Makecode Extension for 4tronix BitCommander

This library provides a Microsoft Makecode extension for 4tronix Bit:Commander, see https://4tronix.co.uk/bitcommander/.

The BitCommander can be used as a stand-alone device, or it can be used to remotely control other Microbit devices such as robots, using the Microbit's inbuilt radio blocks. You can easily write a probram to send a radio message when the buttons are pressed or the joystick value changes.

Reading the buttons

There are 5 buttons that can be checked: Red, Yellow, Green and Blue on the left and the Joystick on the right can be pressed as well If the button is pressed it will return true. If it isn't pressed, then it returns false.

The following code checks the Green button and, if pressed, scrolls "Green" on the Microbit display:

if (bitcommander.readButton(BCButtons.Green)) {
    basic.showString("Green")
}

You can also respond directly to a button press or release event using the onEvent(...) block. The following code runs when the Blue button is pressed and scrolls "Blue" on the Microbit display:

bitcommander.onEvent(BCPins.Blue, BCEvents.Down, function () {
    basic.showString("Blue")
})

Reading the position of the Dial

When writing code, be aware that the Dial control input is shared with the speaker output and so the input range is limited to around 0 - 850 instead of the normal 0 - 1023. Use the readDial(...) block to get the value (0 to ~850) into a variable, or test the value directly

Read the Dial value:

bitcommander.readDial()

Reading the position of the Joystick

Both the X and Y axes of the joystick have a range 0 to 1023. Specify the axis as part of the readJoystick(...) function call. Use the readJoystick(...) block to get the value.

eg.Read the Joystick X axis value in to the xAxis variable:

bitcommander.readJoystick(BCJoystick.X)

Playing music

There is a small speaker on Bit:Commander wired to Pin 0, which is the default for playing music files. Use the standard Microbit Music blocks for this:

Play The Entertainer music clip:

music._playDefaultBackground(music.builtInPlayableMelody(Melodies.Entertainer), music.PlaybackMode.UntilDone)

Fireled helpers

The Bit:Commander has 6 Fireleds The default update mode is automatic so LEDs will be updated immediately after changes

Set all leds to Red:

bitcommander.setLedColor(0xff0000)

Clear all leds:

bitcommander.ledClear()

Set Fireled at position 1 to Green (Fireleds are numbered 0 to 5):

bitcommander.setPixelColor(1, 0x00ff00)

Show rainbow across all Fireleds (Red..Violet):

bitcommander.ledRainbow()

Shift FireLeds up one place, blanking the first FireLed:

bitcommander.ledShift()

Rotate FireLeds by shifting up one and replace the first with the last:

bitcommander.ledRotate()

Set brightness of leds:

bitcommander.ledBrightness(100);

Supported targets

• for PXT/microbit

License

MIT