SparkFun gator:RTC Hookup Guide

Pages
Contributors: santaimpersonator, Englandsaurus
Favorited Favorite 1

Introduction

Most of you probably have done a science experiment that required data of some sort to be recorded. In which case, the data often had a temporal component that also needed to be recorded...

SparkFun gator:RTC - micro:bit Accessory Board

COM-15486
Retired

The gator:RTC is a real-time clock. This means that the gator:RTC can be used as a supplemental data logging tool, in conjunction with the gator:log to add precise timing to your data collection. Therefore, student(s) can put down that stopwatch and start focusing more attention on what is happening in their experiments. Other applications for the gator:RTC include time lapse photography, timers and alarms, clocks, and etc.

This tutorial will show you how to get started using this gator:RTC with the gator:bit (v2) in the micro:bit development environment.

Required Materials

To get started, you'll need a micro:bit to control everything. Each of the products below includes a micro:bit, but the kit and bundle also include some additional accessories that you may want as well.

micro:bit Board

DEV-14208
10 Retired

micro:bit Go Bundle

DEV-14336
18 Retired

SparkFun Inventor's Kit for micro:bit

KIT-15228
2 Retired

To easily use the gator board ecosystem, a gator:bit (v2) will help breakout the necessary pins and you will also need alligator and/or banana cables to connect the gator:bit to the gator:RTC.

Alligator Test Leads - Multicolored (10 Pack)

Alligator Test Leads - Multicolored (10 Pack)

PRT-12978
$3.50
4
SparkFun gator:bit v2.0 - micro:bit Carrier Board

SparkFun gator:bit v2.0 - micro:bit Carrier Board

DEV-15162
$21.50
2
Banana to Banana Cable - Right Angle

Banana to Banana Cable - Right Angle

CAB-15368
$4.95 $4.46
1

(*These banana cables have a special diameter on the attachment points designed specifically for use with the micro:bit ecosystem. They may or may not be compatible with the banana cables used on your test equipment.)

You may already have some of these materials, so feel free to modify your cart as necessary.

Suggested Reading

The gator:RTC sensor is pretty straight forward to use in application. However, you may find the following concepts useful along the way.

Logic Levels

Learn the difference between 3.3V and 5V devices and logic levels.

I2C

An introduction to I2C, one of the main embedded communications protocols in use today.

Qwiic Real Time Clock Module (RV-1805) Hookup Guide

Find out what time it is, even after the power's been out on your project for a while with the Qwiic Real Time Clock (RTC) module.

SparkFun gator:log Hookup Guide

The gator:log is a serial communication based data logger. This tutorial will get you started using the gator:log with the micro:bit platform.

If you aren't familiar with the micro:bit, we recommend reading here for an overview.

We would also recommend taking a look at the following tutorials if you aren't familiar with them.

Getting Started with the micro:bit

The BBC micro:bit is a compact, powerful programming tool that requires no software installation. Read on to learn how to use it YOUR way!

How to Load MicroPython on a Microcontroller Board

This tutorial will show you how to load the MicroPython interpreter onto a variety of development boards.

SparkFun gator:bit v2 Hookup Guide

The gator:bit v2 is a breakout board for the BBC micro:bit. The gator:bit exposes almost every pin on the micro:bit to clippable pad with circuit protection. It also has as built-in addressable LEDs and a built-in buzzer.