Are you curious about which microcontrollers are compatible with MicroPython? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the world of MicroPython and explore the microcontrollers that can run this powerful programming language. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer
- Quick Tips and Facts
- Background: A Brief History of MicroPython
- MicroPython-Compatible Microcontrollers
- Comparison of MicroPython-Compatible Microcontrollers
- Programming Examples with MicroPython
- MicroPython Libraries
- Supporting Hardware for MicroPython
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- Recommended Links
- Reference Links
Quick Answer
MicroPython is a Python-compatible programming language optimized for microcontrollers. It can run on various microcontrollers, including ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP8266, ESP32, 16-bit PIC, Unix, Microsoft Windows, Zephyr, JavaScript, and RP2040. With MicroPython, you can harness the power of Python on small-scale devices, making it an excellent choice for IoT projects and embedded systems.
👉 CHECK PRICE on: ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP8266, ESP32, 16-bit PIC, Unix, Microsoft Windows, Zephyr, JavaScript, RP2040
Quick Tips and Facts
- MicroPython is a Python-compatible programming language optimized for microcontrollers.
- It can run on various microcontrollers, including ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP8266, ESP32, 16-bit PIC, Unix, Microsoft Windows, Zephyr, JavaScript, and RP2040.
- MicroPython provides an interactive prompt (REPL) for immediate command execution.
- It offers inline assembler for code optimization.
- MicroPython is widely used in IoT projects, embedded systems, education, device and sensor design, and system monitoring.
Background: A Brief History of MicroPython
MicroPython was developed by Damien P. George and was initially released on May 3, 2014. It is written in C and is licensed under the MIT license. MicroPython is designed to bring the power of Python to microcontrollers, enabling developers to write Python code that can run efficiently on small-scale devices.
Since its initial release, MicroPython has gained popularity and has been adopted by various microcontroller platforms. It has seen continuous development and improvement, with the latest stable release being version 1.22.2, released on February 20, 2024.
MicroPython-Compatible Microcontrollers
MicroPython can run on a wide range of microcontrollers, providing developers with the flexibility to choose the platform that best suits their needs. Here are some of the microcontrollers that are compatible with MicroPython:
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ARM Cortex-M: ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers are widely used in embedded systems and offer excellent performance and power efficiency. MicroPython can run on ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers, making it a popular choice for IoT projects and other applications.
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STM32: STM32 microcontrollers, developed by STMicroelectronics, are based on the ARM Cortex-M architecture. They offer a wide range of features and are widely used in various industries. MicroPython is compatible with STM32 microcontrollers, allowing developers to leverage the power of Python in their projects.
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ESP8266 and ESP32: ESP8266 and ESP32 are popular Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled microcontrollers developed by Espressif Systems. They are widely used in IoT applications due to their low cost and excellent connectivity features. MicroPython can run on both ESP8266 and ESP32, making them ideal choices for IoT projects.
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16-bit PIC: MicroPython is also compatible with 16-bit PIC microcontrollers, which are widely used in industrial and automotive applications. With MicroPython, developers can write Python code for 16-bit PIC microcontrollers, simplifying the development process.
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Unix and Microsoft Windows: MicroPython is not limited to microcontrollers only. It can also run on Unix-based systems and Microsoft Windows, allowing developers to write Python code that can run on these platforms.
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Zephyr and JavaScript: MicroPython has been ported to the Zephyr real-time operating system, enabling developers to use MicroPython in Zephyr-based projects. Additionally, MicroPython can also run on JavaScript engines, opening up new possibilities for running Python code in web-based environments.
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RP2040: RP2040 is a microcontroller developed by Raspberry Pi. It features a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor and is designed for low-cost, high-performance applications. MicroPython is compatible with RP2040, allowing developers to utilize the power of Python in their RP2040-based projects.
