What it’s about
In Cybersecurity: Radio Basics, micro:bit modules exchanged text messages. There are other micro:bit radio applications where the transmitter and receiver need to exchange more than just text; they need to exchange data. Some cyber:bot examples of data might include values like left and right robot wheel speeds with run times, or x and y accelerometer tilt values for tilt robot control.
This tutorial shows how to make micro:bits exchange data. The approach is similar to how apps and servers exchange data, with packets containing key-value pairs. Thanks to Makecode’s dictionary and string features, this easy and powerful technique takes just a couple of blocks.
Before you start
You will need:
- Two or more micro:bit modules (on or off a cyber:bot)
- Two USB A to MicroB cables
- One or more computers with:
- Access to makecode.microbit.org on a browser
- Note that Google Chrome Labs Serial Terminal is used in this tutorial’s screencaptures.
Complete these tutorials first:
After you finish
You will be able to write Makecode projects that make micro:bit modules send and receive packet data containing key-value pairs. Your projects that receive messages will be able to access values based on their keys, copy them to variables, and use them to calculate, decide, repeat, and other familiar programming tasks to make your apps work.
After this, you will also be ready to move on to the next tutorial:
