KS4001 BBC Micro:bit Main Board

1. Description

Launched by BBC together with ARM, Barclays, Element14, and Microsoft , Micro: bit is an open source hardware platform based on ARM structure and can serve as a microprocessor with Arm Cortex-M4 32 bit processor with FPU as its core.

Though it is just the size of a credit card, it boasts multiple functions for it is equipped with loads of components,including a 5*5 LED dot matrix, 2 programmable buttons, an accelerometer, an electronic compass, a temperature sensor, a touch-sensitive logo and a MEMS microphone and a Bluetooth module/ LE(low energy ) and others. And there is a buzzer built on the other side of the board which makes playing all kinds of sound possible without any external equipment. Moreover, this board has a sleeping mode to lower power consumption of battery and it can be entered if users long press the Reset & Power button on the back of it.

This Micro: bit development board features powerful functions which can be easily expanded. The bottom connectors is designed with golden fingers, which makes interactions with various electronic components easier by providing better fixing of alligator clips. It supports sensor data reading, control of servos, RGB light strip and others, and connections with various sensors via a shield. This board is compatible with many code languages and graphical programming platforms, and suitable for almost all PCs and mobile devices with no need to install drivers. Furthermore, the electronic modules equipped are highly integrated and serial port monitor is available for use.

It has found wide applications. To name just a few, it can be applied in programming video games, making interactions between light and sound, controlling a robot, conducting scientific experiments, developing wearable devices and make some cool inventions like robots and musical instruments, basically everything imaginable.

2. Specifications

  • Working voltage: 3.3V

  • Power supply voltage: 3-3.3V

  • Micro USB program burning/power supply port: 5V

  • PH2.0 power interface: 3-3.3V

  • Alligator clip interface: 3-3.3V

  • Detection range: 0-3.3V

  • Processor: Arm Cortex-M4 32 bit processor with FPU

  • Working temperature: 0-85℃

  • Micro USB program burning/power supply port

  • PH2.0 3V power supply port

  • 4mm alligator clip interface*5

  • Gold finger interface*20

  • Product size: 43*52mm

  • Package size: 105 * 55 * 30mm

  • Weight: 8.6g

3. Features

  • Support PXT graphical programming interface developed by Microsoft

  • Support Windows, Macos, iOS and Android system

  • The programming environment is based on WEB services, no need to download additional compilers

  • Burn and simulate program via USB on PC terminal

  • Burn and simulate program via Bluetooth

  • Support multiple communication programming languages including javasript, python, mbed, c and others.

4. On board Components

  1. Bluetooth chip Nordic nRF52833 LE: 32MHz NXPKL27Z, 512KB Flash、128KB RAM

  2. Nordic nRF52833 microprocessor:Arm Cortex-M4 32 bit processor with FPU

  3. ST LSM303AGR three-axis accelerator

  4. ST LSM303AGR three-axis magnetic sensor

  5. A 5*5 LED dot matrix

  6. Three mechanical buttons including two user buttons and a reset button

  7. A touch-sensitive logo and a speaker

  8. Micro USB power-supply/download connector，power socket, edge connector，including SPI, PWM, I2C, support 17 pcs GPIO

5. Layout

6. Pins Descriptions

Name

Serial port

GPIO

P0，P1，P2，P3,P4，P5，P6，P7，P8，P9，P10，P11，P12，P13，P14，P15，P16

ADC/DAC

P0，P1，P2，P3,P4，P10

IIC

P19（SCL）,P20（SDA）

SPI

P13（SCK）,P14（MISO）,P15（MOSI）

PWM(frequently used)

P0，P1，P2，P3,P4，P10

PWM(rarely used)

P5、P6、P7、P8、P9、P11、P12、P13、P14、P15、P16、P19、P20

Occupied

P3(LED Col3)，P4(LED Col1)，P5(Button A)，P6(LED Col4)，P7(LED Col2)，P10(LED Col5)，P11(Button B)

7. Comparison between Micro:bit and Arduino

Aspects

micro:bit

Arduino

Groups

Students and Enthusiasts (Above Primary School )

Students and Enthusiasts (Above High School )

Processor

Nordic nRF52833Arm Cortex-M4 32 bit processor with FPU

8-bit microcontroller ATmage328P

Size

43mm*52mm

53mm*69mm

Programming Environments

Support both online and localprogramming tools

Just localprogramming tool（Arduino IDE）

Programming Languages

graphical programming；
MicroPython;
Scratch

C;C++

On-board Components

I/O Signal Ports
Bluetooth
Accelerator
Electronic Compass
Buttons

I/O Signal Ports

External Connection Devices

Alligator Clips

Jumper Wires

Compatible Voltage

3V

3V-5V