BitGadget Kit

I Introduction
BitGadget Kit is a project kit for micro:bit intermediate users. It develops a micro:bit
expansion board called BitMaker which consists of a programmable RGB LED, a
buzzer and 6 Grove ports. Up to 9 Grove modules are included in the kit to boost your
creativity: rotary angle sensor, light sensor, sound sensor, button, ultrasonic sensor,
mini fan, vibration motor, servo and RGB LED strip. If you are already an experienced
micro:bit user, you can also buy more Grove modules in Seeed to create other exciting
projects.

II Modules
BitGadget Kit provides a series of items as follows: 1 BitMaker, 9 Grove modules, 1
micro USB cable and a pack of typical connection wire. Below is an information table
about the module details. You can click on one of the small images to see a large
version of the modules or click “More Info” to know more about them.

Name Image Detail

BitMaker is a credit
card-sized, plug and
play expansion board
that bridges Grove
modules with a
micro:bit. It
incorporates an inbuilt
speaker for playing
music and 6 Grove
BitMaker
ports (one is an I2C
port) that allows
micro:bit to connect to
hundreds of modules,
such as sensors,
actuators,
communication
modules and
displays. More Info
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Name Image Detail

Ultrasonic sensor is
an input module for
detecting objects in a
measurement range
about 20-400 cm. By
Ultrasonic measuring the time
Sensor between transmitting
and receiving the
ultrasound, it’s able to
calculate the distance
to an obstacle. More
Info

Mini fan is an output

module composed of
a DC motor, a drive
board and the fan
leaves. The motor
can rotate when
there’s a high level
input produced and
stay at rest when
there’s a low level
Mini Fan
input produced. It is
commonly applied to
making a fan
creation. The fan
leaves are made of
soft materials to
protect you from any
harm even when it’s
rotating rapidly. More
Info

Rotary angle sensor

is an input module
that converts the
angular position of a
shaft into a digital
Rotary Angle
output signal when
Sensor
rotated. Through the
digital signal, we can
know if the rotary
angle sensor is
rotated clockwise or
counterclockwise. A

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Name Image Detail

clockwise rotation
ordinarily produces
an increased value
(e.g. increase in
brightness), whereas
a counterclockwise
rotation produces a
decreased value (e.g.
decrease in
brightness). More Info

Sound sensor
converts the analog
signal of the sound
wave into a digital
signal in a value
range from 0 to 1023.
Comparing the digital
Sound Sensor
signal with a specified
value, we are able to
know the signal
comes from a quiet or
noisy
environment. More
Info

Light sensor is an
input module that can
convert a detected
ambient light into an
electrical output in the
circuit. The electrical
output is then
transformed into a
digital signal in a
Light Sensor
microcontroller.
Comparing the digital
signal with a specified
value, we are able to
know the signal
comes from a bright
or dark
environment. More
Info
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Name Image Detail

It is a momentary
push button, which
means that it will
immediately release
itself once you press
it down. As an input
Button module, it generates
a HIGH signal when
pressed and a LOW
signal when released.
It can work as a
switch for
circuits. More Info

Vibration motor is a
mini monitor that will
shake like a mute
Vibration
cellphone when
Motor
there’s a high level
input produced. More
Info

Servo is an output
module that
incorporates a DC
motor, a gear train,
an integrated circuit
and an output shaft.
The shaft of the servo
can be rotated and
maintain to a specific
Servo angular position by
sending a coded
signal to the circuit. A
common use of the
servo is in puppets
and robots, normally
with an angular
motion of between 0
and 180
degrees. More Info

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Name Image Detail

An RGB LED strip

contains 30
RGB LED adjustable LEDs. You
Strip can change their
RGB values to create
rainbow-like effect.

III Tutorials
Here are some related tutorials to help you get started with BitGadget Kit.

1. The LED Controller

1.1 Implementation

We’ll make a LED controller that shows different light displays by rotating the rotary
angle sensor.

1.2 Write a Program

Let’s go to MakeCode: https://makecode.microbit.org

Create a new project. Firstly add a “forever” block and connect the block “plot bar
graph of up to” into it. Then add a “analog read pin” block. Set the maximum as 1023,
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which is the greatest value that the rotary angle sensor can produce. Finally, connect
a “pause” block and set the time delay as 1,000 millisecond.

1.3 Connect a Device

Modules: micro:bit, BitMaker, rotary angle sensor

Straightly slide the micro:bit into BitMaker and be careful not to reverse it. Connect
the rotary angle sensor to the port labeled as P2 on the BitMaker. Then connect the
micro:bit to your PC with a USB cable. Check if the LED indicator on the micro:bit
lights up. If not, you need to unplug in the USB cable and connect it to the devices
again.

1.4 Download a Program

You have been introduced how to download a program in the previous tutorials, which
can be simply concluded into steps as: rename a program, click the “Download” button
and send it to the micro:bit.

1.5 Run a Program

Turn on the switch on the BitMaker and see if the micro:bit can work normally.

2. Fun with LED Strip

2.1 Implementation

Let’s take the challenge to another level. In this project, we’ll make the RGB LED strip
blink red when the micro:bit tilts left, and blink yellow when it tilts right.

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2.2 Write a Program

Note that in MakeCode we don’t have blocks that control the Grove modules and
BitMaker. Therefore we need to add a MakeCode extension for the BitGadget Kit to
make sure that everything goes on well. Let’s learn how to do it now!
[How to Add the Extension of BitGadget Kit]
Go to MakeCode: https://makecode.microbit.org

Step 1 Click the gear icon (for settings) on the blue bar in MakeCode.

