Program, build, and master over 50 projects with MicroPython and the RP2040 microprocessor The Raspberry Pi Pico is a high-performance microcontroller module designed especially for physical computing. Microcontrollers differ from single-board computers, like the Raspberry Pi 4, in not having an operating system. The Raspberry Pi Pico can be programmed to run a single task very efficiently within real-time control and monitoring applications requiring speed. The ‘Pico’ as we call it, is based on the fast, efficient, and low-cost dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ RP2040 microcontroller chip running at up to 133 MHz and sporting 264 KB of SRAM, and 2 MB of Flash memory. Besides its large memory, the Pico has even more attractive features including a vast number of GPIO pins, and popular interface modules like ADC, SPI, I²C, UART, and PWM. To cap it all, the chip offers fast and accurate timing modules, a hardware debug interface, and an internal temperature sensor. The Raspberry Pi Pico is easily programmed using popular high-level languages such as MicroPython and or C/C++. This book is an introduction to using the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller in conjunction with the MicroPython programming language. The Thonny development environment (IDE) is used in all the projects described. There are over 50 working and tested projects in the book, covering the following topics: Installing the MicroPython on Raspberry Pi Pico using a Raspberry Pi or a PC Timer interrupts and external interrupts Analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) projects Using the internal temperature sensor and external temperature sensor chips Datalogging projects PWM, UART, I²C, and SPI projects Using Wi-Fi and apps to communicate with smartphones Using Bluetooth and apps to communicate with smartphones Digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) projects All projects given in the book have been fully tested and are working. Only basic programming and electronics experience is required to follow the projects. Brief descriptions, block diagrams, detailed circuit diagrams, and full MicroPython program listings are given for all projects described. Readers can find the program listings on the Elektor web page created to support the book.
Projects with Arduino, ESPHome, Home Assistant, and Raspberry Pi & Co.
This e-book contains various example projects, beginning with an introduction to electronics. It also explains how to install Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi, how to use indoor climate sensors for temperature and humidity, how to implement the MQTT protocol and other interfaces, and how to use ESPHome to integrate sensors and actuators into Home Assistant. Numerous video tutorials complement the book.
Fundamentals of electrical engineering
The book begins with an introduction to electrical engineering. You will learn the basics of voltage, current, resistors, diodes and transistors.
Arduino and microcontrollers
A complete section is dedicated to the Arduino Uno. You will get to know the structure, write your first programs and work on practical examples.
Home Assistant and automation
You will learn how to set up Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi and how to use automations, scenes and devices. In addition, Zigbee, MQTT and ESP-NOW – important technologies for home automation – will be discussed.
ESP8266, ESP32 and ESP32-CAM
The popular ESP microcontrollers are covered in detail. A theoretical introduction is followed by practical projects that show you how to get the most out of these devices.
Sensors and actuators
The book explains the functionality and application of numerous sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors, motion detectors and RFID readers. For actuators, stepper motors, e-ink displays, servo motors and much more are covered. There are practical application examples for all devices.
ESPHome
This chapter shows you how to integrate sensors and actuators into Home Assistant without any programming effort. You will be guided step by step through the setup with ESPHome.
LEDs and lighting technology
In this chapter, you will learn about different types of LEDs and how they can be used. The basics of lighting technology are also explained.
Node-RED
A whole chapter is dedicated to Node-RED. You will learn the basics of this powerful tool and be guided step by step through its setup and use.
Integrated Circuits (ICs)
In electronics, there are numerous ICs that make our lives easier. You will get to know the most important ones and apply your knowledge in practical projects.
Professional programming
Advanced topics such as the correct use of buttons, the use of interrupts and the use of an NTP server for time synchronisation are covered in detail in this chapter.
Downloads
GitHub
35 Projekte mit Raspberry Pi und Arduino
Das Internet of Things (Internet der Dinge) ist eine unumkehrbare Entwicklung. Wir möchten gerne alles im Haus mit unserem Smartphone oder Tablet erledigen – von Facebook bis Fernsehen, Lampen steuern oder die Heizungstemperatur einstellen.
