pimoroni-pico/micropython/modules_py/automation.md

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Automation 2040 W MicroPython

This library offers convenient functions for interacting with Automation 2040 W and Automation 2040 W Mini - all-in-one, Pico W powered industrial/automation controllers with 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, relays and a plethora of inputs and outputs.

Table of Content

Automation Classes

The Automation2040W and Automation2040WMini classes deal with the initialisation of each of the board's functions. To create one, import the automation module, then define a new board variable:

For Automation 2040 W:

import automation

board = automation.Automation2040W()

For Automation 2040 W Mini:

import automation

board = automation.Automation2040WMini()

From here, all features can be accessed by calling functions on board. In addition, when using Qwiic / Stemma QT devices, the I2C channel to use can be accessed with board.i2c.

Automation 2040 W Mini has the same pinout as Automation 2040 W, but with fewer inputs, outputs and relays.

User Switches and LEDs

Automation 2040 W has two handy switches onboard with neighbouring LEDs, offering a tactile way to interact with your program and be notified of actions that need attention.

To read one of the switches, call .switch_pressed(switch), where switch is a value from 0 to .NUM_SWITCHES - 1. This returns True when the specified switch is pressed, and False otherwise.

To set a switch's neighbouring LED, call .switch_led(switch, brightness), where switch is a value from 0 to .NUM_SWITCHES - 1, and brightness is either True, False, or a number from 0.0 to 100.0.

To make it easier to use a specific switch or its LED, the automation module contains these handy constants:

  • SWITCH_A = 0
  • SWITCH_B = 1

Connectivity LED

In addition to the Switch LEDs, Automation 2040 W has a user-controllable connectivity LED near the top-right of the board.

To set this led, call .conn_led(brightness), where brightness is either True, False, or a number from 0.0 to 100.0.

Actuating the Relays

Three relays are featured on Automation 2040 W (one on the Mini version). By default these are in a released state, which connects the terminal labelled NC to COM. By actuating them, a connection from NO to COM can be made instead.

A relay can be actuated by calling .actuate_relay(relay), or released by calling .release_relay(relay). Additionally the actuated state can be set by providing a boolean to the actuate parameter of .relay(relay, actuate).

The state of each relay can be read by calling .relay(relay). This returns True if the relay is actuated, and False if it is released. The actuation state is also reflected by LEDs that neighbour each relay.

For all these functions, relay is a value from 0 to .NUM_RELAYS - 1. To control a specific relay, the automation module contains these handy constants:

  • RELAY_1 = 0
  • RELAY_2 = 1
  • RELAY_3 = 2

Setting the Outputs

Three sourcing outputs, capable of PWM at up to 2A, are present on Automation 2040 W (two on the Mini version).

An output can be controlled by calling .output(output, value), where output is a value from 0 to .NUM_OUTPUTS - 1, and value is True, False or a number between 0.0 and 100.0

The state of an output can be read by calling .output(output), where output is a value from 0 to .NUM_OUTPUTS - 1. This returns True if the output is on by any percent, or False if it is off. The state is also reflected by LEDs that neighbour each output terminal.

To control a specific output, the automation module contains these handy constants:

  • OUTPUT_1 = 0
  • OUTPUT_2 = 1
  • OUTPUT_3 = 2

Reading as a percentage

If you prefer to know the current PWM setting of an output as a percentage, this can be accessed by calling .output_precent(output), where output is a value from 0 to .NUM_OUTPUTS - 1. This will return a float between 0.0 and 100.0.

Changing the frequency

The PWM frequency of the output can be set by calling .change_output_freq(output, freq), where output is a value from 0 to .NUM_OUTPUTS - 1 and freq is a frequency in Hz between 10.0 and 1000.0. Values outside of this range will cause a ValueError.

Reading the Inputs

Automation 2040 W has four buffered digital inputs (two on the Mini version). These can be read by calling .read_input(input), where input is a value from 0 to .NUM_INPUTS - 1.

To read a specific input, the automation module contains these handy constants:

  • INPUT_1 = 0
  • INPUT_2 = 1
  • INPUT_3 = 2
  • INPUT_4 = 3

Reading the ADCs

Automation 2040 W has three analog inputs, capable of reading up to 40V. The voltage on these can be read by calling .read_adc(adc), where adc is a value from 0 to .NUM_ADCS - 1.

To read a specific adc, the automation module contains these handy constants:

  • ADC_1 = 0
  • ADC_2 = 1
  • ADC_3 = 2

Extra GPIOs

On the left hand side of Automation 2040 W are three GPIO pins. These are 3.3V logic only, and are connected to GP0, GP1, and GP2 of the Pico W. These pins can be referenced in code using 0, 1, and 2, or by one of these handy constants on the automation module:

  • GP0 = 0
  • GP1 = 1
  • GP2 = 2

There is also a .NUM_GPIOS for times when any iteration needs to be performed.

Software Reset

If there is a need to put Automation 2040 W back into a known safe-state, without resorting to the hardware reset switch, then .reset() can be called. This deactivates all outputs, releases all relays, and turns off all user-controllable LEDs.

Function Reference

Here is the complete list of functions available on the Automation2040W and Automation20404Mini classes:

Automation2040W()
conn_led(brightness)
switch_pressed(switch)
switch_led(switch, brightness)
relay(relay)
relay(relay, actuate)
actuate_relay(relay)
release_relay(relay)
output(output)
output(output, value)
output_percent(output)
change_output_freq(output, freq)
read_input(input)
read_adc(adc)
reset()

Automation2040WMini()
conn_led(brightness)
switch_pressed(switch)
switch_led(switch, brightness)
relay(relay)
relay(relay, actuate)
actuate_relay(relay)
release_relay(relay)
output(output)
output(output, value)
output_percent(output)
change_output_freq(output, freq)
read_input(input)
read_adc(adc)
reset()