• Step 2 Select “Extensions” from the drop-down list which takes you to
the extensions page.
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• Step 3 Input the address of the BitGadget Kit extension into the search
box: https://github.com/TinkerGen/pxt-Bit-GadgetKit

If a prompt says that this extension does not exist, please close the browser and
try again.

• Step 4 Click the extension package which takes you back to the
homepage. You will see that the BitGadget Kit extension is then
successfully added.

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Let’s move to the task after we added the extension.

Firstly, we need to add the Neopixel extension. Let’s create a new project to go to the
workspace. Click “Extensions” from “Advanced” and select “Neopixel” from the pop-up
page.
Next, add an “on start” block. Confirm the LEDs quantity and set the color format.
Then, find out the block “on shake” from the tab “Input” and select “tilt left”. Connect a
“repeat 4 times” block from the “Loops” tab into the block “on tilt left”. These two blocks
together make the micro:bit repeat a designated action 4 times when it tilts left.
Similarly, if you select “tilt right”, the micro:bit will execute the same action when it tilts
right.
Select the block “strip show color red” from “neopixel” and connect it into the two blocks
above, and still keep the color as red. Connect the blocks “strip show” and “pause (ms)
500” underneath. Then, add the blocks “strip clear”, “strip show” and “pause (ms) 500”
by turns. The strip will blink when this program starts running. Similarly, when you
select “tilt right”, you just need to select a yellow color and repeat the steps above.
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2.3 Connect a Device

Modules: micro:bit, BitMaker, RGB LED strip

Straightly slide the micro:bit into BitMaker and be careful not to reverse it. Connect
the LED strip to the port labeled as P1 on the BitMaker. Then connect the micro:bit to
your PC with a USB cable. Check if the LED indicator on the micro:bit lights up. If
not, you need to unplug in the USB cable and connect it to the devices again.

2.4 Download a Program

You have been introduced how to download a program in the previous tutorials, which
can be simply concluded into steps as: rename a program, click the “Download” button
and send it to the micro:bit.

2.5 Run a Program

Turn on the switch on the BitMaker and see if the micro:bit can work normally.

3. The Secret Box

3.1 Implementation

We’ll use cardboard to make a gadget called secret box. If the box’s opened and it
senses there’s light outside, it will alarm and show an angry face to remind us that it
was opened by someone.

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3.2 Write a Program

[Still we use a same method in Tutorial 1 to add the BitGadget Kit extension.]
Create a new project to go to the workspace and add a “forever” block. Connect an “IF
THEN ELSE” statement into the “forever” block. Follow this program logic: if the light
sensor (we connect it to P1) produces a value greater than 300, then the micro:bit
alarms and displays an angry face. If the value is not greater than 300, the micro:bit
does not alarm nor show any faces.
Note: Make sure to selecting “analog read pin”. 300 is an adjustable value.

3.3 Connect a Device

Modules: micro:bit, BitMaker, light sensor

Straightly slide the micro:bit into BitMaker and be careful not to reverse it. Connect
the light sensor to the port labeled as P1 on the BitMaker. Then connect the micro:bit
to your PC with a USB cable. Check if the LED indicator on the micro:bit lights up. If
not, you need to unplug in the USB cable and connect it to the devices again.
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3.4 Download a Program

You have been introduced how to download a program in the previous tutorials, which
can be simply concluded into steps as: rename a program, click the “Download” button
and send it to the micro:bit.

3.5 Run a Program

Turn on the switch on the BitMaker and see if the micro:bit can work normally.

3.6 Create an Outer Case

Materials: cutting mat, cardboard (A4 size), pencil, scissors, craft knife, ruler, hot melt
glue & gun, plastic rivets (2 pieces, use double-sided tape instead if you don’t have
rivets)

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Combine the micro:bit and BitMaker to this device. Power on the whole gadget. You
can also decorate the box as you like. Once you complete all of the steps, let’s check
out how it works!

4. Automatic Door
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4.1 Implementation

Let’s use the ultrasonic sensor, micro:bit and BitMaker to make an automatic door.
When someone approaches, the door opens automatically.

4.2 Write a Program

[Still we use a same method in Tutorial 1 to add the BitGadget Kit extension.]
As usual, add a “forever” block. Follow this program logic: if the ultrasonic sensor
measures a distance less than 10, then the servo rotates to 80 degrees and pauses
for 3 seconds, else, it stays at rest (0 degrees) and pauses for 1 second. The angular
position and the time delay are adjustable.

4.3 Connect a Device

Modules: micro:bit, BitMaker, ultrasonic sensor, servo

Straightly slide the micro:bit into BitMaker and be careful not to reverse it. Connect
the ultrasonic sensor to the port labeled as P1 on the BitMaker, while connect the

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servo to P2. Then connect the micro:bit to your PC with a USB cable. Check if the
LED indicator on the micro:bit lights up. If not, you need to unplug in the USB cable
and connect it to the devices again.

4.4 Download a Program

You have been introduced how to download a program in the previous tutorials, which
can be simply concluded into steps as: rename a program, click the “Download” button
and send it to the micro:bit.

4.5 Run a Program

Turn on the switch on the BitMaker and see if the micro:bit can work normally.

4.6 Create an Outer Case

Materials: cutting mat, cardboard (A4 size), pencil, scissors, craft knife, ruler, hot melt
glue & gun, plastic rivets (2 pieces, use double-sided tape instead if you don’t have
rivets)
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Combine the micro:bit and BitMaker to this device. Power on the whole gadget. You
can also decorate the door as you like. Once you complete all of the steps, let’s check
out how it works!

III Course Materials

You can see course materials related to the micro:bit and BitGadget Kit on our online
learning platform Make2Learn via this address: https://make2learn.tinkergen.com/

IV Attachments
Attachment: BitGadget Kit Tutorial Source Code

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