Controlling Hardware Timers on the Raspberry Pi Pico using MicroPython

In this session, we’re all about getting a hardware timer under control.
The cool part? We’ll be using that timer to make an LED blink on and off every second.
This is a fun twist on working with the basic LED you probably see in a bunch of different projects.
So, let’s dive in and start toggling that light!.

Alright, let’s kick things off by clearing out the old code and designating pin 25 as the LED pin – that’s where the magic happens! Usually, if you want to toggle an LED every second, you’d go the route of using ‘front time,’ ‘Vault sleep,’ and a while loop.
That method is pretty straightforward, just flipping the LED’s state between off and on.
But, for this guide, we’re going to spice things up by using a hardware timer to get that toggling action going.
Trust me, it’s a cool way to achieve that effect!.

To kick things off, you’ve got to initialize the timer.
This step is super important because it makes sure your timing operations are spot on and dependable.
Then, you’ll want to specify the timer period in milliseconds, which really helps you nail down those timing intervals with precision.
So, if you want accurate control, these steps are essential!.

Let’s dive into the timer modes you can find in MicroPython! First up, the timer dip periodic mode; this handy feature lets your timer execute tasks at regular one-second intervals, making it great for anything that needs a consistent timing.
Then there’s the one-shot mode —perfect for when you need to run a task just once after a delay.
Don’t forget about the fallback function, often called something like “timeout”; this is super important because it defines what happens once the timer cycle is completed and even gives you access to the timer itself for extra coding possibilities.
Overall, this timer setup is flexible enough for anything from simple delays to managing really complex tasks!.

So, let’s talk about the timer that’s part of the machine module – it’s super crucial for hardware control! First off, you need to initialize it and declare an instance.
When you kick off the timer instance, you’re setting the period to a cool 1 second, all in milliseconds, and you can opt for a periodic mode for that repeating action.
If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a one-shot mode too, which will make the timer execute just once.
You also designate a function name, like ‘timeout’, that kicks in every time the timer goes off.
And voila! The LED lights up and dims every second, giving you a perfect demonstration of how the timer operates..

In our recent session, we dove into how to control a hardware timer using MicroPython.
This not only boosted our understanding but also sharpened our skills in nailing down precise timing operations.
Looking ahead, you can expect upcoming sessions to cover fresh topics, ensuring there’s always something new to learn!.