IoT Essentials Pico Project

Summary

A school IoT project using a Raspberry Pi Pico, CircuitPython, analog input, PWM output, sonar distance measurement, and RGB LED feedback.

Build a working breadboard setup around a Raspberry Pi Pico using sensors, LEDs, analog input, and digital output.
Read a potentiometer through analog-to-digital converter and use the value to control LED intensity.
Measure distance with a sonar module and visualize distance ranges through an LED.

Started from the required hardware setup and translated it into a breadboard circuit with clear component connections.
Implemented the software in small functional blocks: potentiometer reading, PWM output, blinking LED, sonar reading, and RGB feedback.
Used terminal output to verify sensor values, LED states, distance readings, and color selection during testing.
Validated the final behavior through photos, video evidence, and a checklist of required assignment criteria.

Potentiometer input was successfully read and used to control the brightness of a PWM-driven LED.
A second LED blinked when the potentiometer value dropped below the configured threshold.
The sonar sensor measured distance in centimeters and triggered RGB LED colors for defined ranges.
All required assignment criteria were completed and documented with code, photos, video evidence, and self-evaluation.

Raspberry Pi Pico mounted on a breadboard.
MCP3008 used as analog-to-digital converter for potentiometer input.
PWM-controlled white LED and threshold-based blinking red LED.
HC-SR04 sonar sensor used for distance measurement.
RGB LED used to visualize distance ranges: red, green, blue, and purple for invalid readings.

Designed and wired the breadboard setup with the Raspberry Pi Pico, MCP3008, potentiometer, LEDs, resistors, RGB LED, and HC-SR04 sonar sensor.
Implemented the CircuitPython logic for analog reading, PWM LED control, blinking logic, sonar measurement, and RGB LED state handling.
Handled sensor edge cases, including limiting potentiometer values before applying them to the PWM duty cycle.
Documented the electrical setup, component connections, code, test results, photos, video evidence, and self-evaluation.