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Summary
We talked to Damien George about his work on the Micro Python interpreter and the PyBoard SOC (Systom On a Chip). The combination of the interpreter and SOC allows Python developers to get involved in hardware hacking, as well as letting electronics afficionados try their hand at development. Damien explained to us where this fits in with the expanding landscape of low cost embedded devices and why you should get one to start playing with it.
Brief Introduction
Date of recording – June 29th, 2015Hosts – Tobias Macey and Chris PattiFollow us on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneInGive us feedback! (iTunes, Twitter, email, Disqus comments)You can donate (if you want)!Overview – Interview with Damien George from the Micro Python projectInterview with Damien George
IntroductionsPostdoc in Theoretical PhysicsHow did you get introduced to Python?
What problem were you trying to solve when you first had the idea to create the Micro Python board and interpreter? Not really Python lets you get things done quicklyAbstracts the hardware really wellIn the Kickstarter video you mention that Micro Python is a complete re-implementation of Python optimized to run on a micro-controller. How hard was it to create an alternative Python implementation? Did you have hard decisions to make as to what to include given the limitations of the hardware? To start with, was it even possible?Proof of Concept: Get a REPL running on the boardLots of tricks to get things to fit into RAM Stuffing integers into pointersOptimizing RAM at various pointsRuns the parser 4 times, looking for different things each timeLots of things are stored in ROM in the built-in FlashVery fine efficiency trade off between code size, memory usage, speed.
Most of this is the parse tree20 line script might take ~5K RAM
128K RAM on the Micro Python board
Not 100% Python – but 90% – the most useful parts
I know that people who have developed alternative Ruby implementations have run into issues due to the lack of a formal specification. Has the fact that there is a specification for Python made your job easier? Definitely, Python is very well definedWell documentedAlready multiple implementationsThe WiPy chip seems like an interesting device. What are some ways in which it could be put to use? A Micro Python cluster for instance? Small, cheap, low power little wireless chip that also runs PythonYou can telnet in and have a Python REPLPart of the Internet of ThingsWhat changes did you have to make to get the Python interpreter to run without an underlying operating system?
When you were designing the hardware, what were some of the requirements that you were targeting in terms of performance or peripherals? Wanted the best chip for the least moneyDidn’t know ahead of time how many resources were requiredWhat level of hardware knowledge is required to start working with the Micro Python board? Virtually noneJust need to plug into USB and login with a terminal program to get a Python promptCan change frequency of CPU, turn on/off LEDs, etc.Connecting peripherals requires some hardware knowledgeModule namespace to make hardware management easierFor anyone who is interested in writing libraries, what kinds of restrictions do they need to be aware of? Be aware of RAM size limitationsPrety much anything that will fit will workLibraries with C extensions won’t work because they rely on the CPython APIWhat license is used for the Micro Python interpreter and the PyBoard? Are the compatible with commercial uses? MIT LicenseHardware schematics are open source as well, open and accessible designWhat are some of the most interesting/innovative projects that you have seen people make with the Micro Python board or runtime? Damien attempted to make a quadcopter – not completely finishedMicro Python controlled guitar – PyBoard connected to actuators to play guitarHow does the experience of using Micro Python compare to some of the other hardware projects that are popular right now such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi or Tessel? PyBoard in between Arduino and Raspberry PiMore approachable than ArduinoNot a full OS like Raspberry PiTessel similar to Micro Python but runs Javascript
EU Space Agency (Europe’s version of NASA) interested in Micro Python Prepared to fund Micro Python development to explore possibilities of space based applicationsCode needs to be well written and with few bugsSee if it can be used for real-time systems
Picks
TobiasMachine Gun Preacher – Real life story of Sam Childers’ work in Southern SudanPocket Book Android App – E-Book app with good UI/UX and solid feature setOnline access to digital media through local library membershipsHoopla DigitalOverdrive
Real RamenRedHat SummitThe SELinux Coloring BookMOSH – Mobile shell, resilient SSH that allows for resuming sessions across networks, computer sleeps, etc.Keep in Touch
Twitter@micropython@damienpgeorgeGitHub – micropython
The intro and outro music is from Requiem for a Fish The Freak Fandango Orchestra / CC BY-SA
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