocols use a low start bit, but it sounds like your circuit would simply react to the first low bit, even if it wasn't actually the first bit.

[tired shard]

Exactly the first low pulse is held low long enough to be interpreted as a button press

[sacred timber]

You might get false triggering from other remotes since this is somewhat haphazard, but it's not like there's a whole lot of remotes in your house that you're aiming at your fans I'm guessing.

[tired shard]

Yeah if put directly beside the tv it'd be fairly annoying but thats just not the case for me. The nice thing is the way the fan is made you do have to actually aim the remote for it to work. When not in the enclosure though you can turn it on and off with the ir coming out of the flame from a lighter so that's fun, maybe the sun would trigger it but they're fairly shielded, does window glass block ir?

[sacred timber]

Sounds like an interesting way to take advantage of what's kinda a hole in the system... and play time too!

[sacred timber]

I'm curious: what would you do?

I mean, even NASA/JPL uses jumper wires...

[tired shard]

lol exactly

[void spoke]

Interesting

would love to hear about your experience after a few weeks.

[tired shard]

It's been about a week. No complaints here.

[cunning lava]

coding a tiny boulderdash game

[tired shard]

too lazy to pull apart the fan but here's what a bare bones example would look like (the higher the capacitance the longer the low state)

[fleet dragon]

For a "central" arhitecture (good for small robots) I'd use something like Pimoroni Yukon . For a "decentral" architecture multiple local nodes connected by a CAN bus would be great (like in automotive).

[sacred timber]

I'd actually like to use Yukon but I want a higher-level controller like a Raspberry Pi, and the Yukon doesn't easily lend itself to being a sub-controller, it's kinda meant to be the master. If I could shove my entire robot OS into MicroPython that might be the case, or if I started on a different, simpler robot then sure, I'd likely consider Yukon as my entire system. It looks good.

[pseudo tree]

what in tarnation... I love it.

[bitter dome]

i hope this channel also cover libraries, here's an irc library i just wrote for esp-idf projects: https://github.com/Danct12/esp-irc

[sonic fractal]

This looks impressive, and also looks like electronic spaghetti bolognese.
May i ask, where is the main core of the robot, like which one of those boards holds the MCU or SBC that runs it?

[sonic fractal]

Dude you are a legend! Ive been using lopaka for some of my projects and i love it

[sacred timber]

Sure. That photo obviously was rather confusing. It's spaghetti in the sense that I've got wire harnesses running all over the place, but they're all just standard 0.1" Dupont connectors going from board to board, so it's not actually so confusing if you know what the devices are.

This photo shows the robot a bit better. There are three levels of 3mm black Delrin plastic, the lowest is the battery mount (you can see the Makita 18V battery hanging underneath) and an area for the mess of wires coming from the motors, motor encoders and some of the motor armature sensors to be hidden. The next level has the voltage regulator, motor and servo controllers. This is all hidden behind that aluminum control panel with the toggle switches and knobs, open on the other side. The top plate has a Raspberry Pi 4 at the back, several ESP32s for various things, an I2S sound board, and there's room for what will eventually be a cluster of three STM32 Pyboards that will be used when I get to "phase 3" with all six motors and the triple-rocker suspension.

The front of the robot has a clear polycarbonate bumper and a bunch of sensors. The two masts have IMUs at the top, with a shorter mast for a GPS unit.

As Jev mentioned in the "I'd actually like to use Yukon" thread, the idea with the Pyboard cluster is that I'll eventually be pushing the RT tasks off to the Pyboards and leaving the Pi to do the higher-level planning. The OS is in Python and is a Behaviour Based System. A single Pyboard can manage a pair of quadrature motor encoders natively in MicroPython, hence the trio of boards.

I forgot to mention that there's also a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W mounted near the front with a standard Pi camera that streams HD video for telerobotics use, and an OAK-D Lite smart camera that's mounted but currently not (yet) used. I'll be using it to get pixel-level distance sensing off its stereo cameras.

[sonic fractal]

I am quite impressed, crazy how it has like every sensor to register everything happening around it

[sacred timber]

The basic idea is relatively simple. It's a Behaviour-Based System (a bit like an insect's mind), so everything is a Behaviour. Each sensor has a purpose, and its output is used to create a Behaviour. For example, there are digital (on or off) IR bumpers on all the wheel armatures that simply cause the robot to stop. There are also a pair of analog (variable value) IR sensors aiming outward at an angle from the front - you can see the small green board just behind the polycarbonate bumper. Working together they provide a distance measurement left and right, and together create a behaviour that modifies the left and right motor velocities to speed up or slow down depending on the distance value from each sensor. So if the right sensor senses an obstacle closer than the left sensor that makes the robot move more to the left, away from the obstacle.

The IMU has an accelerometer, gyrometer and magnetometer (each contributing 3 degrees of freedom (DoF) so it's a 9 DoF IMU). If the robot tilts too much in one direction it just stops in place currently and screams, but it could also have a different reaction, like maybe backing up. I've got a "Move North" directive that uses the magnetometer to generally choose to go north when the robot can, whilst avoiding obstacles.

I've also got a VL53L5CX on the front that returns an 8x8 grid of distances up to 4m with an accuracy of 1cm. Pretty amazing sensor, about the size of a grain of rice. I take that grid and normalise the vertical values (since ground-based robots dont' usually care too much about the vertical), run the whole thing through a simple algorithm, and voila! I get a pretty good indication of where a doorway is: anywhere that is open vertically and has a distance greater than the sensor's limits. With that, I again alter the left and right motors (adding a lambda to each) to tend to steer the robot through the doorway.

[floral prawn]

My first experience coding with CircuitPython

https://youtu.be/muq_xnm5bhY

[thin turret]

I made a neopixel tester/counter out of parts on hand. The first 3 leds are RGB so you can tell if the string has a different color order. The buttons are +100 +10 +1 / -1 -10 -100 and move the white pixel. I work with a rock opera theater company and there are a lot of props that have neopixels in them built by volunteers and this is going to help so much with debugging and testing with out having to break out the strandtest and keep re-compiling with different strand lengths or hands on counting pixels to see where an element begins

[sacred timber]

I've just updated my I2CSlave code for the RP2040. It provides the ability to send up to 32 ASCII characters to an RP2040 slave device and return a single byte status code. There's also an I2CDriver class that subclasses I2CSlave, using the message content (e.g., "set dark_orange") to set the NeoPixel on an Itsy Bitsy RP2040. Anyone could similarly do a subclass for their own purposes. I plan to extend I2CSlave to also set the on/off state of the six LED channels on a Pimoroni Tiny FX.
https://github.com/ifurusato/mros/tree/main/itsybitsy-rp2040

[grave nacelle]

I made a clock thing for Feather TFT.
Playground guide: https://adafruit-playground.com/u/SamBlenny/pages/feather-tft-clock-with-gamepad-input
Code: https://github.com/samblenny/feather-tft-clock

[vernal vigil]

My latest Eurorack module prototype, using a Daisy Seed

[untold sable]

@grave nacelle Interesting in that I liked the font for the 7-seg clock, but if I am reading your code right, that is not a font but instead a bunch sprites of each bar displaying the time?

