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Arduino to MicroPython - A Quick Start Guide

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Pin Control - Goodbye pinMode, Hello Pin Class!

Learn how to control GPIO pins in MicroPython using the Pin class instead of Arduino's pinMode, digitalWrite, and digitalRead

By Kevin McAleer,    8 Minutes

Digital Pin Control: A New Approach

Arduino uses separate functions for pin setup and control: pinMode(), digitalWrite(), and digitalRead(). MicroPython uses an object-oriented approach with the Pin class.

Instead of treating pins as numbers and calling global functions, you create Pin objects and call methods on them. It’s cleaner and more Pythonic.

Setting Up Pins

Arduino C++:

const int LED_PIN = 13;
const int BUTTON_PIN = 2;

void setup() {
    pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT);
}

MicroPython:

from machine import Pin

LED_PIN = 25
BUTTON_PIN = 14

led = Pin(LED_PIN, Pin.OUT)
button = Pin(BUTTON_PIN, Pin.IN)

Key differences:

  • Import the Pin class from the machine module
  • Create Pin objects instead of calling pinMode()
  • Use Pin.OUT and Pin.IN instead of OUTPUT and INPUT
  • Store the Pin object in a variable (like led or button)

Pin Numbers

Pin numbers vary by board. Here’s a quick reference:

Arduino Nano ESP32:

  • D2-D13 (digital pins)
  • LED_BUILTIN = pin 13
  • Uses standard Arduino numbering

Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico W / Pico 2W:

  • GP0-GP28 (GPIO pins)
  • Built-in LED = pin 25 (Pico) or “LED” (Pico W/2W)
  • Uses GP numbering (e.g., GP15 = pin 15)

Example for built-in LED:

# Pico / Pico 2W
led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT)

# Pico W (WiFi LED is different)
led = Pin("LED", Pin.OUT)

# Arduino Nano ESP32
led = Pin(13, Pin.OUT)

Writing to Digital Pins

Arduino C++:

void loop() {
    digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
    delay(1000);
}

MicroPython:

import time

while True:
    led.on()        # or led.value(1)
    time.sleep(1)
    led.off()       # or led.value(0)
    time.sleep(1)

MicroPython gives you two ways to control pins:

  • .on() and .off() - Clear and readable
  • .value(1) and .value(0) - More explicit

Both do the same thing. Most code uses .on() and .off() for clarity.

Reading from Digital Pins

Arduino C++:

void loop() {
    int buttonState = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);

    if (buttonState == HIGH) {
        digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
    } else {
        digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
    }
}

MicroPython:

while True:
    button_state = button.value()

    if button_state == 1:
        led.on()
    else:
        led.off()

.value() reads the pin state:

  • Returns 1 for HIGH
  • Returns 0 for LOW

You can also use .value() to write by passing an argument: .value(1) or .value(0).

Pull-up and Pull-down Resistors

Buttons need pull-up or pull-down resistors. MicroPython makes this easy:

Arduino C++:

void setup() {
    pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);
    // or INPUT_PULLDOWN (if supported)
}

MicroPython:

# Pull-up resistor (default state HIGH)
button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_UP)

# Pull-down resistor (default state LOW)
button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_DOWN)

# No resistor (floating - not recommended)
button = Pin(14, Pin.IN)

When to use which:

  • Pin.PULL_UP - Button connects pin to GND. Pressed = LOW (0), Released = HIGH (1)
  • Pin.PULL_DOWN - Button connects pin to 3.3V. Pressed = HIGH (1), Released = LOW (0)

Most buttons use pull-up configuration.

Toggle Method

Here’s a handy method Arduino doesn’t have:

MicroPython:

led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT)

# Toggle the LED state (on→off or off→on)
led.toggle()

This is perfect for simple blinking:

import time

led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT)

while True:
    led.toggle()
    time.sleep(0.5)  # Blink every 500ms

Getting Pin State

You can read back the current state of an output pin:

MicroPython:

led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT)
led.on()

print(led.value())  # Prints: 1

led.off()
print(led.value())  # Prints: 0

This is useful for maintaining state in complex programs.

Complete Button-LED Example

Arduino C++:

const int LED_PIN = 13;
const int BUTTON_PIN = 2;

void setup() {
    pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);
}

void loop() {
    int buttonState = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);

    // Active LOW (pressed = LOW)
    if (buttonState == LOW) {
        digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
    } else {
        digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
    }
}

MicroPython:

from machine import Pin

led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT)
button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_UP)

while True:
    button_state = button.value()

    # Active LOW (pressed = 0)
    if button_state == 0:
        led.on()
    else:
        led.off()

Button Debouncing

Mechanical buttons bounce - they send multiple signals when pressed. Here’s a simple debounce pattern:

Arduino C++:

const int BUTTON_PIN = 2;
const int DEBOUNCE_DELAY = 50;

int lastButtonState = HIGH;
unsigned long lastDebounceTime = 0;

void loop() {
    int reading = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);

    if (reading != lastButtonState) {
        lastDebounceTime = millis();
    }

    if ((millis() - lastDebounceTime) > DEBOUNCE_DELAY) {
        // Button state is stable
        if (reading == LOW) {
            // Button pressed
        }
    }

    lastButtonState = reading;
}

MicroPython:

from machine import Pin
import time

button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_UP)
DEBOUNCE_DELAY = 0.05  # 50ms

last_state = 1
last_time = 0

while True:
    current_state = button.value()

    if current_state != last_state:
        last_time = time.ticks_ms()

    if (time.ticks_ms() - last_time) > DEBOUNCE_DELAY * 1000:
        # Button state is stable
        if current_state == 0:
            # Button pressed
            print("Button pressed!")

