MicroPython Unveils New Pyboard D Series Board with STM32F7xx MCU

MicroPython unveiled their new Pyboard D board earlier this year at FOSDEM 2019, which is designed to complement the Pyboard original, although you don’t need it to use the D series. For those not in the loop, MicroPython is a lightweight version of Python 3 optimized to run on microcontrollers, which is described as a ByteCode + virtual machine + file system compiler for the BareMetal OS implemented on the microcontroller.

Under the hood, the Pyboard D is equipped with an STM32F7 Cortex-M7 with 512Kb of RAM, and 2Mb of Flash. It packs a pair of external Flash chips and a micro SD card slot for additional expansion options. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with an onboard antenna and u.FL connector for an external 2.4GHz antenna. The board also sports a single micro USB port for power, Flash disk access, and serial debugging/programming options.

For GPIO expansion, the Python D hosts a 16-pin header (2.54mm pitch through holes), a 32-pin header (1.27mm pitch through/castellated holes), and a pair of 40-pin WBUS headers for stacking add-on boards, such as the original Pyboard, DIP28 prototyping board, sensor packages, and eMMC storage module.

As mentioned earlier, the Pyboard D is programmed using MicroPython, which can be done via command line or using Wi-Fi through a WebREPL client. There’s no word yet on pricing, or when the board will be released, however some on the MicroPython forum feel that it could hit the market in a few days or weeks. Same with the add-on modules as well.