LoPy 4 Soil Moisture Sensor

This device reads soil moisture as an analog value and transmits it to the internet via LoRa. Built with Pycom components and programmed in Micropython.

Components:

• LoPy 4
• Expansion Board OR Pytrack
• Analog Moisture Sensor
• Pycom Universal IP67 Case
• Pycom Sigfox/LoRa Antenna Kit
• Solid Core Hookup Wire
• LiPo Battery with JST connector
• Sugru

Setup:

Hardware:

Before use, the firmware on the LoPy 4 and Expansion Board/ Pytrack must be updated to the current version.

To update the firmware on the Expansion Board/Pytrack follow the instructions at the following link

Next, update the firmware on the LoPy 4 follow the instructions at the following link

Programming Environment:

Pycom offers a plugin for Visual Studio Code called PyMakr which allows for easy development on Pycom devices.

Follow the instructions at the following link to install PyMakr.

A Pycom microcontroller can be connected to in two ways, (1) via USB and (2) via Telnet

Using PyMakr:

Along the bottom of your VSCode Window with PyMakr installed, you will see the following toolbar.

• Run: runs the code in the currently open file once, this code is not saved into flash memory
• Upload: Uploads ALL the code in the current workspace folder to flash memory and runs it. This code will run on the device automatically when it is turned on
• Download: downloads code from device to computer

Useful PyMakr Commands:

• os.uname(): shows current version of firmware
• os.mkfs('/flash'): erases flash memory