micropython-rockwren

Rockwren is a micropython device application framework to simplify the creation of connected devices such as lights, switches, and sensors. It is designed for the Raspberry Pi Pico W but also runs on less capable devices such as the ESP8266.

See Quick Start to get your first application running.

Why call this package rockwren?

The New Zealand rock wren (Pīwauwau) is a tiny but widely admired alpine bird that lives in the mountains of Fiordland in New Zealand. It's ability to live life year round in a very harsh environment and it's small size seemed apt when thinking of a name for this micropython package.

Who should use Rockwren?

Developers who would like to create micropython based devices with web, MQTT, AWS IoT, and Home Assistant support built in.

What is the goal of the Rockwren project?

Provide a micropython package that simplifies IoT device development. Provide connectivity out-of-the-box so the developer can focus their efforts on the specific capabilities of the device.

Features

• Web interface for configuration and device control
• MQTT client with certificate support (e.g. AWS IoT or Mosquitto)
• Access Point mode for device configuration
• Home Assistant discovery via MQTT
• The web interface supports:
  • An extendable web interface for device specific controls and status display
  • MQTT, WiFi configuration
  • A log viewer
  • A device information viewer

Links

• Changelog: https://github.com/ccrighton/rockwren/blob/main/changelog.md
• Source code repository: https://github.com/ccrighton/rockwren
• Documentation: https://github.com/ccrighton/rockwren/blob/main/docs/TOC.md
• Find existing issues or raise a bug: https://github.com/ccrighton/rockwren/issues
• Package repository: https://pypi.org/project/micropython-rockwren/

Dependencies

Rockwren depends on:

• Micropython
• A fork of the Pimoroni Phew web server: Phew
• An MQTT client: umqtt.simple2 and umqtt.robust2 by Wojciech Banaś

Quick Start

Install with Thonny

See the Pico guide for details on setting up Thonny and adding the Micropython firmware to your Pico W or other similar device supporting micropython.

Once you have Thonny installed, the rockwren package can be installed.

1. Select Tools then Manage packages....
2. Enter micropython-rockwren, click Search on PyPI.
3. Click on micropython-rockwren in the search results.
4. Click on Install.
5. Once the installation has completed, close the package window.

Rockwren is now installed on the Pico W. Now install the sample application.

Pico W LED

This is a simple application that turns the onboard LED on and off from the web, home assistant, or via MQTT.

1. Create a new file in Thonny, paste the following code into it and save as main.py. When prompted for Where to save to?, choose Raspberry Pi Pico.

from machine import Pin

from rockwren import mqtt_client
from rockwren import rockwren


class PicoWLED(rockwren.Device):

    def __init__(self):
        self.led = Pin("LED", Pin.OUT)
        super().__init__(name="PicoWLED")  # Always call last

    def apply_state(self):

        if self.state == "ON":
            self.led.on()
        elif self.state == "OFF":
            self.led.off()

        super().apply_state()  # Always call last

    def command_handler(self, topic, message):
        if message.get("state"):
            if message.get("state").upper() == "ON":
                self.on()
            elif message.get("state").upper() == "OFF":
                self.off()
        super().command_handler(topic, message)  # Always call last

    def discovery_function(self):
        return mqtt_client.default_discovery(self.mqtt_client)


rockwren.fly(PicoWLED())

2. Run the current script. Click Run and Run current script.

   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 136kB] Free storage: 568.0 KB
   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 131kB] mqtt_server not set using default
   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 129kB] mqtt_port not set using default
   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 127kB] mqtt_client_cert not set using default
   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 125kB] mqtt_client_key not set using default
   essid=rockwren, password=12345678
   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 123kB] Access point active
   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 121kB] ('192.168.4.1', '255.255.255.0', '192.168.4.1', '0.0.0.0')
   2023-09-29 00:15:36 [info     / 119kB] > starting web server on port 80
   

3. This will start the device in access point mode.
4. Connect to the rockwren wifi access point.
5. In a browser navigate to http://192.168.4.1
6. Enter your SSID and password and click Submit
7. A restart page will be displayed.
8. Once the device reboot it will connect to the SSID provided.
9. Use the IP address from the console on boot, an IP address scanner or check your router settings to find the IP address of your device. One options is Fing for Android and iOS. Choose the device called rockwren on the list displayed by the IP scanner or router.
10. Reconnect to the same SSID and in a browser navigate to IP address of the device.
11. Click TOGGLE to turn the Pico W LED on and off.

Shortcut to skip AP configuration

Create a file call env.json with the following JSON replacing the YOUR-SSID AND YOUR-SSID-PASSWORD. mqtt_server and mqtt_port can be configured in this way too. mqtt_port of 0 uses the default.

{"ssid": "YOUR-SSID", "password": "YOUR-SSID-PASSWORD", "mqtt_server": "", "mqtt_port": 0, "first_boot": false }

Copy to the device:

mpremote cp env.json :

Pipkin

It is also possible to install from PyPI using the pipkin tool for managing micropython distribution packages.

Install pipkin.

pip install pipkin

Install micropython-rockwren and dependencies.

pipkin install micropython-rockwren

Other Example Device Applications

• pico_led_light
• pico_binary_sensor
• pico_temperature
• pico_switch

Documentation

Additional documentation on configuring and developing new devices is in github: Rockwren Docs

License

Source code license: GPL-3.0-or-later

Documentation license: CC-BY-4.0