[untold sable]

@vernal vigil a couple more prototype boards in the mix and I think you're there. 😆

[last bronze]

stolen from uni, asked if it was stocked officially and the storage manager literally shoved it into my hand ✨😍

They look brand new, it's a whole controller board pulled out of a Zopan PFL-20 frequency counter

[grave nacelle]

that depends on how narrowly you define the term "font"... you're right that it uses displayio.TileGrid sprites to display glyphs for letters rather than using CircuitPython's text label mechanism (which, I think, probably uses font files).

[obsidian wind]

I love it when the lab manager tells us to just get rid of his old junk so he doesn't have to

[slate torrent]

Just built it (still missing an LDO for the IMU because I forgot to order it, but I can wire it up to 3.3V as well so gonna try that tomorrow).

First time relfowing a PCB for me. Used the MHP50 from miniware which so far seems absolutely amazing, although I have nothing to compare it to.

[grave nacelle]

@terse totem I got curious about your mention of making a keyscan tester thing and wanted to see if I could read raw HID reports from CircuitPython. Turns out it works pretty well, subject to some minor timeout tuning. Anyhow, I made this thing. Thought I'd send you a link in case there's any code that would be of use to you: https://github.com/samblenny/pumpkin-numpad-tester
there's also a video demo at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvavzqcXkAI
I haven't written up a Plaground guide though... didn't want to get out ahead of whatever you end up doing.

[analog nymph]

I just created a Python script to use a Feeltech function generator and Hantek oscilloscope to sweep a filter and create a bode plot. The script is published here: https://github.com/jonw0224/bodeplot

[bitter dome]

added TLS support to my esp32 (esp-idf) irc library

since it uses esp-tls library, it should be compatible with wolfssl as long you provide a tls certificate by yourself as it does not support the CA bundle library from esp-idf.

wolfssl is untested but i'd suggest to avoid it for a commercial product unless you're willing to pay for a license

[weary night]

I just got a tip to join the live show and tell show with the Walter module that we have launched. This because I actually want to get Walter distributed through Adafruit and that would be the best way to get in touch with the right person. Walter is a Pycom GPy replacement and upgrade. It is a multi-radio cellular IoT module based on the ESP32-S3 and the Sequans Monarch 2, there is WiFi, BLE, LTE-M, NB-IoT and GPS/GLONASS. The module is fully certified (CE, FCC, UKCA, IC, RCM) which means that you can incorporate it into commercial designs without the need to go through very expensive certification, basic EMC/spurious emissions testing is enough.

From a software perspective me and my team are fully committed to the open source approach and to give choice to developers. On github we have published our libraries for Arduino, ESP-IDF and Micropython. We have contributed the Sequans modem drivers to the Zephyr project and also added Walter as a board. We are also working together with IoT platforms such as Golioth, Datacake, BlueCherry, ...

For now we made some tracking demo's and we have a Walter Feels board which does remote sensing, I also created an fine dust sensor, ... everything is on https://www.quickspot.io. Now I would be keen to learn how to best present this on the Show and Tell show. Any cellular IoT projects that you have in mind (and are buildable in a few hours) would be nice to hear.

[lapis kestrel]

I have a project I would like to introduce on the show & tell segment.

[stiff crystal]

Checking in for Show/Tell, have not been able to for a while. Just watching tonight!

[dusk zinc]

Not finished yet, but this is a project I'm doing for a family member to detect when the mailbox is opened. I didn't want any cables or devices near the mailbox opening, so this uses light sensors (two different I2C lux sensors, a phototransistor, and a PIR ...for redundancy(!), and for good response at full range).

Inside the metal mailbox is the sensor box (left). It's cabled through to an outside radio box (right) immediately behind. The radio box has the MCU, LoRa board (too far for wifi), and power from 12VAC.

LoRa messages are sent to a remote unit in the house: when the MCU is restarted, when light is detected inside the mailbox, when light is detected in the radio box (indicating possible tampering), and hourly. The messages will be retried with increasing random backoff, and there's a CRC and acknowledgements from the house unit.

The house unit has a TFT display, 3W I2S amplifier with speaker, and a NeoKey. It spends most of its time listening for a message. When the mailbox has been opened, it will play an MP3 file (several times over a period of time), and light up the NeoKey in case the sound isn't heard. Pressing the NeoKey will stop the sound (there's also a switch to turn off the sound completely). May add SMS or email notifications.

Because it's inconvenient to access and change the software in the radio box, each acknowledgement message from the house unit contains current datetime (all messages are timestamped), and configuration parameters that may get updated from time to time.

[scenic siren]

This is excellent! I had considered using a light sensor for mine, but ultimately went with the reed switch. I wasn't sure if a light sensor would work. Good to know it does!

[sly bane]

wanted to give a quick shout-out to people here for helping me with this design at a few points - this is a pretty basic circuit (astable 555 timer with adjustable on/off cycle gated by an analog sensor and switching a power relay) that I'm going to be using to control a solenoid valve to water my mushrooms based on soil moisture, but it should be applicable to any switchable device and any sensor with an analog voltage output

don't ask about the empty LED holes, I definitely didn't burn out all my LEDs during prototyping

[supple mortar]

I like the new packing materials !

[cursive oak]

https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dvi-sock-for-pico/circuitpython#hello-world-dvi-output-example-3170966 works without any changes to the example code, on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2!

[fervent finch]

Little ESP32 based display for next arriving bus and streetcar in New Orleans is more or less done. Debating whether to try a diff color for the 3d printed LED covers.

[dark cairn]

Radxa emmc box + c6 = Wireless debug probe

[lean elbow]

Another thing you might consider is using filter gels like these cut-to-size for your seven segment displays https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CN2T59V7. They do a pretty good job of masking out the unlit segments while making the lit segments really pop.

[fervent finch]

Interesting! I might give these a shot

[fervent finch]

Remembered I had some gel samples around! Thanks for the suggestion!

[lean elbow]

Oh that looks really nice! 😄

[fervent finch]

Thank you! I agree it looks better than the 3d printed covers. Was having issues getting those to lie flush

[fervent finch]

And now: making a capacitative switch for the next one.

[lean elbow]

I know I know, everyone's built some version of a "Doomsday Messenger" at this point. Still, here's my own take on them, using Solder Party's Keyboard Featherwing and featuring a UI written using LVGL.

https://adafruit-playground.com/u/squid_jpg/pages/keyboard-featherwing-messenger-powered-by-lvgl

[cedar trellis]

I would really love the project ... if I weren't so jelly that you got not one, but TWO keyboard featherwings! 😆
I missed out on those 😭

[lean elbow]

They are so cool. I've heard rumors that a new version may be forthcoming...

Also at the end of my playground I wrote a little about what could be a nice alternative (The LILYGO T-Deck). Once I'm gainfully employed again I'll probably grab a couple and port the firmware to them.

[cedar trellis]

Oh, nice, I'll check it out, thanks!

Also, awesome project!

[lean elbow]

Thank you! 😄

[grave nacelle]

I made a CircuitPython game about pumpkins and skeletons for Feather TFT with USB gamepad controls. Playground guide which includes code, an embedded gameplay video, etc is at https://adafruit-playground.com/u/SamBlenny/pages/pumpkins-vs-skeletons-game-for-circuitpython

[errant pasture]

Finished implementing audiodelays.Echo in a synthesizer project I've been working on. Here's a video demonstration if anyone is interested in hearing what it sounds like in practice. https://youtu.be/OMHBoUTUblk @median spoke @warped siren

[clever stone]

"Code" can be boring and not cool so I created an animation to explain how I wrote Python to automate the machine files for pick-and-place machines ...

