Build Instructions

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• 1

  CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY

  • Using a solder paste dispenser needle, we apply solder paste to each component pad to begin the circuit assembly process. In this case, we are using 63/37 SnPB Solderpaste.
  • After that, we pick each WS2812B LED and place it into their correct position.
  • The PCB is then heated from below to the solder paste melting temperature by placing the circuit on the Reflow Hotplate, which causes all of the SMD LEDs to be connected to their pads.
  • After reflow, we place the THT components, which consist of female header pin connectors for the Raspberry Pi Pico, and MPU6050 along with a USB type C port.
  • Using a soldering iron, we solder the leads of every through-hole component from the bottom side of the board.
  • Finally, we position the MPU6050 and Raspberry Pi Pico on the header pins, and the assembly is now complete.
• 2

  "MPU Control Pixel" Sketch

  We start testing this matrix by uploading a sketch we created, which is essentially a pixel control sketch that makes use of the MPU6050. In this sketch, a bright pixel in the center moves in response to the MPU6050's orientation, simulating a particle of sand. For a future hourglass project that senses movement and controls pixel particles that travel around like sand particles, our goal is to refine this sketch further.

  #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
  #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoMatrix.h>
  #include <Wire.h>
  #include <MPU6050_light.h>
  #define MATRIX_PIN 0
  #define MATRIX_WIDTH 10
  #define MATRIX_HEIGHT 10
  #define NUMPIXELS (MATRIX_WIDTH * MATRIX_HEIGHT)
  Adafruit_NeoMatrix matrix = Adafruit_NeoMatrix(MATRIX_WIDTH, MATRIX_HEIGHT, MATRIX_PIN,
  NEO_MATRIX_TOP + NEO_MATRIX_LEFT +
  NEO_MATRIX_ROWS,
  NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
  MPU6050 mpu(Wire1);
  int prevX = MATRIX_WIDTH / 2;
  int prevY = MATRIX_HEIGHT / 2;
  void setup() {
  matrix.begin();
  matrix.setBrightness(50);
  // Initialize I2C1 with pins 26 (SDA) and 27 (SCL)
  Wire1.setSDA(26);
  Wire1.setSCL(27);
  Wire1.begin();
  mpu.begin();
  mpu.calcOffsets(true, true); // Calculate and apply offsets
  // Display initialization success
  matrix.fillScreen(0);
  matrix.show();
  }
  void loop() {
  mpu.update();
  // Normalize accelerometer values
  float axNorm = -mpu.getAccX() * 5; // Invert X-axis sensitivity
  float ayNorm = mpu.getAccY() * 5; // Adjust sensitivity
  // Clear the previous pixel
  matrix.drawPixel(prevX, prevY, matrix.Color(0, 0, 0));
  // Calculate the new position
  int centerX = MATRIX_WIDTH / 2;
  int centerY = MATRIX_HEIGHT / 2;
  int newX = constrain(centerX + (int)ayNorm, 0, MATRIX_WIDTH - 1); // Horizontal movement
  int newY = constrain(centerY - (int)axNorm, 0, MATRIX_HEIGHT - 1); // Vertical movement
  // Update the matrix with the new position
  matrix.drawPixel(newX, newY, matrix.Color(255, 0, 0)); // Display influenced pixel
  matrix.show();
  // Update the previous position
  prevX = newX;
  prevY = newY;
  delay(20); // Reduce delay for smoother movement
  }

   These are the libraries that you first need to install before using the sketch.

  #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
  #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoMatrix.h>
  #include <MPU6050_light.h>

• 3

  SCROLLING TEXT

  The scrolling text animation was the next interesting thing we tried. It was made up of a humorous statement that we put to our sketch and that said the following: "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!"

  Here's the sketch we used.

  #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
  #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoMatrix.h>
  #define MATRIX_PIN 0 // GPIO pin connected to the LED matrix data pin
  #define MATRIX_WIDTH 10
  #define MATRIX_HEIGHT 10
  Adafruit_NeoMatrix matrix = Adafruit_NeoMatrix(MATRIX_WIDTH, MATRIX_HEIGHT, MATRIX_PIN,
  NEO_MATRIX_TOP + NEO_MATRIX_LEFT +
  NEO_MATRIX_ROWS,
  NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
  int x = 0; // Initialize position
  void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println("Matrix scrolling text display setup...");
  matrix.begin();
  matrix.setTextWrap(false);
  matrix.setBrightness(50);
  matrix.setTextColor(matrix.Color(0, 0, 255)); // White color for text
  matrix.setTextSize(1); // Ensure text size is appropriate
  x = matrix.width(); // Start cursor position at the matrix width
  }
  void loop() {
  matrix.fillScreen(0); // Clear screen
  const char *text = "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!";
  matrix.setCursor(x, 0);
  matrix.print(text);
  Serial.print("Cursor X position: "); Serial.println(x);
  Serial.print("Text to display: "); Serial.println(text);
  int textWidth = 6 * strlen(text); // Calculate the width of the text
  if (--x < -textWidth) {
  x = matrix.width();
  Serial.println("Resetting cursor position.");
  }
  matrix.show();
  delay(110); // Adjust the delay to control the scrolling speed
  }

  You need the following libraries before using this sketch.

  #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
  #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoMatrix.h>

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