Ultrasonic distance sensor (Sonar:bit)

Hardware Assembly: micro:bit, IoT expansion board, Sonar:bit

Ensure that there is NO POWER to the Microbit when assembling or disassembling components.

• Mount the micro:bit: Slot the micro:bit firmly into the edge connector of the IoT expansion board.
• Connect the Sonar:bit: Use the 3-pin GVS (Ground, Voltage, Signal) cable.
• Match the colors:
  • Plug the cable into the Sonar:bit. (ensure Black matches G, Red matches V, and Yellow/Signal matches S).
  • Connect the other end to the expansion board's Numer 1 port (P1)

Setup the Microbit with Sonar:bit

• Launch Browser: Open Chrome
• Open Editor: Navigate to makecode.microbit.org and click the home button
• Optional: Log in if you have a google or Apple Account
• Create: a new project named "Sonar_Sensor".
• Hardware Pairing: (If not already paired)
• Connect the micro:bit to the Mac via USB.
• Click the ... button next to Download, select Connect device, and pair the browser directly to the micro:bit hardware.

Ultrasonic distance sensor - Create a sensor to display distance to an object

• Delete the default "on start" block. You will use the forever block
• Add IoT extensions: Click Extensions, search for "Sonar", and add the package to reveal custom sensor blocks.
• Initialize variables: Create a variable named distance.
• Read sensor data:
  • From Variable, place a set distance to 0 block inside a forever loop,
  • From Sonar, drag the code block to replace the 0 in the set distance black
  • Make the settings: Ping trig and echo are set to P1. Unit is set to cm.
• Display data: Add a show number block inside the loop to constantly scroll the distance value on the micro:bit screen.

• Test on the Microbit

  • Click the Download button.
  • Test the program on the microbit

Ensure that there is NO POWER to the Microbit when assembling or disassembling components.