In diesem Buch stellen wir 35 interessante und nützliche Projekte vor, die demonstrieren, wie Sie selbst ein Internet-of-Things-System anlegen können. Wir gehen auf die Hardware ein, einer perfekten Symbiose von Raspberry Pi und Arduino, und entwickeln die Software, die eine Steuerung über das Internet verwirklicht. Wir setzen dabei WLAN- und Funkverbindungen ein und vermeiden so einen Kabelsalat im Haus.
Wenn Sie die Projekte aufbauen, verfügen Sie über ein vollständiges Internet-of-Things-System, mit dem Sie alles im Haus bedienen, steuern und überwachen können, zum Beispiel ob Post im Briefkasten steckt oder das Auto in der Garage steht. Sie können bequem vom Sofa aus das Licht einschalten oder die Alarmanlage aktivieren/deaktivieren. Durch die ausführlichen Erläuterungen wird es Ihnen ein Leichtes sein, Projekte anzupassen, um zum Beispiel die Kaffeemaschine oder das Fernsehgerät aus der Ferne ein- und auszuschalten. Über den Index finden Sie leicht kreative Projekte, die Ihnen als Ausgangspunkt für eigene Entwicklungen dienen können, mit denen Sie selber alles, was Sie wollen, mit dem Internet verbinden können.
This bundle includes the Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 Starter Kit and the new book "Experimenting with Red Pitaya STEMlab Gen 2".
The Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 Starter Kit is a powerful and flexible platform for signal processing, data acquisition, and electronic measurement applications. Designed for engineers, developers, researchers, and educators, this kit provides everything required to start building advanced measurement and control systems.
At the core of the kit is the STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 board, an upgraded and ultra-lightweight development platform. Powered by the Xilinx Zynq-7010 SoC with 512 MB of RAM, it combines FPGA programmability with ARM processing power to enable high-performance instrumentation and custom signal-processing solutions.
The board offers 14-bit ADC and DAC resolution, a 125 MS/s sampling rate, an input range of ±20 V, and up to 60 MHz bandwidth. Its improved low-noise analog front-end, USB-C connectivity, and compact design make it suitable for demanding applications such as RF development, radar systems, photonics research, software-defined radio (SDR), and industrial automation.
The Starter Kit includes all essential accessories for immediate use: a microSD card with preinstalled operating system, power supply, Ethernet cable for remote access, two 100 MHz oscilloscope probes, and SMA-to-BNC adapters for flexible signal connections.
The Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 Starter Kit is an excellent platform for rapid prototyping, FPGA development, measurement instrumentation, and advanced electronics experimentation.
Features
14-bit ADC and DAC resolution
125 MS/s sampling rate
±20 V input range
Up to 60 MHz bandwidth
Xilinx Zynq-7010 SoC (FPGA + ARM processor)
512 MB RAM
Low-noise analog front- and back-ends
Applications
RF development and testing
Radar and wireless systems
Software-defined radio (SDR)
Photonics and optical research
Industrial automation and control systems
Signal analysis and instrumentation
Rapid prototyping of electronic measurement systems
Specifications
Processor
Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9
FPGA
AMD Xilinx Zynq-7010 SoC
RAM
512 MB (4 Gb)
Storage
microSD card (up to 32 GB)
Operating System
Linux-based Red Pitaya OS
ADC Resolution
14-bit
DAC Resolution
14-bit
Bandwidth
60 MHz (DC)
Sampling Rate
125 MS/s
Analog Input Channels
2
Analog Output Channels
2
Input Voltage Range
±1 V (LV) / ±20 V (HV)
Input Impedance
1 MΩ / 10 pF
Output Voltage Range
±1 V
Ethernet
1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45)
USB
2x USB-C 2.0 (for power and console)
Digital I/O
16x GPIO (3.3 V)
Communication Interfaces
I²C, SPI, UART, CAN
Power Supply
5 V/3 A via USB-C
Dimensions
106.8 x 60.0 x 17.9 mm
Included
1x Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 board
2x 100 MHz oscilloscope probes
2x SMA-to-BNC adapters
1x microSD card with preinstalled OS
1x USB-C Power supply
1x Ethernet cable
Downloads
Documentation
Schematics
Book: Experimenting with Red Pitaya STEMlab Gen 2
With this new book, Red Pitaya goes beyond a versatile board. It becomes a powerful laboratory instrument for precision measurement, analysis, and control.
