This guide explores analog input and output (I/O) with MicroPython. Previously you saw with digital I/O how values can be ‘on’ or ‘off’ depending on their high or low voltage value. You might wonder though can you deal with values somewhere in-between on and off or high and low? With analog signals you absolutely can go beyond simple digital on/off or high/low. In fact an analog signal can be any one of infinite values between on and off!
In this guide you’ll see how to use an analog to digital converter (ADC) to read an analog voltage value. You’ll also learn about a digital to analog converters (DAC) and pulse-width modulation (PWM) that let you go the other way and effectively output voltages of a certain value. Using analog I/O you can read sensors or potentiometers, and control the intensity of signals like when driving a speaker or just dimming a LED. MicroPython makes it just as quick and easy to perform analog I/O as it does digital I/O.
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
