SparkFun gator:particle Hookup Guide

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Contributors: santaimpersonator, Englandsaurus
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Introduction

Do you have an experiment involving biometrics or particle detection?

SparkFun gator:particle - micro:bit Accessory Board

SEN-15271
Retired

The gator:particle is an amazing tool that uses a high-sensitivity pulse oximeter and heart-rate sensor, the MAX30102. Similar to the SparkFun Particle Sensor, with the MAX30105 high-sensitivity optical sensor, the gator:particle can also be used for particle detection. The primary difference between these boards is that the SparkFun Particle Sensor also uses a green LED that requires more power than the micro:bit can provide. This tutorial will show you how to get started using the gator:particle sensor 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:particle.

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

Light

Light is a useful tool for the electrical engineer. Understanding how light relates to electronics is a fundamental skill for many projects.

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.

MAX30105 Particle and Pulse Ox Sensor Hookup Guide

The SparkFun MAX30105 Particle Sensor is a flexible and powerful sensor enabling sensing of distance, heart rate, particle detection, even the blinking of an eye. Get ready. Set. Shine!

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.