SparkFun
micro:bit v2 Board
The BBC micro:bit v2.21 is your gateway to hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation with digital technology. This pocket-sized powerhouse packs impressi...
The BBC micro:bit v2.21 is your gateway to hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation with digital technology. This pocket-sized powerhouse packs impressive features into a board that’s half the size of a credit card. Whether you’re crafting robots, designing musical instruments, or inventing something entirely new, the micro:bit is ready to bring your ideas to life.
Key Features:
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Front Side Highlights:
- A 5x5 LED matrix that doubles as a light sensor and mini display for messages, numbers, or fun animations.
- Two programmable tactile buttons for interaction and control.
- A touch-sensitive logo that functions as a third button—perfect for games, playlists, and more.
- Built-in microphone with an indicator LED to detect and respond to sound.
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Back Side Powerhouse:
- A 64 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller with FPU, 512KB Flash, and 128KB RAM for robust performance.
- Onboard accelerometer and compass for motion and directional sensing.
- MEMS microphone, speaker, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.0) for connectivity and interaction.
- Gold-tabbed edge pins and ring connectors for quick and easy prototyping with alligator clips or additional components.
- Flexible power options with a microUSB port and a two-pin JST connector.
Next-Level Coding and Connectivity:
Pair the micro:bit with the official mobile app for seamless Bluetooth coding—no USB cable needed! Write, test, and deploy your creations anywhere. This board is designed to grow with your projects, supporting everything from beginner-friendly experiments to advanced designs.
Important: This product includes the micro:bit v2.21 board only. To power your board, we recommend adding a micro:bit AAA battery holder or a micro USB cable.
From interactive gadgets to ambitious projects, the BBC micro:bit v2.21 is a versatile tool that makes coding accessible and fun. Let your creativity flow!
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- ARM Cortex-M4
- A 32-bit processor core commonly used inside microcontrollers for running embedded programs. It matters because it gives the micro:bit enough processing power for sensors, Bluetooth, sound, and classroom coding projects.
- BLE
- BLE stands for Bluetooth Low Energy, a Bluetooth mode designed for lower power use and modern phone compatibility. It matters because BLE support can make the module easier to use with Apple devices and battery-powered projects, though it may behave differently from classic serial Bluetooth.
- edge pins
- Edge pins are exposed electrical contacts along the edge of a board that let you connect to power, signals, and accessories. They matter because they make it easier to attach clips, expansion boards, or external components without soldering.
- FPU
- A floating-point unit is hardware inside a processor that speeds up calculations with decimal numbers. This helps when projects use maths-heavy tasks such as motion sensing, filtering sensor readings, or audio processing.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- MEMS microphone
- A tiny microphone made using micro-electromechanical systems, the same style of miniature manufacturing used in many phone sensors. It lets the board detect sound without needing an external microphone, which is useful for noise-reactive projects and simple audio input.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- RAM
- RAM is temporary memory used while a device is running, and its contents are lost when power is removed. A “Run in RAM” mode is useful for testing settings without permanently programming the module, but it may not support every feature.
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Brands
STEM & Education
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
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Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
