PyBoard Setup Guide

Documentation in Progress

This documentation is currently being developed. PyBoard support is fully implemented and tested.

Status: ✅ Core functionality complete, 📝 Documentation in progress
Expected completion: After hardware validation documentation phase

Coming Soon

This page will provide complete setup instructions for MicroPython PyBoard, including:

• PyBoard Variants: Original PyBoard v1.1, PyBoard D, and PyBoard Lite
• Driver Installation: Windows, Linux, and macOS driver setup
• DFU Mode: Device Firmware Update mode for firmware installation
• Pin Configuration: PyBoard-specific GPIO and peripheral mapping
• SD Card Support: File system and storage capabilities
• RTC Setup: Real-time clock configuration and battery backup
• Performance Optimization: Getting maximum performance from PyBoard

Quick Start Preview

// Example of what's coming - PyBoard-specific device control
public class PyBoardController : Device
{
    [Setup]
    public async Task InitializePyBoardAsync()
    {
        await ExecuteAsync(@"
import pyb
from machine import Pin

# Built-in LEDs (4 LEDs on PyBoard)
led1 = pyb.LED(1)  # Red
led2 = pyb.LED(2)  # Green
led3 = pyb.LED(3)  # Yellow
led4 = pyb.LED(4)  # Blue

# Switch and pins
switch = pyb.Switch()
pin_x1 = pyb.Pin.board.X1
pin_x2 = pyb.Pin.board.X2

# ADC
adc = pyb.ADC(pin_x1)

# Timer and PWM
tim = pyb.Timer(2, freq=1000)
pwm = tim.channel(1, pyb.Timer.PWM, pin=pyb.Pin.board.X1)
");
    }

    [Task]
    public async Task SetLedAsync(int ledNumber, bool state)
    {
        if (ledNumber < 1 || ledNumber > 4)
            throw new ArgumentException("LED number must be 1-4");
            
        await ExecuteAsync($"led{ledNumber}.{'on' if state else 'off'}()");
    }

    [Task]
    public async Task LedSequenceAsync()
    {
        await ExecuteAsync(@"
for i in range(1, 5):
    eval(f'led{i}').on()
    pyb.delay(100)
    eval(f'led{i}').off()
");
    }

    [Task]
    public async Task<bool> ReadSwitchAsync() =>
        await ExecuteAsync<bool>("switch.value()");

    [Task]
    public async Task<int> ReadAdcAsync() =>
        await ExecuteAsync<int>("adc.read()");

    [Task]
    public async Task SetPwmDutyCycleAsync(int dutyCycle) =>
        await ExecuteAsync($"pwm.pulse_width_percent({dutyCycle})");
}

// Usage
using var pyboard = Device.FromConnectionString("serial:COM3");
await pyboard.ConnectAsync();

var controller = new PyBoardController();
await controller.InitializePyBoardAsync();

// LED sequence demo
await controller.LedSequenceAsync();

// Read switch state
var switchPressed = await controller.ReadSwitchAsync();
Console.WriteLine($"Switch pressed: {switchPressed}");

// PWM control
await controller.SetPwmDutyCycleAsync(50); // 50% duty cycle

PyBoard Variants

PyBoard v1.1 (Original)

• CPU: STM32F405RG @ 168MHz
• Memory: 192KB RAM, 1MB Flash
• LEDs: 4 built-in LEDs (Red, Green, Yellow, Blue)
• Connectors: 2 × 20-pin headers
• Special Features: Built-in switch, RTC with battery backup

PyBoard D-series

• Enhanced Performance: Faster CPU, more memory
• Advanced Features: CAN bus, Ethernet (some models)
• Compatibility: Pin-compatible with v1.1

PyBoard Lite

• Compact Design: Smaller form factor
• Reduced Features: Fewer pins, no LEDs or switch
• Cost-Effective: Budget-friendly option

Pin Configuration

GPIO Pins

// PyBoard pin naming conventions
await device.ExecuteAsync("pin_x1 = pyb.Pin('X1', pyb.Pin.OUT_PP)");
await device.ExecuteAsync("pin_y1 = pyb.Pin('Y1', pyb.Pin.IN)");

// Alternative board pin access
await device.ExecuteAsync("pin = pyb.Pin.board.X1");
await device.ExecuteAsync("pin = pyb.Pin.board.Y2");

Pin Functions

• X1-X12: GPIO pins with 5V tolerance
• Y1-Y12: GPIO pins (3.3V only)
• A0-A7: ADC inputs (Y11, Y12, X11, X12, etc.)
• SPI1/SPI2: Hardware SPI interfaces
• I2C1/I2C2: Hardware I2C interfaces
• UART1-UART6: Hardware UART interfaces

Special Features

Real-Time Clock (RTC)

[Task]
public async Task<string> GetTimeAsync() =>
    await ExecuteAsync<string>("str(pyb.RTC().datetime())");

[Task]
public async Task SetTimeAsync(int year, int month, int day, int hour, int minute, int second) =>
    await ExecuteAsync($"pyb.RTC().datetime(({year}, {month}, {day}, 0, {hour}, {minute}, {second}, 0))");

Built-in Accelerometer (PyBoard v1.1)

[Task]
public async Task<string> ReadAccelerometerAsync() =>
    await ExecuteAsync<string>("str(pyb.Accel().filtered_xyz())");

Firmware Updates

DFU Mode

1. Connect PyBoard while holding USR switch
2. PyBoard appears as DFU device
3. Use pydfu.py or DFU tools to flash firmware

Using pydfu.py

# Download from micropython.org
python pydfu.py -u firmware.dfu

Related Documentation

• Hardware Compatibility - PyBoard compatibility details
• Connection Types - Serial connection setup
• Getting Started - Basic Belay.NET setup
• Sensor Reading Examples - PyBoard sensor projects

Need immediate help? Check MicroPython PyBoard documentation or our GitHub Discussions.