Pico Time

A MicroPython app to display local time on an SSD1306 display.

Hardware

The following hardware is what I used for a deployment:

• Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRJXPPWL
  • The W is VERY important, as without networking it can't reach NTP servers!
  • Also a Raspberry Pi Pico W should work too, but I haven't tested it yet
• Elegoo SSD1306 LCD: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSRQG23K

Most (or all?) of these components can be swapped for equivalent components. You just need to make sure the code is compatible with whatever board you choose (not likely), and an SSD1306 display.

Support for other hardware types may come in the future, but if there's a specific sensor or board you're in submit an issue or pull request!

Prototyping

To help with debugging/testing deployments, I also used these components:

• Elegoo 400-pin Breadboard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EV640I6
• Freenove Raspberry Pi Pico Breakout Board: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFB53Y2N
• Elegoo 20cm Jumper Cables 120 count: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EV70C78

These are not necessary to run the app, but can be useful for testing and/or flashing several nodes.

Software Deployment

Requirements

• MicroPython - MicroPython downloads
• mpremote - MicroPython remote serial tool
• (Linux users) Your user should be a part of the dialout group

Steps

1. Connect your SSD1306 display to your Pico.
2. Connect your Pico to your PC via a micro-USB to USB type-A cable.
3. Flash your Raspberry Pi Pico with MicroPython.
   1. This has been tested with MicroPython 1.29, but other versions should work.
4. Clone this git repository: git clone https://git.metaunix.net/BitGoblin/pico-time.
5. cd into the repo: cd pico-time.
6. Install Python dependencies via mpremote: xargs mpremote mip install < requirements.txt.
7. Copy config.example.py to config.py and edit the settings to match your environment.
8. Copy the Python code over to the Pico:
   1. mpremote cp main.py :main.py
   2. mpremote cp config.py :config.py
9. Reset the Pico: mpremote reset

If it worked you should see the display show a message about connecting to WiFi, then syncing time and finally displaying the local time. If it failed, you can monitor the app via mpremote repl or using an IDE like Thonny.

License

This project is made available under the BSD 3-Clause license.