Comparison of MicroPython-Compatible Microcontrollers
To help you choose the right microcontroller for your project, we’ve prepared a comprehensive comparison table. This table evaluates various aspects of each microcontroller, providing you with a clear overview of their strengths and weaknesses.
| Microcontroller | Design | Functionality | Performance | Cost-Effectiveness | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARM Cortex-M | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8.5 |
| STM32 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8.75 |
| ESP8266 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8.5 |
| ESP32 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 16-bit PIC | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7.25 |
| Unix | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7.75 |
| Microsoft Windows | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7.75 |
| Zephyr | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| JavaScript | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| RP2040 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Now, let’s take a closer look at each microcontroller and explore their features, benefits, and drawbacks.
ARM Cortex-M
- Design: 9/10
- Functionality: 8/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10
The ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers offer excellent performance and power efficiency, making them a popular choice for a wide range of applications. With MicroPython, developers can leverage the power of Python on ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers, simplifying the development process. However, the cost-effectiveness of ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers may vary depending on the specific model and features.
STM32
- Design: 9/10
- Functionality: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10
STM32 microcontrollers, based on the ARM Cortex-M architecture, are known for their wide range of features and excellent performance. With MicroPython, developers can write Python code for STM32 microcontrollers, taking advantage of the rich ecosystem of libraries and tools available for Python. However, the cost-effectiveness of STM32 microcontrollers may vary depending on the specific model and features.
ESP8266
- Design: 8/10
- Functionality: 9/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 9/10
ESP8266 microcontrollers are widely used in IoT applications due to their low cost and excellent connectivity features. With MicroPython, developers can write Python code for ESP8266, making it easier to develop IoT projects. However, the performance of ESP8266 may not be as high as other microcontrollers, and it may not be suitable for applications that require high computational power.
ESP32
- Design: 9/10
- Functionality: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 9/10
ESP32 microcontrollers, the successor to ESP8266, offer improved performance and additional features. With MicroPython, developers can harness the power of Python on ESP32 microcontrollers, making it an excellent choice for IoT projects that require more computational power. The cost-effectiveness of ESP32 microcontrollers is also excellent, making them a popular choice among developers.
16-bit PIC
- Design: 7/10
- Functionality: 7/10
- Performance: 7/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10
16-bit PIC microcontrollers are widely used in industrial and automotive applications. With MicroPython, developers can write Python code for 16-bit PIC microcontrollers, simplifying the development process. However, compared to other microcontrollers, the performance of 16-bit PIC microcontrollers may be lower, and they may not be suitable for applications that require high computational power.
Unix
- Design: 8/10
- Functionality: 8/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 7/10
MicroPython is not limited to microcontrollers only. It can also run on Unix-based systems, allowing developers to write Python code that can run on these platforms. With MicroPython on Unix, developers can leverage the power of Python in various applications. However, the cost-effectiveness of Unix-based systems may vary depending on the specific hardware and software requirements.
Microsoft Windows
- Design: 8/10
- Functionality: 8/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 7/10
MicroPython can also run on Microsoft Windows, enabling developers to write Python code that can run on Windows-based systems. With MicroPython on Windows, developers can take advantage of the rich ecosystem of libraries and tools available for Python. However, the cost-effectiveness of Windows-based systems may vary depending on the specific hardware and software requirements.
Zephyr
- Design: 8/10
- Functionality: 8/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10
Zephyr is a real-time operating system that supports MicroPython. With MicroPython on Zephyr, developers can write Python code for Zephyr-based projects, making it easier to develop real-time applications. Zephyr offers excellent design, functionality, performance, and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice among developers.
JavaScript
- Design: 7/10
- Functionality: 7/10
- Performance: 7/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 7/10
MicroPython can also run on JavaScript engines, allowing developers to run Python code in web-based environments. With MicroPython on JavaScript, developers can leverage the power of Python in web applications. However, the performance of MicroPython on JavaScript engines may not be as high as on dedicated microcontrollers.
RP2040
- Design: 9/10
- Functionality: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: 9/10
RP2040 is a microcontroller developed by Raspberry Pi. With MicroPython on RP2040, developers can harness the power of Python in their RP2040-based projects. RP2040 offers excellent design, functionality, performance, and cost-effectiveness, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications.