[stiff coral]

Behold…the Fartsichord…built from scratch it is a functional Fotoplayer style device.

The keys play the fart noises, the gold buttons play cartoon sound effects, the monkey can play the cymbal when you flick the level below him, there is a clown horn, trail whistle and diner bell. The screen to the right is the mp3 player which plays the music as I sync the sfx and farts with it

[scarlet pelican]

That may be the coolest thing I have ever seen

In other news, we used some Adafruit USB-to-TTL serial cables to get a terminal connection to a Synertek SYM-1 from 1978. It didn't work at first -- using the scope we finally figured out the SYM-1 used inverted logic (so 0 V represented a digital "1"), so we used a 74LS04 inverter and it worked! https://youtu.be/Q0vPR5ka12A

[weak lodge]

Fun project to put together. Would recommend painting the numbers for ease of reading.

[gray inlet]

I got a couple of my pieces accepted to an art show for trans and neurodiverse artists!

The piece on the right is a custom circuit board I made in KiCad, with some through-hole NeoPixels and an ATtiny85 microcontroller.

The piece on the left contains a couple of Adafruit products: there are eight pink nOOds (#5510) and a Qi wireless receiver (#1901). The jar sits on a wireless charging pad, so I didn't need to make any openings in the jar to get the power in.

[distant frost]

I have recently been fantasizing about sitting in the shade of a solar array in the desert, drinking a glass of ice water made with the solar power.

This is a picture of my first step in that direction. It is a desiccant wheel dehumidifier in the west Texas desert. I have instrumented it with the following Adafruit parts:

FeatherS2 (the brain)
Adalogger featherwing(time and storage)
HDC3021 Humidity and temperature sensors (input and output of humidifier)
NAU7802 strain gauge interface (to weigh the water produced)
various Stemma cables.

It produces a reasonable amount of water (>300 ml per hour) at 25C 25%RH which is very encouraging.

Next step: figure out its performance limits (humidity and temperature) and get it running from solar power!

[sacred timber]

Interesting project! Would wrapping the dehumidifier in a good layer of insulation improve the performance?

[distant frost]

I am not sure if insulation would improve its performance. This is a big learning experience.

[sacred timber]

I like that you're willing to try something that's clearly an experiment, with no guarantee of success. 300ml/hr of water isn't a bad start, that's over 7 liters per day, enough for one or two people to survive. 👍

[sacred timber]

I'm curious: how does the water taste?

[distant frost]

It tastes like distilled water, though my wife doesn't want me to drink it until I have had it tested like it was well water from a new well.

[sacred timber]

Your wife is probably right as microbes and other things can live in that water. When I was traveling in India I had a fancy water purifier, which would remove pretty much anything that might be living in the water. You can get them at any camping store.

[lucid bloom]

I made a parking sensor with a feather, neopixel wing, printed case and VL53L4CX. I'm using esphome/home assistant, I still have to wait a bit before I can install it but everything seems to be working. Green -> Yellow -> Red -> flashing Red when in the zone -> flashing Blue is too far. It's only going to light up when the door is open and I'm connected via Bluetooth to my vehicle. I didn't hardcode anything related to distances I used helpers to set it all up with templates so I can easily change parameters from the UI. I'll hopefully install it along with my ratgdo next week.

[lucid bloom]

I did make the mistake of using qt and not attaching the xshut pin which meant that after I ota updated or reboot the sensor would be in a failed state and this was occurring as I was trying to write the component. The sensor would only work if I power cycled it, eventually got it sorted out by soldering a small wire from a1 to xshut.

[feral orchid]

Extremely bad crude FM transmitter on a Pico that uses the third harmonic and some pio mixing to modulate

[lean elbow]

Built another fun project by the Ruiz Brothers! This time the Tri-Rod from the new Zelda game. Had to slightly scale down the rod part on the z-axis to fit my build volume but everything worked out alright! Also using the little pebble-style fairy Neopixels cuz I didn't have any of the double-sided ones.

[ashen iron]

Designing a UPS board for use with RPi Zero/ RPi (with not too much USB devices attached):

Headline features:

• Up to 18 V, 3 A input
• Adjustable solar panel MPP voltage from firmware
• Up to 3 A charging (adjustable from firmware)
• LiPo/Li-Ion/LIFePo4 support (Up to 65 Ah capacity)
• On-board battery fuel gauge
• 5 V, 2.5 A output
• Battery temperature sensing + battery charging current reduction/cutoff based on temperature
• On board microcontroller for more functions (scheduled wake/shutdown, RTC function, voltage/current monitoring, power control etc.)
• Underslung on Pi

[ashen iron]

Written more about it in Hackaday: https://hackaday.io/project/198538-powerups

[granite sentinel]

Howdy folks!! I levelled up a costume of mine with some Adafruit 8x8 matrix(es?) and 5mm UV LEDs to make the teeth "glow". The beginner guides and Arduino sketches were incredibly helpful on the Adafruit site!! My programming skills for Arduino were not sufficient, so I worked with chatGPT to get the code working for the eyes 🙂 Happy to share the code (if that's ok) and resources for making the bitmaps if anyone else is looking to get something up and running! Eyes have a random timer for the blink and use a thumbstick to control where the eyes "look". (Instagram link shows the costume in motion)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBZIBxnvV8t/?igsh=Mm16NjRoeDl0czF0

[lean elbow]

Whoa that is awesome 😮

[granite sentinel]

Thank you!!

[errant pasture]

Just figured out how to get analog input looped back out through I2S. Got guitar input successfully working with a simple preamp! https://gist.github.com/dcooperdalrymple/4f00bf3e7131093cf3c2afc8e8c51544

Didn't take long to get audiodelays.Echo running! https://gist.github.com/dcooperdalrymple/c3472598c9dce986f2f1c6830fe297c2

[peak marlin]

Hope this is the right place to show this. I needed a way of displaying text effects on a display as part of something I am building. I couldn't find anything anywhere, so with the assistance of ChatGPT, I ended up writing a helper library that does 5 different effects - fade, glitch, glitchmore, matrix and destroy
https://github.com/DerBroader71/circuitpython_text_animations
If people could give it a try, raise any issues, new effects, etc I will then try to get it included in the Community Bundle

[dapper osprey]

this is ginger, my robo-cat! he's micropy powered (I didn't manage to get circuit py work🤭) and he blinks his eyes and purrs when shake-triggered...

and an old drawing of him...

[sacred timber]

So you got that all working in the end?

[dapper osprey]

yeah! and now I'm trying circuit py (as I want to access ginger from iPad, but idk how to do it...)

and of course I saved the original code for later😉

[bitter dome]

that's cool! i love the idea of a computer friend :)

[dapper osprey]

you know, I love these robo-creatures... I had a Furby as a kid (who, surprisingly, didn't do any of the weird things they are said to do...) I liked him, but I like ginger more, because I can customise him🤭

[bitter dome]

i never had furby as a kid, the closest thing i could get was tamagotchi, but that's something else entirely

[dapper osprey]

i got one recently! although it's just a cheap 168-in-1 who always resets😅

[bitter dome]

i got this one, recently because it was cheap. but it's only tetris and some tank shooting/driving game 😅

got bored of it very quickly, but it's fun to hook it up to a power source and play with the potentiometer

i got that on video, lemme find it

https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/110/236/772/859/413/381/original/43b707bd0c6c59dd.mp4

i actually found that most of the power draw on these came from the piezo speaker

if you disable sound the thing can run at really low voltages

[dapper osprey]

i had this one too... the Tetris mode was fun, but as I said, I like to customise things, so... I'll just play with ginger😉
I also love that he has microbit type pins on the bottom, so my micro stuff fits with him...