From the fundamentals of electronic project development, monitoring, control, and design to testing, this book walks you step-by-step through everything you need to know to harness the full potential of Red Pitaya hardware and software.
The book presents real-time, FPGA-based projects that are developed on a PC using the Vivado environment, then transferred to the Red Pitaya for execution and testing.
You will learn about enhanced performance, expanded I/O capabilities, improved FPGA features, and advanced connectivity options that open up new frontiers for precision measurement, monitoring, and control in your embedded applications.
Inside the book you will discover:
A deep dive into Red Pitaya architecture and hardware design
Electronic experiments using Red Pitaya for measurement and monitoring
Hands-on projects using the Python programming language
Practical guidance for FPGA programming using Red Pitaya
Red Pitaya FPGA projects using the Verilog HDL under Vivado IDE
Practical design of electronic projects including measurement and testing
Step-by-step examples that bridge theory and real-world implementation
Whether you are designing your own electronic circuits, developing signal analysis tools, or creating real-time control or monitoring systems, this book provides you the knowledge and confidence you need to fully learn and customize the Red Pitaya platform.
Vom Messwert zur stabilen Entscheidung
Wie wird aus einem einfachen Mikrocontroller ein intelligentes System, das Sensorwerte erfasst, verarbeitet und sinnvoll darauf reagiert? Dieses Buch zeigt es Ihnen Schritt für Schritt – verständlich, praxisnah und ohne unnötige Vorkenntnisse.
Sie beginnen mit den Grundlagen der digitalen und analogen Ein- und Ausgänge. Anschließend lernen Sie, wie Sensorwerte gelesen, geglättet und zuverlässig bewertet werden. Anschauliche Beispiele erklären, warum einzelne Messwerte oft täuschen können und wie Mittelwertbildung, Hysterese und einfache Entscheidungsregeln für stabile Ergebnisse sorgen. Nach und nach erweitern Sie Ihre Projekte um Displays, I²C-Kommunikation und mehrere vernetzte Mikrocontroller. So entstehen verteilte Systeme, in denen Raspberry Pi Pico und ATtiny-Controller Daten austauschen und gemeinsam Aufgaben übernehmen.
Im fortgeschrittenen Teil erhalten Sie einen leicht verständlichen Einstieg in Merkmalsbildung, Datenvorverarbeitung, hybride Entscheidungsmodelle und TinyML-nahe Anwendungen. Dabei verbinden Sie klassische Regelungstechnik mit modernen datenbasierten Methoden.
Alle Projekte werden von ausführlich kommentierten Programmen in C und MicroPython begleitet. Das Buch richtet sich an Einsteiger, Maker, Studierende und alle, die Embedded-Systeme von Grund auf verstehen möchten.
Am Ende können Sie eigene Systeme entwickeln, die nicht nur messen, sondern Informationen auswerten, zuverlässige Entscheidungen treffen und gezielt reagieren.
Pfiffige Lösungen mit Arduino Pro Mini und ATmega328-Boards
Mit einem einfachen Arduino Pro Mini Board und ein paar weiteren Bauteilen lassen sich heute für wenig Geld Projekte realisieren, die vor 20 oder 30 Jahren noch undenkbar waren oder ein kleines Vermögen gekostet hätten. Von einfachen LED-Effekten bis zur Ladestation – die den Akku auf Herz und Nieren prüft – ist in diesem Buch vieles dabei.
Als Mikrocontroller dient bei allen beschriebenen Projekten der ATmega328, der mit seinen 20 Ein- und Ausgangsleitungen unzählige Möglichkeiten zum Messen, Schalten und Steuern bietet. Mit einem 7-Segment-Display und ein paar Widerständen lässt sich daraus z. B. ein Voltmeter bauen oder mittels NTC ein Thermometer. Die Arduino-Plattform bietet dabei die perfekte Entwicklungsumgebung zum Programmieren der Boards.
Neben den ganz konkreten Projekten soll das Buch aber auch das nötige Wissen vermitteln, um eigene Ideen zu realisieren. Wie misst man was? Welches ist der geeignete Transistor, um verschiedene Verbraucher zu schalten? Wann ist man mit einem IC besser bedient, oder wie schaltet man Netzspannung? Auch batteriebetriebene Projekte mit LilyPad sind ausführlich thematisiert. Ebenso vielerlei Motoren, vom einfachen Gleichstrommotor bis zum Schrittmotor.
