Getting Started with the Tessel 2
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rwaldron
lyzadanger
reconbotWhat is the Tessel 2?
The Tessel 2 is an open source development board. It runs JavaScript and supports npm, which means scripts to control it can be built with Node.js. It's a platform for experimenting, tinkering, prototyping and producing embedded hardware, perfect for the Internet of Things (IoT).
OK, So What's a Development Board?
Development boards are platforms for prototyping and building embedded systems. At the heart of (most) development boards is a microcontroller, which combines a processor and memory with I/O capabilities. Microcontrollers like the one on the Tessel 2 provide a collection of GPIO (General Purpose Input Output) pins for connecting input and output devices. The pins on the microcontroller itself — a chip — are small, too small for human fingers to work with easily (plus you'd need to solder things to them). Instead, development boards connect these GPIO pins to pin sockets that are easy to plug things into.
Other common features of boards play a supporting role: connections for programming and communicating with the board, status lights, reset buttons and power connections.
Powerful boards like the Raspberry Pi and Tessel are sometimes also called Single-Board Computers (SBCs).
Tessel 2's Features
The Tessel is a mighty little board. Some of Tessel 2's nifty goodies include:
- 2 USB ports (you can connect cameras or flash storage, for example)
- 10/100 ethernet port
- 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
- 580MHz Mediatek router-on-a-chip (you can turn your Tessel 2 into an access point!)
- 48MHz SAMD21 coprocessor (for making I/O faster)
- 64MB DDR2 RAM, 32MB of flash (lots of space for your programs and stuff)
Working with Tessel 2
Tessel has a set of Command Line Interface (CLI) tools for setting up and working with the Tessel 2 board. You'll install these and do a one-time setup provisioning of your Tessel.
You can write scripts for the Tessel 2 in any text editor, using JavaScript and including npm modules as you desire. A one-line terminal command deploys and executes your script on the Tessel.
Inputs and Outputs
There are two primary sets of pins on the Tessel 2: Port "A" and Port "B". Each port has 10 pins: two for power (3.3V and ground) and eight GPIO pins.
Some pins support different features, which are covered in the next section.
Powering the Board
There are multiple ways to power the Tessel 2. We'll start by using the included USB cable.
Over USB
Connecting to the board directly with USB will allow you to easily modify any circuits and redeploy code from the comfort of your desk, without having to retrieve your project. This is also handy when you don't have access to the local network (for deploying code over WiFi).
USB Wall Charger
Once you have completely set up and provisioned your Tessel 2, you can deploy code through your local WiFi network. At some point you'll itch to make your Tessel free of wires and tethering, but it still needs power. We supplied a 5V USB charger in the Johnny-Five Inventor's Kit (J5IK) so you can place your project in a semi-remote location around your home or office and deploy code from anywhere on your local network.
USB Battery Pack
USB battery packs are becoming quite popular as swag and giveaways at events. We collect them like candy because they allow us to power projects with minimal consideration to power management circuitry. If you have one of these handy, just use the included USB cable to plug the Tessel 2 into your battery, and away you go! That's it -- simple as pie.