BBC micro:bit¶

Hardware¶

Platform Nordic nRF51: The Nordic nRF51 Series is a family of highly flexible, multi-protocol, system-on-chip (SoC) devices for ultra-low power wireless applications. nRF51 Series devices support a range of protocol stacks including Bluetooth Smart (previously called Bluetooth low energy), ANT and proprietary 2.4GHz protocols such as Gazell.

Configuration¶

Please use bbcmicrobit ID for board option in “platformio.ini” (Project Configuration File):

[env:bbcmicrobit]
platform = nordicnrf51
board = bbcmicrobit

You can override default BBC micro:bit settings per build environment using board_*** option, where *** is a JSON object path from board manifest bbcmicrobit.json. For example, board_build.mcu, board_build.f_cpu, etc.

[env:bbcmicrobit]
platform = nordicnrf51
board = bbcmicrobit

; change microcontroller
board_build.mcu = nrf51822

; change MCU frequency
board_build.f_cpu = 16000000L

Uploading¶

BBC micro:bit supports the following uploading protocols:

• cmsis-dap

• jlink

Default protocol is cmsis-dap

You can change upload protocol using upload_protocol option:

[env:bbcmicrobit]
platform = nordicnrf51
board = bbcmicrobit

upload_protocol = cmsis-dap

Debugging¶

Debugging - “1-click” solution for debugging with a zero configuration.

You can switch between debugging Tools & Debug Probes using debug_tool option in “platformio.ini” (Project Configuration File).

BBC micro:bit has on-board debug probe and IS READY for debugging. You don’t need to use/buy external debug probe.

Frameworks¶