Sensoren sind ein weiteres spannendes Thema. Nur zwei Beispiele: Mit einem winzigen Bauteil lässt sich tatsächlich messen, dass der Luftdruck am Fußboden höher ist als auf Tischhöhe. Mit einem simplen Infrarot-Empfänger kann man ausgedienten Fernbedienungen ein zweites Leben schenken und die Wohnung damit steuern.
With Examples for Arduino UNO, Raspberry Pi Pico and ESP32
Programming small electronic systems has never been more accessible. Tasks that once demanded expensive tools, specialized hardware, and deep electrical engineering expertise can now be tackled with low-cost development boards and approachable software. At the centre of this shift is the Arduino environment, which provides a unified and familiar way to program a wide range of microcontroller platforms—from classic AVR boards like the Arduino UNO to modern ARM-based boards such as the Raspberry Pi Pico, and powerful Wi-Fi-enabled devices like the ESP32.
This book introduces embedded programming through the core idea that defines all microcontrollers: reading inputs, processing information, and controlling outputs in a predictable loop. The Arduino environment abstracts much of the hardware complexity, allowing you to focus on behaviour rather than implementation details. With just a few lines of code, you can blink LEDs, read sensors, control motors, and communicate with other devices.
While the Arduino UNO, Raspberry Pi Pico, and ESP32 boards differ greatly in performance and features, they share the same fundamental building blocks: digital and analog I/O, timers, serial communication, PWM, interrupts, and power management. Learning these concepts within the Arduino framework builds skills that transfer easily across platforms and scale toward more advanced applications.
By exploring multiple boards while maintaining a consistent programming approach, this book helps you progress from simple experiments to confidently produce well-structured designs—showing that embedded development can be both practical and enjoyable.
This bundle contains the popular Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi Pico and the new Elektor Laser Head Upgrade, offering even more options for displaying the time. Not only can you "engrave" the current time in sand, you can now alternatively write it on a glow-in-the-dark foil or create green drawings.
Contents of the bundle
Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi Pico (normal price: €50)
Elektor Laser Head Upgrade for Sand Clock (normal price: €35)
Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi-based Eye Catcher)
A standard sand clock just shows how time passes. In contrast, this Raspberry Pi Pico-controlled sand clock shows the exact time by "engraving" the four digits for hour and minute into the layer of sand. After an adjustable time the sand is flattened out by two vibration motors and everything begins all over again.
At the heart of the sand clock are two servo motors driving a writing pen through a pantograph mechanism. A third servo motor lifts the pen up and down. The sand container is equipped with two vibration motors to flatten the sand. The electronic part of the sand clock consists of a Raspberry Pi Pico and an RTC/driver board with a real-time clock, plus driver circuits for the servo motors.
A detailed construction manual is available for downloading.
Features
Dimensions: 135 x 110 x 80 mm
Build time: approx. 1.5 to 2 hours
Included
3x Precut acrylic sheets with all mechanical parts
3x Mini servo motors
2x Vibration motors
1x Raspberry Pi Pico
1x RTC/driver board with assembled parts
Nuts, bolts, spacers, and wires for the assembly
Fine-grained white sand
Elektor Laser Head Upgrade for Sand Clock
The new Elektor Laser Head transforms the Sand Clock into a clock that writes the time on glow-in-the-dark film instead of sand. In addition to displaying the time, it can also be used to create ephemeral drawings. The 5 mW laser pointer, with a wavelength of 405 nm, produces bright green drawings on the glow-in-the-dark film. For best results, use the kit in a dimly lit room. Warning: Never look directly into the laser beam!
The kit includes all the necessary components, but soldering three wires is required.
Note: This kit is also compatible with the original Arduino-based Sand Clock from 2017. For more details, see Elektor Magazine 1-2/2017 and Elektor Magazine 1-2/2018.
