To run MicroPython and LVGL (Light and Versatile Graphics Library) on an ESP32 board, follow these general steps:
1. Install the ESP-IDF and set up the development environment: Follow the instructions provided by Espressif to install the ESP-IDF and ensure all necessary dependencies are met.
2. Download and flash the MicroPython firmware for ESP32: You can find compatible MicroPython firmwares on the official MicroPython website or other reliable sources. Use the appropriate flashing tool to install the firmware onto your ESP32 board.
3. Install the LVGL library: Clone or download the LVGL repository. Compile and integrate the LVGL library into your MicroPython project.
4. Write your MicroPython code to use LVGL: Import the necessary LVGL modules and configure the display settings. Remember, getting everything working correctly might require some troubleshooting and adjustments based on your specific hardware setup and version of the libraries. Also, make sure to refer to the documentation of MicroPython, ESP32, and LVGL for detailed and up-to-date instructions.
What is MicroPython?
MicroPython is Python for microcontrollers. Using MicroPython, you can write Python3 code and run it even on a bare metal architecture with limited resources.
Highlights of MicroPython
Compact: Fits and runs within just 256k of code space and 16k of RAM. No OS is needed, although you can also run it with an OS, if you want.
Compatible: Strives to be as compatible as possible with normal Python (known as CPython).
Versatile: Supports many architectures (x86, x86-64, ARM, ARM Thumb, Xtensa).
Interactive: No need for the compile-flash-boot cycle. With the REPL (interactive prompt) you can type commands and execute them immediately, run scripts, etc.
Popular: Many platforms are supported. The user base is growing bigger. Notable forks:
MicroPython
CircuitPython
MicroPython_ESP32_psRAM_LoBo
Embedded Oriented: Comes with modules specifically for embedded systems, such as the machine module for accessing low-level hardware (I/O pins, ADC, UART, SPI, I2C, RTC, Timers etc.)
Why MicroPython + LVGL?
MicroPython does not have a good native high-level GUI library. LVGL is an Object-Oriented Component Based high-level GUI library, which seems to be a natural candidate to map into a higher level language, such as Python. LVGL is implemented in C and its APIs are in C.
Here are some advantages of using LVGL in MicroPython:
Develop GUI in Python, a very popular high level language. Use paradigms such as Object-Oriented Programming.
Usually, GUI development requires multiple iterations to get things right. With C, each iteration consists of “Change code“ – “Build“ -“Flash“ – “Run“. In MicroPython it’s just “Change code“- “Run“ ! You can even run commands interactively using the REPL (the interactive prompt)
MicroPython + LVGL could be used for:
Fast prototyping GUI.
Shortening the cycle of changing and fine-tuning the GUI.
Modelling the GUI in a more abstract way by defining reusable composite objects, taking advantage of Python’s language features such as Inheritance, Closures, List Comprehension, Generators, Exception Handling, Arbitrary Precision Integers and others.
Make LVGL accessible to a larger audience. No need to know C to create a nice GUI on an embedded system. This goes well with CircuitPython vision. CircuitPython was designed with education in mind, to make it easier for new or inexperienced users to get started with embedded development.
Creating tools to work with LVGL at a higher level (e.g. drag-and-drop designer).
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