# Board examples

These examples connect a MicroPython board to the hardware UART exposed by a
Meshtastic radio. The radio must have its serial module enabled in `PROTO` mode at
115200 baud.

| Board | Example | MicroPython UART | TX pin | RX pin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 | `xiao_rp2040.py` | UART0 | D6 / GPIO0 | D7 / GPIO1 |
| Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico W | `raspberry_pi_pico.py` | UART0 | GP0 | GP1 |
| Generic ESP32 | `esp32.py` | UART2 | GPIO17 | GPIO16 |

## Desktop curses dashboard

`curses_dashboard.py` is a host-side dashboard for macOS or Linux. It displays
connection statistics, known nodes, and received messages, and it can send broadcast
messages. It can connect directly to a radio or through a XIAO RP2040 UART bridge.

```sh
python -m pip install -e . pyserial
python examples/curses_dashboard.py /dev/cu.usbmodem123456
```

For a radio wired to a XIAO RP2040, first install the bridge as the XIAO's boot script:

```sh
mpremote connect /dev/cu.usbmodem2101 fs cp examples/xiao_dashboard_bridge.py :main.py
mpremote connect /dev/cu.usbmodem2101 reset
python examples/curses_dashboard.py --xiao-bridge /dev/cu.usbmodem2101
```

Do not run `mpremote` at the same time as the dashboard; only one program can own the
XIAO USB serial port. To return to the regular example, replace `main.py` with
`xiao_rp2040.py`.

Use `mpremote connect list`, `python -m serial.tools.list_ports`, or your operating
system's device list to find the radio port. The message field is always active: type
and press Enter to send. Use Escape to clear it, F5 to refresh, and F10 to quit.
`Ctrl-R` and `Ctrl-Q` are also supported. On Windows, install `windows-curses` and use
a port such as `COM4`.

## Wiring

UART signals cross between the two boards:

```text
MicroPython board TX  -> radio RX
MicroPython board RX  <- radio TX
MicroPython board GND --- radio GND
```

Both ends must use 3.3 V UART logic. Do not connect the power pins unless you have
confirmed the voltage and current requirements for both boards. Meshtastic radio UART
pin names vary by model and may need to be configured in the radio firmware.

## Run an example

Install MicroMesh, copy the matching example to the board as `main.py`, and reset it:

```sh
mpremote mip install package.json
mpremote fs cp examples/xiao_rp2040.py :main.py
mpremote reset
```

Each example requests the node configuration, listens for text messages, and broadcasts
one greeting after configuration completes. Remove the `mesh.sendText(...)` line for a
receive-only application.