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Installing CircuitPython

CircuitPython is a variant of MicroPython developed by Adafruit. It is a simplified version of Python, specifically for microcontrollers. CircuitPython is a great way to quickly and easily get started with programming microcontrollers. In this tutorial, we will show you how to install CircuitPython on your senseBox MCU-S2.

CircuitPython Logo

Installing CircuitPython​

To install CircuitPython on your senseBox MCU-S2, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the CircuitPython Download Page.
  2. Connect your senseBox MCU-S2 to your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Hold down the Boot button on the senseBox MCU-S2 and then press the Reset button. Release the Boot button.
  4. Click on the OPEN INSTALLER button and select Full CircuitPython X.X.X Install (X.X.X represents the latest CircuitPython version).
  5. Click Next and connect to your senseBox MCU-S2 in the next menu. Click the Connect button and select ESP32-S2 as the device.
  6. Click Continue and wait for the flash to be erased and the combined.bin file to be flashed. This process may take a few minutes.
  7. Press the Reset button on the senseBox MCU-S2 to start the bootloader. A new drive named senseBox will appear.
  8. Click Select Bootloader Drive and choose the senseBox drive.
  9. CircuitPython will now be loaded onto the MCU. After a few seconds, you should see a new drive named CIRCUITPY.
  10. CircuitPython has been successfully installed. The Web-Installer does not indicate that the process is complete, so you can simply close the Web-Installer.
  11. You can now use CircuitPython on your senseBox MCU-S2.

Hello World Programm​

To verify that CircuitPython has been successfully installed, we will show you a simple Hello World program.

  1. Visit the CircuitPython Editor.
  2. Connect your senseBox MCU-S2 to your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Connect to your senseBox MCU-S2 via USB.
  4. Click on Connect to Device and select senseBox MCU-S2 ESP32S2 as the device. You may need to allow the editor to access your senseBox MCU-S2.
  5. Click on Select New Folder and choose the CIRCUITPY folder.
  6. You may need to allow file editing.
  7. Click on Use CIRCUITPY.
  8. Click on Open and open the code.py file.
  9. The file should already contain some example code. If not, insert the following code:
print("Hello World!")
  1. Click on Save + Run. You should now see Hello World! in the console.

Uninstalling CircuitPython​

If you want to uninstall CircuitPython from your senseBox MCU-S2 to use Arduino again, follow these steps:

  1. Enter bootloader mode by briefly pressing the Reset button and then briefly pressing the Boot button. The RGB LED should now light up green.
  2. Download the flash-arduino.uf2 file.
  3. Copy the flash-arduino.uf2 file to the senseBox drive.
  4. The senseBox MCU-S2 will now restart, and you can use Blockly or Arduino as usual.

Projects​