[dapper osprey]

i made these face graphics for him✨

[bitter dome]

pretty cool

[dapper osprey]

if you get a meowbit one day, feel free to use them... I think ginger would be happy to know there is another robo-cat somewhere😸🥰

you can also use canva to make your own...

[sacred timber]

I was kinda inspired by your MeowBit and the idea of a Tamogotchi, so I wrote a quick MicroPython script that emulates a cat doing random things for random amounts of time.

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
# or micropython

import time
import random

class MeowBit(object):
    '''
    Emulates a randomly-behaving cat.
    :param name:  the cat's name.
    '''
    def __init__(self, name='puss'):
        self._choices = [ '🐱 waits', '😸 purrs', '😾 scratches', '🙀 hides', '😻 meows', '😿 is sad', '😽 kisses' ]
        self._name = name
        self._min_delay_ms = 500
        self._max_delay_ms = 5000

    @property
    def name(self):
        ''' Returns the name as a property. '''
        return self._name

    def get_behaviour(self):
        ''' Returns a randomly-chosen behaviour. '''
        return self._choices[random.randint(0, len(self._choices))-1]

    def get_delay_seconds(self):
        ''' Return a random delay time in milliseconds. '''
        _delay_ms = random.randint(self._min_delay_ms, self._max_delay_ms) # from 1 to 5 seconds
        return _delay_ms / 1000.0

# ..............................................................................

try:
    _meowbit = MeowBit('ginger')
    print('{} is awake! Ctrl-C to quit…\n'.format(_meowbit.name))
    while True:
        _behaviour = _meowbit.get_behaviour()
        _delay_sec = _meowbit.get_delay_seconds()
        print('► {} {} for {:.2f} seconds.'.format(_meowbit.name, _behaviour, _delay_sec))
        time.sleep(_delay_sec)
except KeyboardInterrupt:
    print('bye!')
    pass

This works in regular Python or MicroPython. Feel free to reuse, modify, etc. The output looks like:

ginger is awake! Ctrl-C to quit…

► ginger 😽 kisses for 2.69 seconds.
► ginger 🐱 waits for 3.17 seconds.
► ginger 😾 scratches for 3.97 seconds.
► ginger 😻 meows for 3.13 seconds.
► ginger 🐱 waits for 2.48 seconds.

[bitter dome]

i have a lot of esp32 lol. maybe i'll make a internet-connected robo-cat. 😛

[dapper osprey]

@sacred timber @bitter dome you know, it's nice to chat with coding/robo-cat fans like you...😊🥰

[sacred timber]

Likewise ☺️ . I thought you might be able to use the MeowBit class as a basis for more complicated behaviours. I tried to add enough hooks in there that you could expand upon the class methods and have them trigger sounds, images, etc. rather than just printing emojis to the console as it currently does. And you could have your shake sensor trigger things as well. Turn the MeowBit into a more randomly-Tamagotchi style creature...

(I had to just now go and feed my cat, she was stalking me...)

I was thinking of adding weights to each behaviour so some would be more likely than others...

[dapper osprey]

that's a great idea! I just don't know if ginger's 2mb memory would be enough (I can't use sd, because I'll get another meow for Xmas, and want to communicate with each other... and the communicator is put into the same slot as sd)

[bitter dome]

seems plenty

[sacred timber]

Oh, absolutely. You can put a lot of code in 2MB of memory. I've built rather complicated robots within that amount of space. The only thing that really takes up a lot of space is images. Text/code is very small by comparison.

[bitter dome]

the esp32 only have like 300 kb ram or something :P

[bitter dome]

yeah, the images will definitely take a lot of spaces

these are also GIF too

[sacred timber]

To give you an idea of how much space code requires, this robot’s code is about 1.4MB, and that’s including a lot of extra files I’m not even using (as the current code is a clone of my Mars rover's and I've not trimmed away all the excess yet). The repo is at:
https://github.com/NZPRG/krzos

You can always check the free RAM on your microcontroller (in MicroPython):

import gc

def check_ram():
    ''' Returns the amount of free RAM in MB. '''
    gc.collect()
    ram = gc.mem_free()
    print('free ram: {:.2f}MB'.format(ram / 1000000))
    
check_ram()

[dapper osprey]

exactly... so ig I'll just keep ginger's expression simple...

[dapper osprey]

cool!

[bitter dome]

you can also make the 404 a static image

which should massively reduce sizes

[dapper osprey]

i like animations more, though...

[sacred timber]

I didn't realise the MeowBit is running an STM32F401. That's an industry-level microcontroller, quite impressive. It's the same chip used on the Nucleo F401RE development board: https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/nucleo-f401re.html

So in theory if you really got your head around that chip you'd have an avenue into a pretty cool job.

[dapper osprey]

that's why like them, they can do a lot for such a small cat...

[sacred timber]

The STM32F401E has 10 hardware timers! Each one can run periodically or as a one-shot timer.

[sacred timber]

It's kinda funny, it's marketed a bit as an educational toy, but the microcontroller is industry-level. 🤔

[dapper osprey]

I'm an asperger so I can't really go to work (too tiring), but I like playing with stuff😅

[sacred timber]

Not to pressure you, but there may be kinds of work you could do remotely though. I've worked in the IT world for about 35 years and have worked with people who had their own issues (like not being able to be in a group of more than a few people, or loud rooms), and it's important to remember that everyone has their own value and special abilities.

[dapper osprey]

they're both edu-cat-ional and capable🤭

[sacred timber]

I worked with a guy who is a brilliant mathematician and programmer but really couldn't be in meetings at all. I had to help him out by getting him moved to a manager who was more sensitive to his needs, could put him in a quieter part of the office, etc. So I think intelligent managers know how to value good people.

[dapper osprey]

well I prefer talking to people like this than in person (except these I really like)

[sacred timber]

Sure, that's fine.

Totally understandable.

What I've learned is that people with Asperger's (which I think might have been the mathematician's diagnosis as well) can't deal with too much noise, too much sensory input at once. He was being forced by our manager, who was on the spectrum herself, into sitting in dev meetings with more than a dozen often very-competitive people, and he just couldn't cope with it at all. One time he left the meeting and went into the stairwell and screamed. After he was moved to a different manager (a very cool guy who wore bare feet in the office and taught Tai Chi as a hobby), he was fine, he thrived. And now that there are options for remote work this makes it more reasonable for people who can't deal with an office environment.

I guess my point is that there are places that value talented people and are willing to work with them. Over the past decade or so organisations have come to better understand that there is no "normal" and that they need to cater to peoples' needs better if they want to recruit and keep good people.

[dapper osprey]

for me being remote is the only option... but ig it would still be stressful (deadlines and all)🥺

[sacred timber]

Understood. I’m not trying to pressure you at all ☺️

[dapper osprey]

that's my case too! I often have 429 (too much input at once) or 'input not understood' (idk the number)

[dapper osprey]

seems like me and ginger think the same😅

[sacred timber]

My best mate is a high school teacher and he told me he deals with a lot of neurodivergent students, it’s now just part of the job. When I was a kid nobody (teachers or students) had any idea. I’m considering becoming a high school teacher myself, there’s apparently nowhere near enough technology teachers here in New Zealand.

