[Digi-Key Follow Me Issue 3] Task 1: Using the MicroPython System

Tristan_C

[Digi-Key Follow Me Issue 3] Task 1: Using the MicroPython System [Copy link]

 

Task 1: Using the MicroPython system

The Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 board requires the use of MicroPython for development, so Task 1 naturally requires the construction of a MicroPython system. The Thonny development tool is used here, which can be downloaded from the following path: https://thonny.org/ . Since it has been installed before in the development of other projects (such as RP2040), and the installation is simple, I will not repeat it here. After installation, open the software interface as shown below.

Next, let the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 board enter the burning state. There are two ways to enter:

1. Press and hold the BOOT button on the board, then connect it to the PC via USB, then release the button
2. First connect the board to the PC via a USB cable, then press and hold the BOOT button, then press and release the RESET button, then release the BOOT button

Here we use method 2, which is more convenient to operate. The buttons on the board are defined as shown below.

At this point, you can see in the lower right corner of Thonny that the board has been recognized. If it is not recognized correctly, you need to check whether the operation process and wiring are correct.

The device can also be found in the device manager

At this time, in the above discovered device list, click the configuration interpreter at the bottom.

You need to select the correct interpreter and port

Click the "Install or Update MicroPython (esptool)" button in the lower right corner and select the correct configuration item in the pop-up window. Click "Install" to start the installation

It should be noted that when installing the MicroPython system for the first time, it is best to check Erase all flash before installi in the above figure.

After the installation is complete, the prompt is as follows.

It can also be seen here that the Thonny environment is actually installed using the esptool recommended by Seeed's wiki. The official tutorial is as follows: https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/XIAO_ESP32C3_MicroPython/

Now reconnect the board to the PC and you can identify it on the Thoony development tool as follows. You can see the MicroPython version number and hardware information displayed. On the left, you can see the connected MicroPython device and the boot.py file on the device.

At this time, edit and input in the shell: print("Hello Digi-key"), and you can see the printed Hello Digi-key

This indicates that the MicroPython system is correctly burned onto the board.

Double-click the boot.py file on the left and edit print("Hello Digi-key")

Save and click the "Run current script" button in the figure below

You can see the printed content in the shell.

Using the Thonny development tool is indeed much more convenient than the step-by-step operation of esptool.