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Insatll Adafruit_Blinka (CircuitPython) - Optional
For an enhanced experience with advanced modules, we recommend using the Adafruit_Blinka library, a key component of the CircuitPython environment. The unique feature of Blinka is its ability to enable code written for CircuitPython to run seamlessly and effortlessly on Linux computers like the Raspberry Pi.
This library makes it simpler to use complex modules like BMP280, VL53L0X, and OLED, streamlining your project development process. With CircuitPython, programming becomes more accessible, allowing you to focus on creating robust applications without needing extensive hardware knowledge.
Additionally, you’ll gain the benefit of a large support community and a variety of resources to aid your learning and development.
We will guide you through the straightforward process of installing Adafruit_Blinka, setting the stage for you to quickly start working on your projects.
Update your Raspberry Pi and Python
Before installing Blinka, please use the following commands to ensure that your Raspberry Pi and Python versions are up to date:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
Setup Virtual Environment
Starting from Bookworm (OS version), packages installed using pip must be installed into a Python virtual environment using venv. A virtual environment is a secure container where you can install third-party modules without affecting or disrupting your system’s Python.
The following command will create an “env” directory in your user directory (~) for the virtual Python environment.
cd ~
python -m venv env --system-site-packages
You will need to activate the virtual environment every time the Pi is rebooted. To activate it:
source env/bin/activate
You’ll see that your prompt is now prepended with (env) to indicate that you’re no longer using the system Python. Instead, you’re using the version of Python contained inside your virtual environment. Any changes you make here won’t cause problems for your system Python; nor will any new modules you install into your environment.
To deactivate, you can use deactivate, but leave it active for now.
Automatic Installation
When activated in the virtual environment (you will see (env) at the beginning of the terminal command), run the following code in order. This code will execute the installation script provided by adafruit and automatically complete the remaining installation steps.
pip3 install --upgrade adafruit-python-shell
pip3 install rpi-lgpio
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/Raspberry-Pi-Installer-Scripts/master/raspi-blinka.py
sudo -E env PATH=$PATH python3 raspi-blinka.py
It may take a few minutes to run. When it finishes, it will ask you if you would like to reboot. Press Enter directly to reboot, or if you want to reboot later, enter “n” and then press Enter. When you are ready, manually reboot your raspberry pi.
Once it reboots, the connection will close. After a couple of minutes, you can reconnect.
Blinka Test
Create a new file called blinkatest.py with nano or your favorite text editor and put the following in:
import board
import digitalio
import busio
print("Hello blinka!")
# Try to great a Digital input
pin = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.D17)
print("Digital IO ok!")
# Try to create an I2C device
i2c = busio.I2C(board.SCL, board.SDA)
print("I2C ok!")
# Try to create an SPI device
spi = busio.SPI(board.SCLK, board.MOSI, board.MISO)
print("SPI ok!")
print("done!")
Before running the code, please make sure that you have activated the virtual python environment with blinka installed:
source ~/env/bin/activate
Then run the following command in the command line:
python blinkatest.py
You should see the following, indicating digital i/o, I2C and SPI all worked.
