ubitwebblejs

This project turns a BBC micro:bit into a versatile Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device that can be controlled from a web browser. It allows a web-based client to interact with the micro:bit’s sensors and actuators.

Try it out with the companion web app: https://wongfei2009.github.io/microbit-webble-p5js/

Features

• Read data from the accelerometer, magnetometer, and temperature sensor.
• Check the state of the A and B buttons.
• Control the 5x5 LED matrix.
• Communicate with the micro:bit over a UART (serial) connection.
• Continuously sends ambient light level readings over the Bluetooth UART connection.
• A music player that can play tunes sent from the connected web client.

How it Works

The micro:bit runs a program that initializes a number of Bluetooth services. A connected device can then use these services to interact with the micro:bit.

Music Player

A connected client can send music to the micro:bit in chunks over the UART connection. The protocol is as follows:

1. A message with a MUSIC: prefix is sent to set the tempo.
2. The music data is sent in one or more messages with a CHUNK: prefix.
3. The last chunk must contain the string |END to signify the end of the music data.
4. The micro:bit assembles the chunks and then uses a custom library to parse the music string and play it.

Use as Extension

This repository can be added as an extension in MakeCode.

• open https://makecode.microbit.org/
• click on New Project
• click on Extensions under the gearwheel menu
• search for https://github.com/wongfei2009/ubitwebblejs and import

Build and Deploy

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v14 or higher)
• npm (comes with Node.js)

Setup

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/wongfei2009/ubitwebblejs.git
   cd ubitwebblejs
   

2. Install PXT command-line tools and set up the micro:bit target:

   npm install -g pxt
   pxt target microbit
   

3. Install project dependencies:

   pxt install
   

Building

To build the project and generate the .hex file:

pxt build

Or use the Makefile:

make build

The compiled files will be generated in the built/ directory. The main file is built/binary.hex.

Deploying

Option 1: Automatic deployment (if micro:bit is connected via USB):

pxt deploy

Or use the Makefile:

make deploy

Option 2: Manual deployment:

1. Connect your micro:bit to your computer via USB
2. The micro:bit will appear as a USB drive named “MICROBIT”
3. Copy the built/binary.hex file to the MICROBIT drive
4. The micro:bit will automatically flash the new program

Important Notes

• This project uses Bluetooth services, which are incompatible with the Radio module in MakeCode
• Make sure only Bluetooth (not Radio) is listed in the dependencies in pxt.json
• After flashing, the micro:bit will display “BLE” on the LED matrix when ready