Kitronik 5697 - Environmental Control Board for BBC micro:bit

Description

Environmental control board for BBC micro:bit enables automated systems that react to changes in environmental conditions, including plant watering systems and greenhouse control applications. BBC micro:bit V1 or V2 plugs directly into the integrated edge connector. The onboard BME280 measures temperature, barometric pressure and humidity, while the RTC real-time clock enables time-based functions.

Two 1 A high-power outputs are available for controlling external devices, including water pumps, fans and heater pads. The board also provides a servo output, piezo buzzer, three status ZIP LEDs and a ZIP LED expansion connector. BBC micro:bit pins P0, P1 and P2 are additionally broken out to pads for crocodile clip connections, together with 3 V and GND, allowing additional sensors and actuators to be connected.

Power can be supplied from three AA batteries or through a 2.1 mm DC jack with a maximum input voltage of 5 V. The onboard regulator provides 3 V to the BBC micro:bit through the edge connector, so the microcontroller does not require a separate power source. A power switch controls the board supply, while a green LED indicates that power is on. The board also includes a solar panel input that can be used to charge rechargeable batteries installed in the 3 x AA holder.

Programming is supported in Microsoft MakeCode, with a dedicated Kitronik extension providing custom blocks for reading sensors and controlling connected devices. The board can also be programmed without the dedicated extension using MakeCode Blocks, JavaScript or Python. Direct control of some functions, including I2C communication, requires more advanced programming knowledge. Applications include environmental automation, data logging, automatic watering, lighting control and other feedback-based systems.

Features

• Sensors and functions
  
  • BME280 environmental sensor
  • Temperature measurement
  • Barometric pressure measurement
  • Humidity measurement
  • RTC real-time clock
  • Piezo buzzer
  • 3 x status ZIP LED
• Inputs and outputs
  
  • 2 x 1 A high-power output
  • Outputs suitable for pumps, fans and heater pads
  • 1 x servo output
  • 1 x ZIP LED expansion connector
  • BBC micro:bit pins broken out: P0, P1 and P2
  • Pads for crocodile clip connections
  • 3 V and GND connections
  • Integrated BBC micro:bit edge connector
  • Solar panel input
• Power supply
  
  • Integrated holder for 3 AA batteries
  • 2.1 mm DC power jack
  • Maximum DC input voltage: 5 V
  • Regulated 3 V supply for BBC micro:bit
  • Charging support for rechargeable batteries using a connected solar panel
  • Power switch
  • Green power indicator LED
• Programming and compatibility
  
  • Compatible with BBC micro:bit V1 and V2
  • Programming in Microsoft MakeCode
  • Dedicated Kitronik extension for MakeCode
  • Support for MakeCode Blocks
  • JavaScript support
  • Python support
• Dimensions
  
  • Length: 74.5 mm
  • Width: 66 mm
  • Height: 29 mm
• Required components
  
  • BBC micro:bit V1 or BBC micro:bit V2
  • 3 x AA battery or suitable power supply for the 2.1 mm DC jack

Kit includes

• 1 x Kitronik 5697 Environmental Control Board