Microbit hardware revisions - v1.3b or v1.5 - any important differences?

Questions and discussion about running MicroPython on a micro:bit board.
Target audience: MicroPython users with a micro:bit.
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PixelShady
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:36 pm

Microbit hardware revisions - v1.3b or v1.5 - any important differences?

Post by PixelShady » Thu Sep 05, 2019 4:12 pm

Hi folks, this is my first post :)

Regarding hardware revisions of the microbit - Are there any 'performance' differences between the earlier v1.3* and the current v1.5 boards?

For example, would a short program containing an infinite-loop, running at maximum speed (without calling the 'sleep' function), run at the same speed on both versions?

Any differences of any kind noticed by someone who has used both?

Thanks.

shaoziyang
Posts: 363
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2016 1:55 pm

Re: Microbit hardware revisions - v1.3b or v1.5 - any important differences?

Post by shaoziyang » Fri Sep 06, 2019 6:12 am

Main difference is accelerometer and magnetic sensor.

PixelShady
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:36 pm

Re: Microbit hardware revisions - v1.3b or v1.5 - any important differences?

Post by PixelShady » Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:55 am

Thanks for that. You're right.

And, I've just now done a bit more googling, and found this (link below) . . .

( still don't know if speed or response-times were effected in any way; maybe the earlier version was better? )

https://support.microbit.org/support/so ... are-change

\/ \/ \/ _ COPY/PASTED FROM THAT LINK _ \/ \/ \/

The Foundation have released a minor revision of the BBC micro:bit that uses a different compass and accelerometer.

If you’re a user of micro:bit and you create scripts in one of our supported online editors, and then flash them onto your micro:bit, you won’t need to change anything that you’re doing.

What has changed?
The compass (magnetometer) and accelerometer components on the micro:bit have been replaced with a combined device that delivers both functions.

What do I need to do?
Most people won’t have to do anything. Every new hex file you build with the official editors will contain the code it needs to run on any micro:bit.

If you have old hex files saved on your computer that use make use of the compass or the accelerometer (for example, detecting a shake, reading a compass bearing or magnetic field strength) you’ll simply need to upgrade them before you can use them on a newer micro:bit. To do that, just drag and drop them back into the editor and when you next click Download, the new hex files will contain the updated code!

Why did you make the change?
Unfortunately, the compass component used on the BBC micro:bit is no longer being manufactured. One of the reasons that this compass was reaching ‘end of life’ is that many new designs are choosing combined magnetometer and accelerator chips, rather than standalone devices. Having reviewed all of the possible replacement compasses we could choose, it’s clear that the best way to make sure we don’t have to make another change again any time soon is to move to one of these combined devices too.

When did the change happen?
The revised device became available in October 2018.

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