Concept Taxonomy
12 categories for organizing the 350 concepts in "Building Clocks and Watches with MicroPython".
Categories
FOUND - Foundation Concepts
Core computational thinking and introductory concepts that underpin the entire course. Includes decomposition, abstraction, pattern recognition, algorithmic thinking, and physical computing fundamentals.
PYTH - Python Programming
MicroPython language features and programming constructs: variables, data types, control structures, functions, modules, error handling, string formatting, classes, and MicroPython-specific runtime concepts.
HARD - Hardware and Electronics
Electronic components, Ohm's Law, circuits, resistors, capacitors, LEDs, wiring, breadboards, soldering, connectors, multimeters, and circuit diagram reading.
MCTR - Microcontroller
Raspberry Pi Pico and RP2040 specifics: GPIO pins, pin configuration, flash memory, firmware, dual-core architecture, boot/main files, and the Pico W wireless variant.
COMM - Communication Buses
I2C and SPI bus protocols, pin assignments, device addressing, bus speed, baudrate tuning, UART, bit ordering, signal integrity, and bus comparisons.
TIME - Timekeeping
Time acquisition and management: localtime(), time tuples, formatting, 12/24-hour conversion, real-time clocks (DS3231), RTC registers, battery backup, NTP, WiFi sync, UTC, timezone conversion, clock drift, and calibration.
DISP - Displays and Drawing
Display hardware (LED, OLED, TFT, e-paper, NeoPixel), display drivers (SSD1306, ILI9341, ST7735, GC9A01, SH1106), framebuffers, drawing primitives, text rendering, fonts, color encoding, resolution, and animation.
MATH - Math and Geometry
Trigonometry, polar coordinates, angle calculation, coordinate systems, rotation math, clock hand geometry, modular arithmetic, fixed-point arithmetic, and pixel coordinate mapping.
INPT - Input and Sensors
Buttons, rotary encoders, interrupt handlers, debouncing, state machines, photosensors, ADC readings, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and tilt detection.
SNPW - Sound and Power
PWM sound, piezo buzzers, DAC/I2S audio, alarm tones, power management, battery types (USB, LiPo, AA, coin cell), voltage regulators, sleep modes, and current calculations.
PROJ - Projects and Kits
Specific clock/watch projects: stopwatch, timer, alarm clock, binary clock, Fibonacci clock, weather station, world clock, NeoPixel clocks, shift register clocks, e-paper clocks, and smartwatch builds.
DSGN - Design and Development
Project planning, design trade-offs, cost analysis, AI-assisted development, code modularity, program variants, debugging, testing, peer review, enclosures, documentation, and final presentations.