← Micro:bit

Chapter 2 · Book pp. 17–24

The AX-microBIT+ Board

AX-microBIT+ บอร์ดทดลองสำหรับ Micro:bit

The Micro:bit’s pins are small and hard to reach. The AX-microBIT+, designed in Thailand by INEX, is an activity board that brings them out to easy connectors, so you can plug in lights, sensors and motors without soldering.

2.1 What the board offers คุณสมบัติของ AX-microBIT+

🔍 Find your way round the board (simplified plan, not to scale)

Micro:bit socket 5V JACK ON LED 0 1 2 3V GND PIEZO KNOB A B JST SERVO IDC HEADERS

Click a dashed area.

📦 Don’t have this board?

You can still do most of this course. Use the simulators on these pages, or connect parts to the Micro:bit’s own gold holes with crocodile clips.

Next: fit and power →

2.2 Fit it and power it การใช้งานเบื้องต้น

🧪 Lab 2.1 · Set up the board

  1. Push the Micro:bit firmly into the 80-pin socket with the LEDs facing up. The kit’s adapter board lets it stand upright or lie flat.
  2. Choose one power source from the table below.
  3. Check that the ON LED lights.
Power sourceHow it reaches the board
USB on the Micro:bit, from a computer, power bank or USB charger5 V enters the Micro:bit, which makes 3.3 V and passes it to the activity board.
+5 V adapter in the barrel jackThe activity board makes 3.3 V. A diode stops power flowing backwards, which leaves about 3 V for the circuit.

⚠️ Servos need the adapter

Servo power comes from the board’s +5 V input, so use the barrel jack. A servo can draw more current than a computer’s USB port gives.

Next: ports 0, 1 and 2 →

2.3 Ports 0, 1 and 2 การใช้งานพอร์ต 0, 1 และ 2

The three main pins each go to several places on the board.

Pin4 mm holeJST socketIDC headerAlso connected to
P0Yes0/AN0YesThe speaker, when the jumper is on PIEZO
P1Yes1/AN1YesNothing else, so it is free for sensors
P2YesNoYesThe knob

🔀 Try it: move the P0 jumper

Next: more connectors →

2.4–2.7 Buttons, servos and headers

2.4 Buttons A and B

The board’s two large buttons do the same job as the Micro:bit’s own A and B. They also reach the IDC header as P5 (A) and P11 (B).

2.5 The 4 mm contacts

Use crocodile clips on the gold contacts to send a signal to, or read one from, a circuit.

2.6 Servo connectors

There are two, on P8 and P12. Use small to medium servos rated at 4.8–6 V, such as an MG90, a 9 kg DS3109, or a 360° continuous type.

2.7 IDC headers

Every pin is available along the bottom edge, with the pin numbers printed beside it. Use jumper wires to reach a breadboard.

Next: review →

Chapter summary

  • The AX-microBIT+ brings the Micro:bit’s pins out to easy connectors.
  • Power it by USB on the Micro:bit, or +5 V through the barrel jack.
  • The P0 jumper picks the speaker (PIEZO) or free use (Port0).
  • The knob is on P2. Servos are on P8 and P12.
  • JST sockets are for INEX parts, and IDC headers carry every pin.

🛠️ Activity · Board treasure hunt

  1. With your partner, find each part from the diagram on a real board.
  2. Find where the P0 jumper is, and move it to PIEZO.
  3. Say which connector you would use for: a light sensor, a servo, a crocodile clip, a wire to a breadboard.

Check yourself

The book has no end-of-chapter questions, so these are my own, based on its pages.

1. Which way up does the Micro:bit go in the AX-microBIT+?
2. P0 should play sound through the piezo speaker. Where do you set the jumper?
3. Which pin is connected to the knob on the board?
4. Which two pins drive the servo connectors?
5. What voltage should the adapter supply to the barrel jack?
6. Why does the board repeat the 4 mm holes?
7. You want to wire a pin such as P14 to a breadboard. What do you use?