CircuitPython 7.0.0 Alpha 6 Released! @circuitpython

This is CircuitPython 7.0.0-alpha.6, an alpha release for CircuitPython 7.0.0. It is relatively stable, but contains a number of issues still to be addressed for 7.0.0. The Python API’s it presents may change.

Notable additions to 7.0.0 since 6.3.0 include:

  • Support for the CircuitPython development workflow over BLE.
  • Camera support on ESP32S2.
  • qrio: QR code decoding.
  • The keypad key-scanning module.
  • Run-time customization of USB devices.
  • Merging in of MicroPython fixes and enhancements as of MicroPython 1.16.
  • _pixelbuf is now adafruit_pixelbuf.
  • colorwheel() routine moved to rainbowio.
  • supervisor.ticks_ms() to allow easier time-keeping.
  • Simplifications to the RGB status LED codes.
  • A clocking fix for a few samples of RP2040 boards.
  • Rework of vectorio and some of its API. VectorShape is no longer needed for user code.
  • getpass module.
  • traceback module.
  • board.LED now consistently present on all boards that have such an LED.
  • PulseOut no longer needs a PWMOut.
  • supervisor.get_previous_traceback().

Download from circuitpython.org

Firmware downloads are available from the downloads page on circuitpython.org. The site makes it easy to select the correct file and language for your board.

Installation

To install follow the instructions in our new Welcome to CircuitPython! guide. To install the latest libraries, see this page in that guide.

Try the latest version of the Mu editor for creating and editing your CircuitPython programs and for easy access to the CircuitPython serial connection (the REPL).

Port status

CircuitPython has a number of “ports” that are the core implementations for different microcontroller families. Stability varies on a per-port basis. As of this release, atmel-samd, cxd56 (Spresense), esp32s2, nrf,raspberrypi, stm for the F4 family are stable. stm for other STM chip families is being actively improved but may be missing functionality and have bugs. litex and mimxrt10xx are in an alpha state and will have bugs and missing functionality.

Changes since 7.0.0-alpha.5

The full commit log is here.

Fixes and enhancements

  • Add qrio, which does QR code decoding. #5094. Thanks @jepler.
  • vectorio has been extensively reworked. VectorShape is no longer needed for user code. #5087, #5090. Thanks @WarriorOfWire.
  • Add CPython-compatible getpass module. #5115. Thanks @microDev1.
  • Add CPython-compatible traceback module. #5072, #5115. Thanks @microDev1 and @jepler.
  • Allow disabling of BLE workflow. #5089. Thanks @tannewt.
  • PulseOut now does not need to be created with a PWMOut. Using a PWMOut is deprecated. #5067. Thanks @tannewt.
  • Fix empty boot_out.txt. #5088. Thanks @cwalther.
  • Remove gamepad: use keypad instead. #5068. Thanks @dhalbert.
  • Remove settings.py and settings.txt as alternative names for boot.py. #5065. Thanks @jepler.
  • Add supervisor.get_previous_traceback(). #5037. Thanks @hierophect.
  • Remove OSError(0) errors. #5036. Thanks @tannewt.
  • Remove obsolete network modules. #5036. Thanks @tannewt.
  • Allow multiple PulseOut instances. #5032. Thanks @DavePutz.
  • Remove display.Group‘s max_size parameter. #5040. Thanks @lesamouraipourpre.

Port and board-specific changes

  • Add board.LED for all boards that should have it. #5066, #5112. Thanks @dhalbert and @NathanY3G.

ESP32S2

  • Fix fake deep-sleep issues. #5074. Thanks @tannewt.

NRF

  • Fix fake deep-sleep issues. #5074. Thanks @tannewt.

RP2040

  • Fix crackly and erratic audio playback. #5079. Thanks @dhalbert.
  • Add board-specific pico-sdk settings. #5085. Thanks @dhalbert.
  • Fix XOSC delay multiplier for Adafruit boards. #5085. Thanks @dhalbert.
  • Allow specifying the JMP pin in rp2io. #5042. Thanks @NathanY3G.

SAMx

  • Audio playback improvements. #5079. Thanks @dhalbert.

Spresense

  • Update SDK to 2.2.0. #5069. Thanks @kamtom480.

STM32

  • Add alarm.SleepMemory. #5083. Thanks @hierophect.

