3333: Circuit Playground Express

Summary

Circuit Playground Express is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to program.

Start your journey with Microsoft MakeCode block-based or Javascript programming. Then, you can use the same board to try CircuitPython, with the Python interpreter running right on the Express. As you progress, you can advance to using Arduino IDE, which has full support of all the hardware down to the low level, so you can make powerful projects.You can even use code.org CS Discoveries to learn all about coding right in your browser!

Because you can program the same board in 4 different ways - the Express has great value and re-usability. From beginners to experts, Circuit Playground Express has something for everyone. If you are looking for our original, Arduino-only Circuit Playground, check out the Circuit Playground Classic.

The board is round and has alligator-clip pads around it so you don't have to solder or sew to make it work. You can power it from USB, a AAA battery pack, or with a Lipoly battery (for advanced users). Circuit Playground Express has built-in USB support. Built in USB means you plug it in to program it and it just shows up, no special cable or adapter required. Just program your code into the board then take it on the go!

10 x mini NeoPixels, each one can display any rainbow color
1 x Motion sensor (LIS3DH triple-axis accelerometer with tap detection, free-fall detection)
1 x Temperature sensor (thermistor)
1 x Light sensor (phototransistor)
1 x Sound sensor (MEMS microphone)
1 x Mini speaker (magnetic buzzer)
2 x Push buttons, left and right
1 x Slide switch
8 x alligator-clip friendly input/output pins
Includes I2C, UART, and 4 pins that can do analog inputs/PWM output
All 8 pads can act as capacitive touch inputs
Green "ON" LED so you know its powered
Red "#13" LED for basic blinking
Reset button

Specifications

Manufacturer	Adafruit Industries LLC
Category	Open Source MCU Platforms
Eval Board Part Number	1528-2280-ND
Eval Board Supplier	Adafruit Industries LLC
IDE	Arduino IDE, with Software Add-on CircuitPython MakeCode
Speed	48 MHz
Bits	32 Bit
Memory, Flash/RAM	2 MB / 32 kB
Digital I/O	8 I/O, 5 PWM
Interface	I²C x1 IrDA UART x1 USB Device
Analog Outputs (DACs)	1 x 10 Bit
Analog Inputs (ADCs)	8 x 12 Bit
DMA Channels	0
Features	10 x NeoPixel Output Accelerometer, 3-Axis Arduino UNO Form Factor Compatible Light Sensor Microphone Speaker Temperature Sensor Timers
Radio	-
Interrupt Pins	8
I/O Voltage	3.3 V
Voltage In	3 ~ 6 V
Touch Sensing Pins	7
Program/Debug Interface	USB Type-Micro B
Area	2026² mm, 3.14² In
Main I.C. Base Part	ATSAMD21
Design Author	Adafruit
Date Created By Author	2017-10
Date Added To Library	2019-08