News Overview
- The article describes how to build a CPU temperature monitor using a Raspberry Pi Pico and a small OLED display.
- The project involves coding in MicroPython to read the CPU temperature and display it on the OLED screen in real time.
- The guide provides step-by-step instructions and the necessary code for replicating the project.
🔗 Original article link: CPU Temperature Monitor With OLED Display #RaspberryPi #Pico
In-Depth Analysis
The core of the project lies in the Raspberry Pi Pico’s ability to interact with hardware and run MicroPython code. Here’s a breakdown:
- Hardware: The essential components are a Raspberry Pi Pico, an OLED display (likely utilizing an I2C interface), and connecting wires. No external temperature sensor is directly connected; the Pico reads its own on-board temperature.
- Software (MicroPython): The code is written in MicroPython, which makes it relatively easy to program the Pico.
- The code starts by importing the necessary libraries, including those for I2C communication and OLED display control. Adafruit likely provides or references specific libraries designed for their OLED screens.
- The key function involves reading the Pico’s internal temperature sensor. This is typically done by accessing a specific memory location or using a dedicated MicroPython function.
- The raw temperature reading is then converted to a more human-readable format (e.g., Celsius or Fahrenheit).
- Finally, the converted temperature is displayed on the OLED screen using the display library functions. The code likely includes formatting options for text size, position, and font.
- Wiring: The I2C communication protocol requires connecting the Pico’s SDA and SCL pins to the corresponding pins on the OLED display. Power (VCC) and Ground (GND) connections are also essential.
The article likely provides the complete MicroPython code listing, detailing how to initialize the I2C interface, configure the OLED display, read the temperature, format the output, and continuously update the display.
Commentary
This project is a great introductory project for beginners to learn about embedded systems and MicroPython. It elegantly demonstrates how to leverage the Raspberry Pi Pico’s capabilities to monitor system parameters and display them using a simple user interface. The self-contained nature of reading the on-board temperature makes it accessible as no external temperature sensor or wiring is required. Similar projects could be expanded to monitor other parameters (e.g., voltage, current) or control external devices based on temperature thresholds. The wide availability and low cost of Raspberry Pi Pico and OLED displays make this a highly accessible and replicable project for hobbyists, students, and professionals alike. This is a classic example of how to create a basic IoT device for monitoring and displaying real-time data.