    last_state = current_state
    time.sleep(0.01)  # Small delay

Simpler approach - just add a delay:

from machine import Pin
import time

button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_UP)
led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT)

last_state = 1

while True:
    current_state = button.value()

    # Detect button press (transition from HIGH to LOW)
    if last_state == 1 and current_state == 0:
        led.toggle()
        time.sleep(0.2)  # Simple debounce

    last_state = current_state
    time.sleep(0.01)

Multiple Pin Control

Working with multiple pins is cleaner in Python:

Arduino C++:

int leds[] = {10, 11, 12, 13};
int numLeds = 4;

void setup() {
    for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
        pinMode(leds[i], OUTPUT);
    }
}

void loop() {
    // Turn all on
    for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
        digitalWrite(leds[i], HIGH);
    }
    delay(1000);

    // Turn all off
    for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
        digitalWrite(leds[i], LOW);
    }
    delay(1000);
}

MicroPython:

from machine import Pin
import time

# Create list of Pin objects
leds = [Pin(pin_num, Pin.OUT) for pin_num in [10, 11, 12, 13]]

while True:
    # Turn all on
    for led in leds:
        led.on()
    time.sleep(1)

    # Turn all off
    for led in leds:
        led.off()
    time.sleep(1)

That list comprehension [Pin(pin_num, Pin.OUT) for pin_num in [10, 11, 12, 13]] creates all Pin objects in one line!

Running Light Pattern

MicroPython:

from machine import Pin
import time

leds = [Pin(pin_num, Pin.OUT) for pin_num in [10, 11, 12, 13]]

while True:
    # Light up LEDs in sequence
    for led in leds:
        led.on()
        time.sleep(0.2)
        led.off()

    # Light up in reverse
    for led in reversed(leds):
        led.on()
        time.sleep(0.2)
        led.off()

Pin Interrupts (Advanced)

Interrupts let you respond to pin changes instantly without polling. This is advanced but powerful:

MicroPython:

from machine import Pin
import time

led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT)
button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_UP)

# Interrupt handler function
def button_pressed(pin):
    led.toggle()
    print("Button interrupt!")

# Set up interrupt on falling edge (HIGH→LOW)
button.irq(trigger=Pin.IRQ_FALLING, handler=button_pressed)

# Main loop can do other things
while True:
    print("Doing other work...")
    time.sleep(2)

Interrupt triggers:

  • Pin.IRQ_FALLING - HIGH to LOW transition
  • Pin.IRQ_RISING - LOW to HIGH transition
  • Pin.IRQ_FALLING | Pin.IRQ_RISING - Both transitions

Important: Interrupt handlers should be short and fast. Don’t use delays or print statements in production interrupt handlers.

Try It Yourself

Exercise 1: Traffic Light

Create a traffic light with 3 LEDs (red, yellow, green) on pins 10, 11, 12:

  • Red on for 5 seconds
  • Green on for 5 seconds
  • Yellow on for 2 seconds
  • Repeat

Answer:

from machine import Pin
import time

red = Pin(10, Pin.OUT)
yellow = Pin(11, Pin.OUT)
green = Pin(12, Pin.OUT)

def all_off():
    red.off()
    yellow.off()
    green.off()

while True:
    all_off()
    red.on()
    time.sleep(5)

    all_off()
    green.on()
    time.sleep(5)

    all_off()
    yellow.on()
    time.sleep(2)

Exercise 2: Button Counter

Create a program that:

  • Counts button presses
  • Displays the count on 4 LEDs in binary (pins 10-13)
  • Button on pin 14 with pull-up
  • Max count = 15 (4 bits), then reset to 0

Answer:

from machine import Pin
import time

button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_UP)
leds = [Pin(pin_num, Pin.OUT) for pin_num in [10, 11, 12, 13]]

count = 0
last_state = 1

def display_binary(number):
    """Display a number on 4 LEDs in binary"""
    for i in range(4):
        bit = (number >> i) & 1  # Extract bit i
        leds[i].value(bit)

while True:
    current_state = button.value()

    # Detect button press (HIGH to LOW)
    if last_state == 1 and current_state == 0:
        count = (count + 1) % 16  # Wrap at 16
        display_binary(count)
        print(f"Count: {count} (Binary: {count:04b})")
        time.sleep(0.2)  # Debounce

    last_state = current_state
    time.sleep(0.01)

Exercise 3: Button-Controlled Patterns

Create a program with:

  • 4 LEDs on pins 10-13
  • 1 button on pin 14 with pull-up
  • Each button press cycles through patterns:
    1. All LEDs on
    2. All LEDs off
    3. Alternating pattern (10, 12 on)
    4. Other alternating pattern (11, 13 on)
    5. Running light
  • Hold the pattern until next button press

Answer:

from machine import Pin
import time

button = Pin(14, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_UP)
leds = [Pin(pin_num, Pin.OUT) for pin_num in [10, 11, 12, 13]]

pattern = 0
last_state = 1

def set_pattern(pattern_num):
    if pattern_num == 0:  # All on
        for led in leds:
            led.on()
    elif pattern_num == 1:  # All off
        for led in leds:
            led.off()
    elif pattern_num == 2:  # Alternating 1
        leds[0].on()
        leds[1].off()
        leds[2].on()
        leds[3].off()
    elif pattern_num == 3:  # Alternating 2
        leds[0].off()
        leds[1].on()
        leds[2].off()
        leds[3].on()

while True:
    current_state = button.value()

    # Detect button press
    if last_state == 1 and current_state == 0:
        pattern = (pattern + 1) % 4
        set_pattern(pattern)
        print(f"Pattern: {pattern}")
        time.sleep(0.2)

    last_state = current_state
    time.sleep(0.01)

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