PymateIO

Introduction

Micropython offers API classes to manage input/output (Pin class) and analog input (ADC class). Other MicroPython classes are available to access buses (like SPI, I2C, UART, CAN).
For sure, the Pymate Core can be controlled directly with such classes and it will work pretty smoothly. However, using those classes also requires some learning around the hardware specs to be efficient.

On the other hand, the Pymate library offers an interesting PymateIO abstraction layer covering most of the required hardware details.

The PymateIO class is used to access input, output and analog pins.
The same PymateIO class applies for the Core board as well as the 16ADI16DO expansion board IOs (one or several ones).
The Pymate Board class provide access to other behaviors like switch button, rs485, CAN bus, UART, etc.

Pin names

The pin name in the code must follow a minimal convention.
It starts with "In" or "Out" followed by the Pin number (1 to n).
The output 5 will be named "OUT5" where as input 3 will be named "IN3".
The pin name decoding is quite tolerant. It is not case sensitive, tolerate space before the number and allow leading zero in the number.

As such, the following pin name for IN1 are valid:

• In 1
• IN01
• in01
• iN 01

Recommended usage:

Use uppercase letter, no space, no leading zero for numbers.

Accessing Pins

The following cheatsheet shows the main PymateIO input/output feature.

Digital Input

from pymate.pymateio import PymateIO
from machine import Pin

i1 = PymateIO( "IN1", Pin.IN )
# Read the Pin State
val = i1.read() # return 1 or 0
print( "Pin State= %s" % val )

The read() method is convenient in automation world.

MicroPython addict can still use the value() method (which act the same).

Digital Output

from pymate.pymateio import PymateIO
from machine import Pin

o4 = PymateIO( "OUT4", Pin.OUT )
# Change the output state
o4.write( 1 ) # activates output
o4.write( 0 ) # deactivate output

The write() method is convenient in automation world.

MicroPython addict can still use the value( new_state) ) method.

More demonstrative call like on() and off() methods will also applies to outputs.

Analog Input

Any of the input pin can be configured as analog input to read voltage between 0 to 10V DC).

The Analog to Digital converter returns a unsigned 16 bits value (a number between 0 to 65535).

The analog value is returned by the read_u16() method (the same method used in MicroPython).

from pymate.pymateio import PymateIO
from machine import ADC

a2 = PymateIO( "IN2", ADC )
# read the value 
val = a2.read_u16() # value from 0..65535
print( 'a2 raw = %s' % val )
# Read voltage 
volt = a2.read_volts() # As float
print( "a2 volts= %s' % volt )

The read_voltage() method do converts the read_u16() value into equivalent voltage (0 giving 0.0 volts, 65535 giving 10.0 Volts).

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