• The BBC micro:bit V2.21 is a best selling mini-computer ideal for making coding fun and easy to learn.
• It is a fantastic board for teaching students of different ages to program and create fun and creative projects.
• The micro:bit is completely programmable, so you can easily create your own games, music and even control robots.
• The micro:bit comes with neat hardware such as a 25 LED display, buttons, in-built speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and sensors for temperature, motion & light.

Description

The BBC micro:bit V2.21 is a mini-computer that has been designed to make coding fun and easy to learn. The micro:bit V2.21 is completely programmable so you can easily bring your ideas to life! From making games to creating music and even controlling robots. The micro:bit comes with neat hardware such as a 25 LED display, buttons, in-built speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and sensors for temperature, motion & light. What are you waiting for? Let’s get programming!

Details

If you are looking to start programming or would like an exciting device to get young people interested in coding – then the BBC micro:bit V2.21 is perfect for you!

Created by the BBC working in partnership with other brands, the micro:bit is a small, programmable computer that has been designed to inspire children and young people to learn about programming and electronics in a practical and fun way.

Measuring just 4cm x 5cm, this single board computer has an impressive ARM Cortex m4 processor and 512KB of flash, making it a capable little device. The micro:bit comes in 4 colours and has various individually programmable inputs and outputs including a 5×5 LED matrix display, buttons, speakers and microphone. The micro:bit also features a temperature sensor, accelerometer, touch-sensitive logo, and a built-in sleep/off mode.

It is compatible with lots of free online code editors designed for different knowledge levels across a number of different programming languages so you can find something to suit how you want to learn or teach. There are endless amounts of free projects, lesson plans and activities to try, so there is every reason to start your micro:bit journey today.

The BBC micro:bit V2.21 Diagram

Key Features of the micro:bit V2.21

• 25 LED matrix on the board where you can scroll messages or display numbers
• Accelerometer to detect movement or tilting
• Compass
• Bluetooth connection to interact with the internet or other devices
• 2 user input buttons
• Micro USB connection to use with PC for programming
• Port for a battery pack
• ARM Cortex-M4 CPU
• Built-in speaker and microphone
• 20 pin edge connector along the bottom of the board

What’s new with the micro:bit V2.21?

The BBC micro:bit launched in 2016 and has been a huge success globally, completely transforming the way children learnt about computing digitally. All of the features everyone loves about the micro:bit have stayed whilst some new ones have been added. The micro:bit V2.21 board is backwards compatible with other micro:bit boards, ecosystems and accessories. So you don’t have to worry about replacing any equipment you have.

We have highlighted some of the key differences between the board versions below:

• New built in-built speaker & microphone.
• Memory has increased by 700% from 16KB to128KB RAM and 256KB to 512KB flash which gives the device much more capability.
• The CPU has been upgraded from a Cortex m0 at 16MHz to a Cortex m4 with a floating-point at 64MHz.
• The golden edge connectors have small indentations that allow much easier prototyping with crocodile clips that won’t keep falling off.
• The board can now provide 200mA to accessories, up from 90mA in the previous board version.
• Extra input capability is achieved with the touch sensor to accompany the existing two buttons.
• Version 2 now has a power LED and can be switched off instead of having to remove batteries
• Able to support both AI and machine learning.

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation released a minor revision of the micro:bit V2 that replaces one of the chips on the board.

This change does not impact the use of the micro:bit with the apps and editors.

If you’d like to know more about this, and future hardware changes, please subscribe to the Devices, Editors and DAL mailing list

What’s changed for v2.21?

We have changing the ‘interface processor’ of the micro:bit V2. This is the part of the micro:bit responsible for managing USB communication, for example showing the MICROBIT drive, and helping you program the device. It runs the micro:bit firmware. The chip that runs user programs has not changed.

There are no changes to the user experience, features or behaviour of the micro:bit.

Why have you made this change?

Due to the pandemic, there are global problems with the production of the silicon chips that are in so many everyday items from cars and games consoles to washing machines and phones.

This change is necessary in order to continue production of the BBC micro:bit during this supply chain disruption.

How does it affect me?

You do not need to distinguish between the micro:bit V2.0 and V2.21 in everyday use.

You do not need to modify your programs, scripts, editors or printed resources. Any hex files you have that work on micro:bit V2 will work on the updated micro:bit V2.2

This revision will still be referred to as a “micro:bit V2”, but will have the revision number V2.21 (compared to V2.0 for the existing micro:bit V2).

Although most users will never need to update their firmware, the micro:bit firmware update page has been enhanced to guide users through identifying their board when performing a firmware update, as V2.21 requires a different firmware build.

Getting Started with the micro:bit

The micro: bit is super easy to use. You don’t need lots of complicated peripherals to get started – all you need is a PC or mobile device to programme it on. To get started you will need:

• A micro:bit and battery pack with 2 AAA batteries
• A computer, phone or tablet with internet access code editors to programme your micro:bit
• If you’re using a computer, a USB lead to connect your micro:bit
• For building and making projects with your micro:bit, some extra items that are great to have include headphones, crocodile clip leads and conductive materials such as aluminium foil and paper clips.

Once the micro:bit is programmed it will then stay in the flash memory and you can run it every time as many times as desired. Then you can re-programme it when you want to try a different project, 1 programme can be held at a time.

Contents:

• 1 x micro:bit V2.21 board
• 1 x Quick start guide