Multi Function Expansion Board for UNIHIKER K10 and micro:bit (Power and Motion)

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

1-Wire

1-Wire is a communication method where devices share a single data line, often with each device having its own address. It matters because several temperature modules can be connected to one microcontroller pin instead of needing a separate pin for each probe.

DC

DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.

ESD protection

ESD protection helps protect electronics from damage caused by static electricity discharges. It is useful on development boards because cables, sensors and modules are often plugged and unplugged during prototyping.

GPIO

General-purpose input/output pins are microcontroller pins you can set in software to read signals, switch devices on and off, or connect to peripherals. The number of GPIO pins matters because it limits how many buttons, LEDs, sensors, and other parts you can wire directly to the board.

I2C

I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.

LED

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.

motor driver

An electronic circuit that lets a low-power controller switch and control a motor that needs more current than the controller pins can safely provide. Checking motor driver support matters because pumps and motors usually cannot be connected directly to a microcontroller output.

RGB

Short for red, green and blue, the three primary colours of light that are mixed in varying amounts to make a wide range of colours. In electronics RGB can refer to an LED or pixel that blends these three colours, or to a colour signal or interface that carries separate red, green and blue channels.

servo

A servo is a motor with built-in position control, usually told to move to a specific angle by a control signal. It matters when you need repeatable movement, such as steering, arms, flaps, or linkages, rather than continuous spinning.

Shield

An add-on board that plugs into a main controller board to give it extra features such as sensing, motor control or communication. Knowing a product supports shields helps you judge whether it can connect neatly into an existing maker-board setup.

Terminal block

A terminal block is a connector that joins wires together in a neat, removable, or serviceable way, usually clamping each wire under a screw or spring instead of soldering. It makes it easier to connect, change, or service wiring without permanent joints.

UNIHIKER

UNIHIKER is a small programmable computer board used in education and maker projects, often connected to external sensors and modules. Compatibility matters because the cable must match the board’s connector type and pin layout.

USB-C

USB-C is a small, reversible USB connector that can carry power, data and, on some devices, video over a single cable. The same connector can range from charging only to high-speed data, so the functions a given port actually supports vary.