In Digital Technologies, M2 has been learning to code and use Microbits. A Microbit is a small computer, half the size of your palm. It has a small LED light display, 2 buttons, sensors and many other input and output devices. To use a Microbit you first need to write a code, then download that code onto a Microbit before it will work. Sukrit and I made two main codes for our Microbits. One of these codes allows Sukrit and I to communicate with each other through our Microbits. The other code allows one Microbit to find another Microbit.

The first code (The one where the Microbits communicate) works like this. The Person sending the message selects a word from the reference sheet. Next, look at the corresponding number to that word. For example, Hello is “4”. Then to send the word “Hello” the person sending presses one of the buttons 4 times, then the second button to transmit the number. Now all the Microbits in the room have received the number 4, but only the receiving Microbits code knows what to do with it. Embedded in the receiving Microbits code is a database that has all the words and their corresponding number. So when it receives the number 4 it knows that it means “Hello”. Finally the receiving Microbit displays the corresponding word on the screen, in this case “Hello”.

The Second of our codes allowed one Microbit to find another Microbit. This makes for a fun game where someone hides a Microbit and someone else finds it using another Microbit. For this to work the hidden Microbit constantly transmits any number. When the finding Microbit receives the number it checks for the signal strength. If the signal is weak, meaning you are far away from the hidden Microbit, the bottom row of LED lights will light up. As you get closer and the signal strength increases more rows will illuminate. This can be used for cheating in “Hide & Seek”, all you have to do is slip the transmitting Microbit into the hider’s pocket and then you can find them.

By William Newlands