Programming Examples with MicroPython
MicroPython provides a wide range of programming examples that can help you get started with your projects. Here are a few examples:
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“Hello World” Program: The classic “Hello World” program is a great way to get started with MicroPython. It allows you to print a simple message to the console, demonstrating the basic syntax and functionality of MicroPython.
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LED Control: MicroPython makes it easy to control LEDs connected to your microcontroller. You can write code to turn the LED on or off, or even create more complex patterns and animations.
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File Reading: MicroPython allows you to read files from external storage devices, such as SD cards. You can write code to read data from a file and process it according to your application’s requirements.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. With MicroPython, you can unleash your creativity and build amazing projects.
MicroPython Libraries
MicroPython offers a wide range of libraries that can help you extend the functionality of your projects. These libraries include both standard Python libraries and MicroPython-specific libraries optimized for microcontrollers. Some popular MicroPython libraries include:
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machine: This library provides access to various hardware features of the microcontroller, such as GPIO pins, I2C, SPI, and UART interfaces. -
network: This library allows you to connect your microcontroller to Wi-Fi networks and communicate with other devices over the network. -
ujson: This library provides support for JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) encoding and decoding, allowing you to work with JSON data in your projects.
These libraries, along with many others, can be easily installed and used in your MicroPython projects, making development faster and more efficient.
Supporting Hardware for MicroPython
MicroPython is compatible with a wide range of supporting hardware, allowing you to connect various sensors, actuators, and other peripherals to your microcontroller. Some popular supporting hardware for MicroPython includes:
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Sensors: Temperature sensors, humidity sensors, motion sensors, light sensors, and many more.
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Actuators: LEDs, motors, servos, relays, and other devices that can be controlled by your microcontroller.
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Displays: LCD displays, OLED displays, and other types of displays that can be used to visualize data.
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Communication Modules: Wi-Fi modules, Bluetooth modules, and other communication modules that allow your microcontroller to communicate with other devices.
With the right supporting hardware, you can build complex and interactive projects using MicroPython.
FAQ
What can MicroPython run on?
MicroPython can run on various microcontrollers, including ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP8266, ESP32, 16-bit PIC, Unix, Microsoft Windows, Zephyr, JavaScript, and RP2040. It can also run on Unix-based systems and Microsoft Windows.
Read more about “Is MicroPython Better Than Arduino? … 🤖”
What boards can run MicroPython?
MicroPython can run on a wide range of boards, including but not limited to:
- Arduino boards
- Raspberry Pi Pico
- Adafruit CircuitPython boards
- Pycom boards
- BBC micro:bit
- ESP8266 and ESP32 development boards
Read more about “CircuitPython Simulator: Dive into the World of Virtual CircuitPython! … 🌐”
Does MicroPython support STM32?
Yes, MicroPython is compatible with STM32 microcontrollers. STM32 microcontrollers, based on the ARM Cortex-M architecture, are widely used in various industries. With MicroPython, developers can write Python code for STM32 microcontrollers, taking advantage of the rich ecosystem of libraries and tools available for Python.
What chips can run MicroPython?
MicroPython can run on various chips, including ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP8266, ESP32, 16-bit PIC, Unix, Microsoft Windows, Zephyr, JavaScript, and RP2040. These chips are used in a wide range of applications, from IoT projects to embedded systems.
Read more about “Micropython: Unlocking the Power of Python for Microcontrollers … 🔥”
Conclusion
MicroPython is a powerful programming language optimized for microcontrollers. It can run on a wide range of microcontrollers, including ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP8266, ESP32, 16-bit PIC, Unix, Microsoft Windows, Zephyr, JavaScript, and RP2040. With MicroPython, you can harness the power of Python on small-scale devices, making it an excellent choice for IoT projects and embedded systems.
After comparing the various microcontrollers, we can confidently recommend MicroPython for developers looking to run Python on microcontrollers. Each microcontroller has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that best suits your project requirements.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of MicroPython and start building amazing projects today!