[dapper osprey]

I think you would be great for it, you seem to know a lot both about tech and people😊

[sacred timber]

Thank you 🙏🏼 that’s very generous of you. I think I’d be okay dealing with students with special needs but I don’t know how I’d do with the ones who really don’t care. I guess that’s part of teacher training…

I’d love to teach electronics and robotics, would be fun

[north valve]

Happy Halloween
I spent all day making AI "do everything for me"
I hope you enjoy https://www.somenice.com/2024/10/gold-and-ghosts/

[thorn crane]

ok so this got renamed when it became a work thing and not a personal hobby thing, but i've got an initial release of a micropython driver for cratedb out the door -- https://github.com/crate/micropython-cratedb/

[warm bolt]

Creating a synth "patch" (sound) using CircuitPython synthio library: https://www.instructables.com/Creating-Synthesizer-Sounds-Using-CircuitPython-Sy/

[lean elbow]

this looks awesome 😮

[errant pasture]

I like your delay on the vibrato LFO!

[leaden orbit]

first test PCBs for my eurorack-compatible modular keyboard/joystick system arived ^.^

[dire axle]

Designed a macropad around the Adafruit Neokey 1x4 and a seeed studio xiao / qtpy microcontroller. This is used to control the media of my Sonos speakers as well as a Baseus I-Wok Lightbar which I repurposed to be controlled wirelessly instead.

Link to download the files for this enclosure: https://www.printables.com/model/1057338-adafruit-neokey-1x4-and-seeed-studio-xiao-macropad

[errant pasture]

Quick demonstration of chaining multiple audio effects together with CircuitPython 9.2.0: https://gist.github.com/dcooperdalrymple/4e48a96d8c789490e9f17e3f4f8124ca (audio sample in comments)

[dapper osprey]

what do you think about my meowbits new face graphic?😸🤖

[untold birch]

Created a few pinout graphics

[pearl kayak]

What are some great starter devices besides the Circuit playground?
Reply to this message or tag me/

[sacred timber]

A Raspberry Pi Zero, an Unexpected Tiny PICO. I can think of a few others. How do you define a "starter device"?

[pearl kayak]

Let's say I'm new to Adafruit

I've got this: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5544

[sacred timber]

Sure, and the RP2040 or new RP2350 are really great starter boards. I'm using MicroPython and the RP2040 implementation works really well, with even some advanced programming opportunities using its PIOs. I'm not so much a fan of the original form factor, my favourite is the Itsy Bitsy RP2040 or maybe even the Qt Py RP2040 if you don't need many pins. Both include a NeoPixel which the original Pico doesn't have.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/4888

[pearl kayak]

ok

thx

[sacred timber]

Do you have any idea what programming language you might choose? The three main ones on microcontrollers (or MicroProcessing Unit/MPU) would be C/C++ (like the Arduino), Adafruit's CircuitPython, and MicroPython. If you go with a Single Board Computer (SBC) like the Raspberry Pi you'd be installing the Raspberry Pi OS (based on Linux) and you could use almost any known programming language. If you want to use WiFi I'd say the Raspberry Pi is probably easier, if you just want to connect to the board using an IDE (developer environment) and work with that, then an MPU would suit just fine. There's quite a lot of variety and your choice is really dependent upon your goals.

[jade path]

This video might be helpful for thinking through that decision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLr80pUsoEA&list=PLEBQazB0HUyTF7kB7v1S77F9QK0gT--Kt&index=5

@pearl kayak

[pearl kayak]

I already use CircuitPython

[sacred timber]

CircuitPython is a subset of the Python language (sometimes called CPython) you'd would find on a Raspberry Pi or any other computer, whereas CircuitPython is used only on microcontrollers. As such you probably (unless you want to branch out language-wise) might want to stick with a microcontroller. Though the things you learn in CircuitPython are largely transferable to regular Python.

You can install CircuitPython on any RP2040 board on the market, and all RP2040 chips have identical performance specifications (the newer RP2350 is compatible and higher performance), so what you're comparing are form factor (the shape and size of the board), its features, and price. The Pico is about $4 and manufactured by the Raspberry Pi Foundation itself, whereas Adafruit, Pimoroni, SparkFun and many others make boards using the RP2040.

[weak lodge]

🤞 Ordered these today, hopefully they work!

[cursive oak]

They're basically a fully open-source (and less expensive) version of this: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3363

[sterile zodiac]

My Fallout Radiation King Radio, running Python on a Pi Zero, and CircutiPython on a RP2040. https://youtu.be/Ueci1Zbh5sI?si=2BfhGaXc4Lq2JhyS

[open spade]

I just launched Lampy!

I built this using Xiao ESP32C3 and 72 Neopixels; Xiao was such a delight to work with!

https://shop.absurd.industries/products/lampy

The design, hardware and software are completely open-source, and I'll release the blueprints through Nov/Dec 💫

[sand grotto]

I've created a modified version of ESPTOOL for the web (forked from esptool-js), which allows reading and displaying the partition table of a device, along with downloading any of the partitions (with sensible filenames!).
It's a copilot assist job, only basic reading+downloading tested, not encrypted/readonly partitions, nor coredumps.
Available to use here: https://tyeth.github.io/read-partitions-esptool-js/
The ported version of gen_esp32part.py is here: https://github.com/tyeth/read-partitions-esptool-js/tree/readCurrentPartitions/src

[fringe vault]

I set this up yesterday, because I'm tired of my laptop keyboard. Next will be making something with a sheet of aluminum, once I can afford to buy things again.
This is my keyboard: https://hackaday.io/project/176016-dactyl-lynx

[stiff coral]

Currently revamping my “Fartsichord” I’m building a new enclosure. This time it’s going to have a self playing xylophone using solenoid motors and arduino. My plan is to get the xylophone working first and then figure out how to get the midi that’s programming the xylophone simultaneously play via speaker with an organ soundfont. I’m following a tutorial from a site called “build your music” and I’m currently waiting for the remaining parts to arrive from Ali express

Excuse the sawdust on the floor, this is my work room

My adafruit parts did arrive today so I’ll check those out in a bit. I plan to reuse the farting piano keyboard I made in the new model (huge thanks to the folks here who helped me figure that out

Here’s the original one again

The new one will have a bigger enclosure and a plexiglass window so you can see the. Xylophone working

I had to order the xylophone on eBay because the instructions I’m working with are for a specific brand of xylophone

So I have to wait for that to arrive

[scarlet pelican]

I helped my wife with the electronics for the hat for her Elizabethan R2-D2 outfit; it plays R2-D2 sounds and blinks lights. And... I did someting dumb and blew it up. 😦
https://youtu.be/oes-Xb3rMYg

[stiff coral]

A rebuild of the farting keyboard portion of my “Fartsichord”

It’s 8 neokeys, with a plastic piano key epoxied on the top of a keycap

I have to dremel some of the keys a bit so that don’t stick together but it looks great I think

[covert grail]

I am very happy to announce that my project, Pipo modules, just got pre-launched on Crowd Supply 🥳 !
It's a plug-and-play sensing platform for all kinds of creative applications, with a convenient web interface. Turn mouvement, touch, distance or any sensor into a MIDI or OSC wireless controller in seconds.

