📡 Micro:bit Radio Network

Micro:bit sensors → Radio → Raspberry Pi Gateway → Node-RED → Dashboard on your phone

Overview

Build a wireless sensor network using Micro:bit radios. A Raspberry Pi acts as a gateway, running Node-RED to display live data on a dashboard accessible from any device on the intranet.

🧰 Kit List

  • BBC Micro:bit V2 (x2 minimum per group)
  • Micro USB cables
  • Battery packs (2xAAA) for remote Micro:bits
  • Raspberry Pi 4 (gateway)
  • Micro SD card (32GB, Raspberry Pi OS)
  • USB-to-serial adapter (for MB-to-RPi connection)
  • Wi-Fi router (for intranet)
  • Power supply for Raspberry Pi
  • Optional: DHT11 temperature/humidity sensor for MB

🎓 What You Will Learn

  • How radio communication works (frequency, channels, groups)
  • Encoding data for transmission (strings, numbers, key-value pairs)
  • Serial communication between Micro:bit and Raspberry Pi
  • Node-RED visual flow programming
  • Building live dashboards (gauges, charts, text displays)
  • Intranet networking: IP addresses, ports, HTTP
  • Data logging and basic analysis

🌐 Cross-Curricular Links

  • Science: EM spectrum, radio waves, energy transfer
  • Maths: Data encoding, binary, averages, graphing
  • English: Technical writing (project cards, documentation)
  • Art: Dashboard UI design, colour theory for data display
  • DT: System design, iterative development

🛠 Key Skills

  • MakeCode block programming / MicroPython
  • Node-RED flow design
  • Debugging wireless communication
  • System architecture thinking
  • Teamwork and baton-passing

Projects

Progress from simple radio messages to a full sensor network with live dashboard.

Project 1: Hello Radio

KS3

Send simple text messages between two Micro:bits using radio. Display received messages on the LED matrix. Learn about radio groups and channels.

Project 2: Sensor Broadcast

KS3

Read the Micro:bit's built-in sensors (temperature, light, accelerometer) and broadcast readings via radio. Receive and display on a second Micro:bit.

Project 3: RPi Gateway

KS4

Connect a Micro:bit to a Raspberry Pi via USB serial. The Micro:bit receives radio data and forwards it to the Pi. Write a Python script to read serial data.

Project 4: Node-RED Dashboard

KS4

Install Node-RED on the Raspberry Pi. Create flows that parse incoming serial data and display it on dashboard widgets (gauges, charts, text). Access from any device on the intranet.

Project 5: Multi-Sensor Network

Stretch

Deploy multiple Micro:bits around the room, each with a unique ID. The gateway distinguishes between sources and displays all data on a single dashboard with multiple panels.

Baton Pass Checklist

Before you hand over to the next group, make sure you can tick off:

  • Completed your digital project card with photos/screenshots
  • Working prototype (radio sending & receiving)
  • Node-RED flow exported as JSON backup
  • Wiring diagram or setup photo for the next group
  • List of "gotchas" and how you solved them
  • 5-minute walkthrough prepared for the next group