007 - MicroPython TechNotes: RGB LED

Jan 26, 2021 · 4 min read · esp32 micropython ESP32 RGB How to use RGB in MicroPython MicroPython RGB micropython tutorial RGB LED RGB MicroPython ·

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Introduction

In this article, we will look at RGB LED module. We will learn on how to use it to create cool and amazing projects.

Pinout

GND – for the ground pin.
VCC – for the supply voltage pin.
Red – for the control signal of the red LED.
Green – for the control signal of the green LED.
Blue – for the control signal of the blue LED.

Bill Of Materials

ESP32 development board.
Gorilla Cell ESP32 shield (optional).
5-pin dupont jumper wires.
RGB LED module.

Hardware Instruction

Attach the ESP32 development board on top of the Gorilla Cell ESP32 shield making sure that the pins are aligned and the both the USB port are on the same side, in my case it is in the left-hand side.
Attach the dupont jumper wires to RGB LED module according to the following color coding:
- black for the Ground.
- red for the VCC.
- yellow for the Red pin.
- white for the Green pin.
- blue for the Blue pin.
Attach the other side of the dupont jumper wires to the ESP32 by matching the colors of the dupont wires and the colors of the pin headers.
Attach a type-C USB cable to the ESP32 shield for external power supply.
Connect the ESP32 to computer by attaching a micro USB cable.

Software Instruction

Open the Thonny Python IDE. If you don’t have this installed, be sure to watch the article tutorial number 1.
Press the “Stop” button to let the Thonny Python IDE to connect to ESP32.
Create a new Python file by clicking the “New” button.
Copy and paste the provided source code below to your Thonny.
Press “Run the current script” to execute the code.
Enjoy and feel free to modify it according to your liking.

Video Demonstration

Call To Action

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Source Code

1. Example # 1, RGB basic ON or OFF:

 1from machine import Pin 
 2
 3r = Pin(23, Pin.OUT) 
 4g = Pin(25, Pin.OUT) 
 5b = Pin(26, Pin.OUT) 
 6
 7# The following code should be tested using the REPL 
 8
 9# r.on()  # Turn ON red LED. 
10# r.off() # Turn OFF red LED. 
11# g.value(1) # Turn ON green LED. 
12# g.value(0) # Turn OFF green LED. 
13# b.value(True)  # Turn ON blue LED. 
14# b.value(False) # Turn OFF blue LED.

2. Example # 2, basic RGB color combination:

 1from machine import Pin, PWM 
 2
 3r = Pin(23, Pin.OUT) 
 4g = Pin(25, Pin.OUT) 
 5b = Pin(26, Pin.OUT) 
 6
 7def set_rgb(x, y, z): 
 8    r.value(x) 
 9    g.value(y) 
10    b.value(z) 
11         
12def rst_rgb(): 
13    r.off() 
14    g.off() 
15    b.off() 
16
17# The following code should be tested using the REPL.
18     
19# This is to demonstrate for creating colors: 
20# set_rgb(1,0,0) # red 
21# set_rgb(0,1,0) # green 
22# set_rgb(0,0,1) # blue 
23# Or a combination of primary colors: 
24# set_rgb(1,1,0) # r + g = yellow 
25# set_rgb(0,1,1) # g + b = cyan 
26# set_rgb(1,0,1) # r + b = magenta 
27# set_rgb(1,1,1) # r+g+b = white

3. Example # 3, advance RGB color combination:

 1from machine import Pin, PWM  
 2
 3r = PWM(Pin(23)) 
 4g = PWM(Pin(25)) 
 5b = PWM(Pin(26)) 
 6
 7# Initialize the PWM frequency to 60Hz 
 8r.freq(60) 
 9g.freq(60) 
10b.freq(60) 
11
12# and Initialize with pulse turned OFF 
13r.duty(0) 
14g.duty(0) 
15b.duty(0) 
16
17def map(x, in_min, in_max, out_min, out_max): 
18    # This will not handle x value greater than in_max or 
19    #                      x value less than in_min 
20    return int((x - in_min) * (out_max - out_min) / (in_max - in_min) + out_min) 
21def set_rgb(x, y, z): 
22    # Maximum duty cycle is 1023 
23    # RGB values is usually 0 to 255 
24    # By using ratio and proportion 
25    r.duty(map(x, 0, 255, 0, 1023)) 
26    g.duty(map(y, 0, 255, 0, 1023)) 
27    b.duty(map(z, 0, 255, 0, 1023)) 
28         
29def rst_rgb(): 
30    # Turn off all pwm pulse 
31    r.duty(0) 
32    g.duty(0) 
33    b.duty(0)
34
35# The following code should be tested using the REPL.
36
37# This is to demonstrate for creating colors:  
38# set_rgb(255,0,0) # red  
39# set_rgb(0,255,0) # green  
40# set_rgb(0,0,255) # blue  
41# Or a combination of primary colors:  
42# set_rgb(255,255,0) # r + g = yellow  
43# set_rgb(0,255,255) # g + b = cyan  
44# set_rgb(255,0,255) # r + b = magenta  
45# set_rgb(255,255,255) # r+g+b = white

4. Example # 4, breathing RGB color:

 1from machine import Pin, PWM 
 2from time import sleep 
 3
 4r = PWM(Pin(23)) 
 5g = PWM(Pin(25)) 
 6b = PWM(Pin(26))
 7
 8# Initialize the PWM frequency to 60Hz 
 9r.freq(60) 
10g.freq(60) 
11b.freq(60) 
12# and Initialize with pulse turned OFF 
13r.duty(0) 
14g.duty(0) 
15b.duty(0) 
16
17while True: 
18    for i in range(1024): 
19        r.duty(i) 
20        #g.duty(i) 
21        #b.duty(i) 
22        sleep(0.001) 
23        
24    for i in range(1023, -1, -1): 
25        r.duty(i) 
26        #g.duty(i) 
27        #b.duty(i) 
28        sleep(0.001)

References And Credits

Purchased your kit at: gorillacell.kr