Check it out and subscribe to stay tuned!

CS Pre-launch page
Insta

[clever stone]

The PortaProgXL is my take on Adafruit's (totally unsupported 😉) TesterBrains hardware programmer.

A great thing about open hardware is the user can spin up what they need.

Changes I made:

• LiPo support
• 170x320 display
• buttons and joystick
• USB-C everywhere
• extra neopixels
• smaller form

Things I kept:

• SD Card
• Buzzer
• STEMMA QT
• switchable power to attached devices (USB, VBUS, and 3V3)
• all the programming modes

All of the subsystem code is written and tested. It still need UI and a case (combination of acrylic and 3D printing)

Here is a link to LadyAda describing their TesterBrains ...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg2qjeiy4pg&t=75s

[clever stone]

Took a break from coding to figure out the case for my PortaProgXL (Tester Brains).
It's a sandwich with a 3D printed bottom box, the PCB, a 3D printed spacer, and an acrylic faceplate.

[clever stone]

Very creative and expressive design! Congratulations on reaching launch 🚀

[worldly ore]

hello. i needed the INA3221 breakout for a CAD project so i modeled it. i couldn't find an existing model anywhere. maybe someone finds it useful 👍 https://cad.onshape.com/documents/61e5952d81df14de6f7bea09/w/870a94fab556d9d887c01c01/e/6ac5b2ea9793989d516bb18d?renderMode=0&uiState=674372ce85d46d09f075de9f

[clever stone]

First real use of my PortaProgXL has been to reflash a bunch of SAMD21 PCBs either updated firmware. (video on BlueSky; no login or account required)

https://bsky.app/profile/bradanlane.bsky.social/post/3lbugychz3k2n

Bradán Lane (@bradanlane.bsky.social)

One use of the PortaProgXL is for batch programming - common when the hardware is assembled and tested before dormouse ready (or if a bug is found late and every board needs to be reflashed).

Here I am using the PortaProgXL with a pogo-pin probe to flash a bunch of SAMD21 PCBs.

▶ Play video

Bluesky · Nov 26, 2024, 4:21 PM

[errant pasture]

Finished putting the final touches on a new learn guide on Playground which documents how to connect to I2S microphones using CircuitPython and my new CircuitPython_PIO_I2S library! https://adafruit-playground.com/u/relic_se/pages/adafruit-i2s-mems-microphone-breakout-circuitpython-wiring-test

[jade path]

Of the two mics mentioned, why would you choose one over the other?

[errant pasture]

That is a great question which is going to require further examination of the datasheets. I've personally only been using the ICS-43434 breakout (the cheaper and newer option), but they should operate nearly identically. The most significant difference I can see so far is the range of supported sample rates. The SPH0645LM4H supports 32KHz to 64KHz and the ICS-43434 supports 6.25 KHz to 51.6 KHz (using two different power modes). The SPH0645LM4H technically only has 18-bits of precision though it operates as 24-bit (the other is full 24-bit). Because a lot of CircuitPython operates at 16-bit (ulab.numpy, audiosample, etc) you can easily just use them at 16-bit (8 LSBs are ignored).

[real galleon]

Hi everyone!

We’re looking for testers to receive a free sample of our battery management module, designed to make prototyping and development faster and easier.

This module is completely open-source, and all project documentation, including the datasheet, firmware, schematics, and PCB design files, is available on our GitHub: https://github.com/EDrTech/bATtiny-Guard-PMG001 (if you find it helpful and decide to use it in your projects, please reach out with all questions and feedback!)

We’re also working on a series of hardware development modules to tackle common prototyping challenges, and we’d love to connect with makers, students, or universities interested in testing them out and providing feedback.

If you’re working on a Li-Po battery-powered project, please fill out this form to apply or share with someone you think could benefit from it https://forms.gle/t4yk1BZac5GnCijx5

[untold sable]

Interesting. I like the built in current measurement which is a nice touch. What is the target price for this?

[eager flume]

I'm working on a embeddable 3D renderer. It works with the Arduino IDE, but I'm making this for ESP32s. I'm currently trying textures and larger scenes. Maybe I could get a small Minecraft clone running

There is another library called TGX but it is optimized for the Teensy family and I also think it lacks some features. From my testing, its really complicated to render simple things and has a lot of boilerplate...

[real galleon]

Still working on it, but planning to make it as affordable as possible. If you have some project that has Li-Po battery in it, please fill out the form for a chance to get a free sample - we would like to get as much feedback on the use as possible. If you subscribe to our crowdsupply campaign, you will be notified about the final price as soon as we launch - https://www.crowdsupply.com/edrtech/battiny-guard

We are also working on a series of other modules to cover different use cases, will have some new prototypes in a few weeks. If you have any ideas or suggestions of features that this module doesn't have but would be useful (not just for single cell li-po batteries) , we're listening 👂

[eager flume]

Added textures!

[soft violet]

Colaborated with my local airsoft field to make a system for the gamemode domination.
We successfully ran a game with 4 of these today!

The adressable LEDS from Adafruit were awesome

[forest prairie]

Layering boards without putting everything on a pcb

[tepid iris]

Work in progress

[clever stone]

If I am interpreting things correctly, you have wireless charging into your sphere?

[ashen creek]

Just built myself a miniature pipboy smartwatch thing using an ESP32-S2 Reverse TFT board.

A few more pics.

[untold sable]

Neat. How much battery life do you get out of it? Is it always on or do you wake it to read it? Of course you have to be near known Wifi right?

[ashen creek]

Five hours or so if the screen is constantly on, but I put a tilt sensor in it, so the screen stays off unless the watch is held at a viewing angle. Only need to be near known wifi once a day. The time syncs with ntp servers, but the internal clock does a good job of keeping the time when off of wifi. The weather data though is daily weather, so once a day it needs wifi to get that.

[untold sable]

Ah ok daily weather, not live. I see. Yes, I have a few projects running on ESP32-S3 which grab NTP time as well and I have found that simply setting the RTC of the MCU to that even after days I don't see significant drift. Good enough for my needs and probably fine for something like yours that updates daily. Oh and nice job on the 3D printed case. Looks great.

[frosty dirge]

I made a Topre macropad/ornament for a secret Santa exchange! Was a fun, no stress design.

[clever stone]

Looks great! What microcontroller did you choose?

[frosty dirge]

It's samd21

[clever stone]

Thanks! Great chip. Great choice.

I use the SAMD21 on my "Coin M0" which supports both Arduino and CircuitPython.
https://circuitpython.org/board/bradanlanestudio_coin_m0/

[frosty dirge]

It's my favorite little MCU for onboard stuff. So dead simple.

This is running ZMK though.

[clever stone]

I am looking forward to developing for the AVR64DU (8 bit MCU with USB). It is very budget friendly

[frosty dirge]

I'm seeing lots of folks go ch552 and that family for cheap 8-bit USB stuff.

[clever stone]

I need all of the 64KB of flash plus a little EEPROM.