Individual Boards

  • Adafruit Circuit Playground Express and Bluefruit: Use all ten NeoPixels for status. #5052. Thanks @tannewt.
  • Adafruit MagTag: Use all four LEDs for status. #5075. Thanks @tannewt.
  • Adafruit Proximity Trinkey: Add native adafruit_busdevice. #5058. Thanks @ladyada.
  • Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect: Add IS25LP128F flash chip support. #5055. Thanks @todbot.
  • ATMegaZero ESP32-S2: Fix MOSI and MISO pin mappings. #5116. Thanks @eddieespinal.
  • STM32F405: Fix CAN pin assignments. #5056. Thanks @jepler.
  • STM32F411 BlackPill: Correct manufacturer. #5102. Thanks @evildave666.
  • STM32F411 BlackPill with flash: Remove empty flash space. #5061. Thanks @evildave666.
  • BDMICRO VINA-D51: Add MX25L12833F flash chip support. #5098. Thanks @bd34n.

New boards Since 6.3.0

  • Adafruit MacroPad RP2040. #4770, #4864. Thanks @ladyada.
  • Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect. #4802. Thanks @BlitzCityDIY.
  • ARAMCON2 Badge. #4627. Thanks @aramcon-badge.
  • ATMegaZero ESP32-S2. #4634. Thanks @eddieespinal.
  • BlueMicro840. #5114. Thanks @jpconstantineau.
  • CP Sapling Rev B. #4677. Thanks @skerr92.
  • Cytron Maker Pi RP2040. #4824. Thanks @CytronTechnologies.
  • Espressif Kalgua v1.3. #4870. Thanks @jepler.
  • Gravitech Cucumber M. #5097. Thanks @anecdata.
  • Gravitech Cucumber MS. #5097. Thanks @anecdata.
  • Gravitech Cucumber R. #5097. Thanks @anecdata.
  • Gravitech Cucumber RS. #5097. Thanks @anecdata.
  • micro:bit V2 (first BLE-only board). #5002. Thanks @tannewt.
  • Muselab nanoESP32-S2 WROVER. #4834. Thanks @reppad.
  • PiMoroni PGA2040. #4865. Thanks @ZodiusInfuser.
  • RayTac MDBT50Q-RX nRF52840 dongle. #5095. Thanks @dhalbert.
  • senseBox MCU. #4576. Thanks @felixerdy.
  • SparkFun MicroMod SAMD51. #4852. Thanks @stonehippo.
  • SparkFun MicroMod STM32. #5060. Thanks @cdwilson.

Documentation

  • Add list of supported boards to each module’s documentation page. #5054. Thanks @jepler.
  • Move ulab documentation to correct locations. #5028. Thanks @jepler.

Build and infrastructure changes

  • Print test failure information. #5093. Thanks @microDev1.
  • Compress word offset table, reducing build size. #5107. Thanks @jepler.
  • Unpin sphinx-autoapi version due to fixed bug. #5096. Thanks @jepler.
  • VID/PID checker script is now more flexible about repo hierarhcy. #5070. Thanks @jepler.
  • Clean up obsolete TODO comments. #5050. Thanks @cwalther.

Translation additions and improvements

  • Thanks for translations:
  • @bergdahl (Swedish)
  • @Edrig (French)
  • @wtuemura (Portuguese – Brazil)

Breaking changes and deprecations since 6.x

  • The RGB status LED codes have changed for clarity and to save power.
  • PWMOut is now only in pwmio, and is no longer in both pulseio and pwomio.
  • colorwheel() has been moved from _pixelbuf to rainbowio.
  • display.Group no longer has a max_size parameter.
  • vectorio: Rectangle, Circle, and Polygon are added directly to a Group; VectorShape is not needed.
  • Using a PWMOut for PulseOut is deprecated and will be removed in 8.0.0.
  • gamepad is removed: use keypad. gamepadshift is still present but will be removed in 8.0.0.
  • settings.py and settings.txt are no longer alternative names for boot.py.

Known issues

  • i.MX boards such as the Teensy 4.0 are not working with 7.0.0 yet: #5086.
  • See https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython/issues for other issues.

Thanks

Thank you to all who used, tested, and contributed since 6.3.0, including the contributors above, and many others on GitHub and Discord. Join us on the Discord chat to collaborate.

Documentation

Documentation is available in readthedocs.io.

This release is based on MicroPython 1.16. Support upstream MicroPython by purchasing a PyBoard (from Adafruit here) or sponsoring MicroPython on GitHub.

Download from circuitpython.org

Firmware downloads are available from the downloads page on circuitpython.org. The site makes it easy to select the correct file and language for your board.

Installation

To install follow the instructions in our new Welcome to CircuitPython! guide. To install the latest libraries, see this page in that guide.

Try the latest version of the Mu editor for creating and editing your CircuitPython programs and for easy access to the CircuitPython serial connection (the REPL).

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Tags: — by Dan Halbert

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