Open-Source-Code mit Arduino IDE und PlatformIO
Autonomes Fahren: GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroskop
PS3-Controller
Mikrocontroller wie der Arduino und Einplatinenrechner wie der Raspberry Pi haben sich zu beliebten Komponenten entwickelt. Dritter im Bunde ist der ESP32 der Firma Espressif. Mikrocontroller dieser Baureihe zeichnen sich durch eine Vielzahl implementierter Funktionen aus, die bei einem Arduino konventioneller Prägung mit einem Atmel-AVR-Mikrocontroller erst mit weiterer Hardware möglich sind. Prominentes Beispiel sind hier die WiFi- und Bluetooth-Funktionalitäten. Gegenüber einem Raspberry Pi zeichnen sie sich durch einen deutlich geringeren Preis aus.
Allgemeine Informationen für die Realisierung eines Roboterauto-Projekts mit dem ESP32 sind leicht zu finden. Dabei handelt es sich aber oft nur um Ausführungen zu einem Teilaspekt, ohne inhaltliche oder funktionale Abstimmung. So ist nicht nur die Beschaffung der benötigten Informationen mühselig und zeitaufwändig, sie kann auch außerordentlich fehlerträchtig sein.
Ansatzpunkt dieses Buches ist, diese Lücke zu schließen. Es geht auf verschiedene Möglichkeiten eines Chassis ein, vermittelt nötige Kenntnisse und führt schrittweise von einer einfachen Motorsteuerung zu einem komplexen sensor- und sprachgesteuerten Roboterauto. Hacks rund um GPS und eine PlayStation 3 runden die Sache ab.
Inhalt
Bei der Reihenfolge der Kapitel wurde versucht – beginnend bei der Darstellung von grundlegenden Informationen – über die Lösung einfacher Aufgaben zu etwas anspruchsvolleren Techniken zu führen.
Der Mikrocontroller ESP32
Die Software erstellen
Die Stromversorgung
Rund um die Hardware
Das Chassis
Der Gleichstrommotor
Kabellose Steuerung über WiFi
Mit Sensoren Hindernisse erkennen
Eine eigene Roboterauto-App
Servo und Lichtsensor
GPS
Accelerometer / Gyroskop
PS3-Controller
Roboterauto-App
Hinweis zur Software
Die Dateien haben das Suffix (.cpp). Grund ist die Entwicklung mit PlatformIO. Mit Copy & Paste sollten sie auch in der Arduino-IDE verwendet werden können.
Design IoT Projects with Raspberry Pi, Arduino and ESP32 The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a major application area for embedded systems. As a result, more and more people are becoming interested in learning about embedded design and programming. Technical colleges and universities are moving away from legacy 8 and 16-bit microcontrollers and are introducing 32-bit embedded microcontrollers to their curriculums. Many IoT applications demand precision, high processing power, and low power consumption. Produced by IBM, Node-RED is an open-source visual editor for wiring the Internet of Things. Node-RED comes with a large number of nodes to handle a multitude of tasks. The required nodes are selected and joined together to perform a particular task. Node-RED is based on flow type programming where nodes are configured and joined together to form an application program. There are nodes for performing complex tasks, including web access, Twitter, E-mail, HTTP, Bluetooth, MQTT, controlling GPIO ports, etc. One particularly nice aspect of Node-RED is that the programmer does not need to learn how to write complex programs. For example, an email can be sent by simply joining nodes together and writing only a few lines of code. The aim of this book is to teach how Node-RED can be used in projects. The main hardware platform used with most of the projects in this book is Raspberry Pi 4. Chapters are included to show how Node-RED can be also be used with Arduino Uno, ESP32 DevKitC, and the ESP8266 NodeMCU microcontroller development boards.
This USB stick holds a selection of more than 350 articles on RF, Radio and Communication published in Elektor Magazine. The content consists of both background articles and projects with the following topics:
Basic radio-related circuits as well as more complex circuits like filters, oscillators, and amplifiers.
Design, construction, and theory of antennas for transmitting and receiving radio signals efficiently.
Design and analysis of RF circuits including filters, mixers, PLLs, and frequency synthesizers. Tools and techniques for predicting radio wave propagation paths and measuring RF signal strength.
Techniques for processing digital signals in RF systems, including modulation and demodulation methods.
Projects on radio receivers, AM, FM, SSB, CW, DRM, DAB, DAB+, Software Defined Radio, and more.
Projects on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, and more.
You can use the article search function to locate specific content in the full text. The results are always shown as preformatted PDF documents. You can use Adobe Reader to browse articles, and you can use Adobe Reader’s integrated search functions to find instances of individual words and expressions.