[scarlet pelican]

My son breadboarded this circuit so we could talk to the MOS KIM-1 with my laptop: https://youtu.be/f36RJ-k_s0E

[clever stone]

Impressive spelunking and a talented next generation hardware hacker 👍🏻💪👏🏼

[sand grotto]

TinFX-W and Micropython powered Lego NeoPixel Christmas tree 🎄
Code: https://github.com/tyeth/christmas-tree-neopixels-pimoroni-tinyfx-w/
Gallery: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNleDYwzHlcNteEjaLrvq75awYH58Z31Qw7cj1WPOI7epapDlhymlNzVpuJOSPEdg/photo/AF1QipNq2aFrhsYKPCbpBf4XvHDOz3JNl2vqmOrXok6O?key=R2JweEJkY01zSklsNlcyWVFmc1RIV1YyXy1DaUhB

[languid nebula]

A side question... where do you get that squirrel? It is part of the kit?

[sand grotto]

Yeah, part of the small kit, couple of hazelnuts, ladybirds, and shrubs as well as the gardener (and mostly what's seen).
The axe is an old knights set

[sand grotto]

@languid nebula ☝️ LEGO City Park Tractor (60390)

[languid nebula]

Awwwwwww thanks☺️☺️

[sonic fractal]

my son

he just needs some bateries and hes done

[sacred timber]

So this is your PC board design? Looks great. Also the name of my cat... 😄

[sonic fractal]

Hes a little robot i made
ill make the design files public once i confirm hes working

[sacred timber]

Is there a ball caster under the middle-front then?

[sonic fractal]

Yes, a very small one

[sacred timber]

Cool. I've been thinking I might try designing my own PCB at some point, as I've got some spare N20 motors with encoders from my current project (I replaced the ones I had with more powerful ones to handle a larger robot with Mecanum wheels, so I've got 4 spares).

I like your graphics, they look good.

[sonic fractal]

Thanks

The moai isnt mine btw, i was given permission to use it by the creator

His name is RetroAdvance64

I like adding icons and such to my boards

Adds character to it

[sacred timber]

Yeah, sure, I have a graphic arts background (including cartooning) so I'd like to do something arty-farty with the design. A little personality...

I'd like to do a circular board so I'd have a balanced differential robot, two casters. But keep it small.

[sonic fractal]

That sounds quite challenging to do, i wish you luck on your project.
If you ever end up making it, feel free to share it with me

[sacred timber]

It'd be sometime later next year, as right now my main project is a small 4 wheel Mecanum, putting my Mars rover on hold since I'm out-of-country for awhile. So there's already a queue of projects, but I've wanted to try a really small 1 or 2 PCB design for awhile, avoid all the difficulties of wire harnesses by using a custom PCB. [Most of my messaging is over on Personal Robotics...]

Of course, one of the more difficult parts is choosing the batteries. I normally use 12V or 18V power tool batteries, but for a really small robot they'd probably be too big. But maybe the smallest of the Makita 12V batteries might work out, considering the alternative might be just as heavy. I'd not want to use bare LiPo batteries and I'd like a decent running time.

[sonic fractal]

Yeah picking the batteries was tough for me too due to the size of my robot

I ended up going for 14500 batteries since theyre small

[sacred timber]

So are they sandwiched between the two PCBs then?

I generally try to balance my batteries (since they're often the heaviest things on the robot) over the axles as much as possible.

[sonic fractal]

So i uhh

Actually domt have them yet

[sacred timber]

Ahh

[sonic fractal]

Turns out i cant buy batteries on aliexpress

:/

[sacred timber]

No, you often can't ship batteries overseas because of the possibility of them flaming out.

Depending on the kind of battery.

[sonic fractal]

Yeah yeah that, the shipping company explicitly states that i cant ship lithium batteries, although im unsure if there are exceptions

[sacred timber]

Probably not. There's been situations where freight planes had explosions when carrying a bunch of lithium batteries so now there's a lot more restrictions. You probably need to find a local vendor like DigiKey or Mouser.

For example, if you look at the bottom of the pololu.com page they have a list of distributors by country. Some companies have distributors in most larger countries.

So even if you live in a smaller country, if it's near one on a distributor list and can be shipped by truck, you'd be fine.

[sonic fractal]

Found one, its in another city but they do ship to where i live, thanks for the suggestion!

[topaz cipher]

I recently completed a project writeup for a Personalized Digital Tree Ornament: https://www.hackster.io/rhammell/personalized-digital-tree-ornament-with-animated-icons-17742a

This ornament includes a small display, that shows animated face icons bouncing around on screen- making a nice little personalized gift for the holidays.

It uses an Feather RP2040 along with an Adafruit 1.8" TFT display.

The writeup may be helpful for anyone dabbling in displaying images using CircuitPythong and the displayio library. It gives a detailed explanation on how to make transparent bitmap image using GIMP, and how to read in and animate that image ont the display

[ivory briar]

A school project I did. I’m using an ESP32-s3 and some sensors to gather data and send to my AIO account.

Pic of the hardware

[eager flume]

I got gnuboy running on my tiny console! It's running on the Arduino framework so it's really easy to tinker with. I'm now working on getting a selection menu to launch either this or my previous NES emulator. I plan on getting SMS emulation working after.

(There is one downside to this which is that GBC roms can be up to 8MB large, but I only have 2MB on this QT Py... I could replace it with a more powerful chip but then I couldn't make it this small without a PCB)

[broken rain]

That's really cool. Do you have a github to share the code and printables to share the case?

[sand grotto]

Very interesting, and a nice project! Did you find the INA219 was reading too infrequently to be useful, or the current was too little etc, just curious as I do see a couple of peaks in the current graph (and I forget which of the current sensors does charge/coulomb counting)

[sand grotto]

Nice work!
There's the Adafruit ESP32 qtpy pico, which has 8mb flash and 2mb psram, or you could grab something like a 32mb flash 8mb psram esp32s3 in small form factor (maybe include the display) from another vendor. This is my goto for larger flash+ram plus display (but only 16mb flash with 8mb psram and you probably find the usb+button positions less ideal) https://lilygo.cc/products/t-display-s3?variant=42351558590645

[ivory briar]

Well, those spikes in my graph are just the few times I decided to test the charge. It's supposed to be charged by a solar cell, but as there aren't many places for me to place the cell at home, it's been kinda difficult to test it long term. Also, you're right that the INA219 reads the current infrequently, but that's fixed by using a for-loop to collect multiple samples (600 worked best for me) and then calculating the average value I get. In short, the INA works, I just haven't used it to charge a lot and that is the reason for the irregular spikes in the graph.

[ivory briar]

I do have a repository, but only a private one between me and my teacher, as this was a school project. Could maybe make a new public repository with the code, but must first see with my teacher then. Also, it's really messy as I'm still quite new to coding and especially to github and how that works. Also, the printable case wasn't done by me so I don't have any files for that.

[sand grotto]

Thanks, really appreciate the detailed answer!

[weary night]

I have created a cellular LTE-M connected Christmas tree with the Walter module: https://youtu.be/3ue0cUZLDmw

[eager flume]

Yeah I was looking at the Pico, but for now I'm limited on PSRAM. Also that display looks interesting but I'm going to switch to a 240x240 screen soon as I'm currently drawing at half resolution (for the NES emulator)

Although the Pico also has a DAC so it would work with audio

[light summit]

My latest lander sculpture using a Particle Photon 2 along with Adafruit’s 170x320 TFT display and PDM microphone. The display has an SD card so I can store a ton of images and graphics. Hoping to use the microphone for simple voice commands.
The lander is showing a demo screen, but the data will eventually be fetched over the internet using webhooks.

[sand grotto]

Maybe an i2s amp (they're small and supported by esp and most platforms)?

