How to Use Adafruit PyPortal Pynt: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit PyPortal Pynt is an Internet of Things (IoT) development board designed for creating connected projects with ease. It features a 2.4" color TFT display for user interface, an ATSAMD51J20 microcontroller for processing, and an ESP32 WiFi module for wireless connectivity. This board is ideal for building interactive IoT applications such as smart home devices, educational tools, and custom controllers.

• Smart home interfaces
• Educational IoT projects
• Custom controllers for hobbyist projects
• Interactive art installations
• Data logging and display

• Microcontroller: ATSAMD51J20 (120 MHz ARM Cortex-M4)
• WiFi Module: ESP32 (2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
• Display: 2.4" TFT LCD with 320x240 resolution
• Touch Sensor: Capacitive touch pads
• Audio: Mono speaker
• Light Sensor: Analog light sensor
• Storage: 8 MB QSPI flash storage
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V logic and power
• I/O Pins: 3x GPIO pins, 1x analog pin

1. Powering the PyPortal Pynt: Connect a 3.3V power supply to the 3V3 and GND pins.
2. Programming: Use a USB cable to connect the PyPortal Pynt to your computer. The board is programmable via the Arduino IDE or CircuitPython.
3. Display Output: The TFT display is directly connected to the microcontroller and does not require additional wiring.
4. Touch Input: The capacitive touch pads can be used as input devices and are programmable through your code.
5. Audio Output: Connect a speaker to the provided speaker output pins for audio feedback in your projects.

• Always ensure that the power supply is within the specified voltage range to prevent damage.
• When programming, select the correct board and port in your development environment.
• Use proper ESD precautions when handling the board to avoid static damage to the sensitive components.
• For wireless projects, ensure that the antenna area of the ESP32 module is not obstructed to maintain signal integrity.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>    // Core graphics library
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h> // Hardware-specific library for ST7735
#include <SPI.h>

// Pin configuration for the Adafruit PyPortal Pynt
#define TFT_CS        10
#define TFT_RST       9  // Or set to -1 and connect to Arduino RESET pin
#define TFT_DC        8

// Create TFT object
Adafruit_ST7735 tft = Adafruit_ST7735(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  tft.initR(INITR_144GREENTAB); // Initialize display with the correct init table
  tft.fillScreen(ST7735_BLACK);  // Clear the screen to black
}

void loop() {
  // Display a message on the screen
  tft.setCursor(0, 0);           // Set the cursor to top-left corner
  tft.setTextColor(ST7735_WHITE); // Set the text color to white
  tft.setTextSize(1);             // Set the text size to normal
  tft.println("Hello, PyPortal!"); // Print a message to the screen
  delay(1000);                    // Wait for a second
  tft.fillScreen(ST7735_BLACK);   // Clear the screen
  delay(1000);                    // Wait for a second
}

• Display Not Working: Ensure that the display pins are correctly defined and that the display is properly initialized in your code.
• WiFi Connection Issues: Check that the WiFi credentials are correctly entered and that the ESP32 module is not obstructed.
• Touch Sensitivity: If the touch pads are not responding, ensure that the touch functionality is correctly initialized and that the firmware is up to date.

• Power Cycle: If the board is unresponsive, try disconnecting and reconnecting the power.
• Update Libraries: Ensure that all relevant libraries are updated to the latest versions.
• Check Connections: Verify that all connections are secure and that there are no shorts or open circuits.

• Q: Can I power the PyPortal Pynt with a battery?

  • A: Yes, as long as the battery provides a stable 3.3V output.

• Q: How do I update the firmware on the ESP32 module?

  • A: Firmware updates can be done through the Arduino IDE or using the esptool.py utility.

• Q: What programming languages can I use with the PyPortal Pynt?

  • A: The board supports programming with CircuitPython and Arduino C/C++.

For further assistance, visit the Adafruit support forums or the PyPortal Pynt product page for additional resources and community discussions.