Sunday, April 25, 2021

Testing out CircuitPython library support for U2IF on Pico

Adafruiter Carter recently did a PR for adding Blinka support to the U2IF for RP2040 project – video.

According to the developer, “u2if (USB to interfaces) is an attempt to implement some of the MicroPython “machine” module functionalities on a computer. The goal is to be able to communicate with breakout boards (sensors, lcd…) simply from a python program on x86 machine. It uses a Raspberry PICO microcontroller to make the interface between the computer (USB) and peripherals/protocols.”

Hey that sounds a lot like Blinka, our compatibility layer for adding CircuitPython library support to CPython. With some quick coding, Carter pulled together some code to test it out! and here we’re testing ADC (potentiometer input), PWM (LED output), I2C (VL53L0X) and SPI (DotStar LEDs). Of course everyday GPIO also works so you can control relays and buttons. What a great use of a $4 microcontroller, now programmable with CPython to control all sorts of hardware thanks to Blinka and our 300 CircuitPython libraries. Check out the PR here https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Blinka/pull/449

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