[untold sable]

Great job on the various display setups. Lots of info on a screen without being cramped/cluttered so still easy to read. Good siplay layout is an underrated skill.

[half marten]

Tiny little thing I made, looking for some feedback around the switching regulator layout and tracing

[low pulsar]

(not feedback, but learning from your design) was part of the thinking to be breadboard friendly? - if yes, are the header pins positioned to plug into a breadboard in that orientation to power up the rails?

[half marten]

Yes the idea is it make it as plug and play as possible, it powers the breadboard rails to either 5.0 or 3.3V

[clever stone]

I may not be reading your PCB layout correctly but it appears you have your 5V and 3V pins in a row that is covered by the PCB.

Are the soldered headers for your PCB point up and thus not touching the headboard?

If not, then the pins of a row are connected, your U+ and U- are shorted together. They are also covered up by the PCB.

This image is just a reference to show you how the pins of a breadboard are connected.

A popular layout is to have VCC and GND pins align with the left and right edge rails with pins down so the power PCB plugs directly into the breadboard.

Here is a 3D party example:

[potent aurora]

It power the power rails only

the headers along the PCB are upwards to be accessed with wires or for testing points

also the selection happens through the upwards pins aswell

its manual, to prevent unconscious decision to shift voltages from 3.3 to 5.0 and vice versa

This one an older version however

still waiting on JLCPCB for v2

[low pulsar]

thanks for the visual 👍🏿 (I didn't recognize the smd 2x3 pads on the back side, nice.)

[sonic fractal]

Omg dude im a big fan of your work
I used to follow you when i had IG

[half marten]

Redesigned Arduino R4 Minima
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV3ItGxBP1M

[daring timber]

I've made a tool that can be described as a CI/CD system for the RP2350/RP2040. I hope this could make your development workflow more convenient.
Please take a look, feedback appreciated: https://flashmypico.com/

[bright sky]

Wrote the drivers for this lcd panel for Kaluma.js that runs on a RP2040. Wrote some other tools to convert pngs to embedded json bitmaps too. Got some rudimentary orientation code going.

[half marten]

Cute!

[eager flume]

https://github.com/simplyrohan/esp32-gameboy-color
repo if you want, still a WIP but its not too bad to port to your own setup if you modify hardware.h and hardware.cpp

[untold sable]

Which display is that? Nice job btw.

[bright sky]

@untold sable gc9a01

[solar yew]

I hope you all are well! I am the creator of the Raspberry Pi Recovery Kit and I am in the process of bringing everything over from my doscher.com site to my Github account here: https://github.com/jdoscher. If you see something missing, @ me and I will add it :). Cheers!

[swift nexus]

I picked up some NOODS during the holiday sale and wanted to make something that made use of the flexibility, so I made a tensegrity table desk toy: https://hachyderm.io/@thzinc/113763212970483778

[bright sky]

Using shift registers for the first time right now. Fried a microcontroller tonight but finally got it working. I’m emulating a NES controller on a bread board and using switches so I can “slow it down” as I work on another shift register to decode the serial out to do parellel out for a gameboys inputs.

[wind nest]

I am currently building a pick and place machine to assemble PCBs dose anyone want some pictures.

[low pulsar]

Nice 🙂 (I've never even held a Gameboy, a naive question.) how does one interface with a Gameboys input? Briefly looked at some diagrams, and saw a diode matrix for the buttons.

[clever stone]

Wow! Are you using a kit or building from plans? I have been curious about the kits as well as the few available desktop machines.

[bright sky]

So there’s 4 wires that the game boy reads d pad and buttons from. There’s two control pins/wires that flip high and low for switching the diodes between d pad and buttons. So the game boy uses 6 pins instead of a full 8 to read the controller inputs.

[bright sky]

I created an interactive web (react) app (not deployed yet) that illustrates the button states in slowmo to illustrate it more.

[stiff coral]

A sneak peek at the near finished Fartsichord. A farting circus organ. I built the wood cabinet myself and it runs off 16 neokeys (8 for the gold buttons on the front, 8 for the farting piano keys) the gold buttons on the front play cartoon sfx and there will be 8 piano keys that play fart noises. The last thing I need help with is getting the fart keys to light up a separate led for each key when pressed. This also has a raspberry pi music player coded by my friend Alex. The player has an external usb mount so I can add more music to it. The text was printed on parchment printer paper and glued onto the wood recessed window. A WIP but it’s almost done

[daring timber]

Hi! I'm back with a new RP2350/RP2040 feature that lets you pre-configure firmware constants before flashing: https://flashmypico.com/docs/howto/configurables

[wind nest]

The kid costs way too much. I have built him for about $400.

[wind nest]

*kit

and it is based around the lumenpnp but heavily modified tol cost under one thousand

[lucid bloom]

A heavily augmented yet completely unmodified Mac SE. My friend modified the floppy so it boots into the tts program. There is a USBWombat and PicoW which makes it say the contents of an mqtt message by typing it in then Ctrl T to make it say the message. The accelerometer is a mpu6050 and d1 mini which allows it to respond to being poked. The most recent part on top is a pi zero 2 and waveshare wm8960 with stereo mems mics which enables the conversational aspect.

[stiff coral]

The Fartsichord is done! Huge thanks to @glad roost for helping me along! I’ll post a video at some point

Made the cabinet and all the bells and whistles myself

Still have to attach the back hatch

[stiff coral]

Now it’s finally finished!!!

[smoky heath]

Makes me think of when he was a guest at Late Night and brought his fart machine 😉

[stiff coral]

He was a true legend

Here it is in action

[craggy yew]

I true marvel indeed!

[clever stone]

What a gas!

[untold sable]

Jumpin' Jack Flash!

[clever stone]

♭- flat

[sharp comet]

that looks really cool, great job!

It's not hooked up to RTC or other real time source yet, but I'm pretty happy with how this displayio analog clock face is turning out.

[swift nexus]

Thanks! I wrote up the build at https://thzinc.com/2025/01/03/illuminated-neon-tensegrity-table-desk-toy.html

[sharp comet]

Awesome! thanks for writing that up and sharing it here. I love the wobble that it does.

[woeful depot]

Hi all!

My current project is called SPOKE, it is a 27-pin capacitive touch controller based on the RP2040 chip from raspberry pi. It has 27 neopixel LEDs that work as indicator lights and also has connectors for i2c devices for additional inputs/outputs or daisychaining boards together!

It runs on Circuitpython so can easily be coded to do lots of different things. So far I've experimented loads with USB-MIDI, Keyboard and Mouse emulation for game/software controllers and also using serial-in for controlling other things.

I'm starting a kickstarter for it soon, as it has the potential to be a really useful tool for makers/educators, currently just building an audience who might be interested in supporting it!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tomfox/spoke-touch-sensing-made-simple

[swift nexus]

Round displays are so cool

[sharp comet]

Agree'd!

[unreal mica]

dedicated ISP :3

ISP-ception (ISP programming another ISP)

[wind nest]

I have created my owbn microcontroller moard around the pic16f1455

https://github.com/AdamKirby07/Biscuit-MCU/tree/main

it is cammed the Biscuit microcontroller or biscuit mcu

It has usb to program, a battery connector for non litihum batteries and 8 io pins

i have created my own drag and drop ide, mplab can be used (microchips oem ide) and i am working on an arduino core.

*called

if anyone wants to join the waitlist go onto the discord linked at the bottom of the github and send a message in waitlist