Please note the following:

• This is a two class series: 12/6/2025 1-3pm, and 12/13/2025 1-3pm
• There is no expectation of prior soldering experience
• There is no expectation of prior microcontroller experience, so don’t worry if the technical terms below are new to you

On the first day, we will focus on building the three PCBs. We will explain basic soldering concepts for through-hole and surface mount (SMT) soldering. We expect most or all attendees to finish the PCBs in 2 hours, but you should be prepared to complete any unfinished soldering before the second class. Tuesday nights are a great time for additional assistance if needed.

On the second day, we will configure the Arduino IDE, flash software onto the Raspberry Pi and communicate with the breakout boards. If time allows, we may walk through the code at a high level. Code will be in C++ and will be extensively commented.

All parts and soldering equipment will be provided, you simply need to show up and have a good time.

About the project:

The Raspberry Pi Pico changed the game for maker microcontrollers. Priced at only $5, it has incredible capability and is compatible with the Arduino IDE. This class will get you started with this platform so you can forge ahead into projects of your own.

I have evolved and used this RPi Pico development board over the last few years to include features I find most userful:

• Dual breakouts of two I2C and two SPI ports (8 sets of serial headers). This allows one header of a port to be jumpered to a test board while the other header can be used for a logic analyzer or oscilloscope, or jumpered to a second test board.
• Breakouts for other GPIO and ADC inputs
• A precision voltage reference for significantly improved on-chip ADC (analog to digital converter) readings
• A discrete dual channel DAC (digital to analog converter) that can provide two analog voltage outputs

We will also build two breakout boards to demonstrate use of I2C and SPI communications. I2C and SPI are protocols commonly used to communicate with various sensors, displays and other integrated circuits or systems.

• MCP4141 digital potentiometer: 7 bit, 10k ohms, SPI communications
• TMP1075 temperature sensor:  12 bit, -55C to +125C, I2C communications

There will be a 5 person minimum. If the class minimum is not reached by midnight the night before, class will be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.

All proceeds go to Knox Makers.

Directions- Knox Makers parking and entrance is located around the back of the SPARK building in the fenced in area.

Knox Makers is a place for the Knoxville area’s engineers, artists, hobbyists, innovators, educators and entrepreneurs to work and play. We are a technology and art collective dedicated to the promotion of creativity enabled and informed by science. Our lectures, workshops, and outreach programs inspire and educate both members and the general public. Our workshop provides members with both the space for large projects and the tools to complete them. We are a non-profit educational organization supported by member dues and staffed by volunteers.