A DS18b20 thermometer example in Micropython with a Raspberry Pi Pico

In this article we connect a DS18b20 module to a Raspberry Pi Pico and we will use micropython to display the temperature returned from the module.

I used the following DS18b20 module

Specifications

The following is from the datasheet

The DS18B20 digital thermometer provides 9-bit to 12-bit Celsius temperature measurements and has an alarm function with nonvolatile user-programmable upper and lower trigger points.

The DS18B20 communicates over a 1-Wire bus that by definition requires only one data line (and ground) for communication with a central microprocessor. In addition, the DS18B20 can derive power directly from the data line (“parasite power”), eliminating the need for an external power supply. Each DS18B20 has a unique 64-bit serial code, which allows multiple DS18B20s to function on the same 1-Wire bus.

Thus, it is simple to use one microprocessor to control many DS18B20s distributed over a large area.

Features

Unique 1-Wire® Interface Requires Only One Port Pin for Communication
Reduce Component Count with Integrated Temperature Sensor and EEPROM
Measures Temperatures from -55°C to +125°C

±0.5°C Accuracy from -10°C to +85°C
Programmable Resolution from 9 Bits to 12 Bits
No External Components Required

Parasitic Power Mode Requires Only 2 Pins for Operation (DQ and GND)
Simplifies Distributed Temperature-Sensing Applications with Multidrop Capability

Each Device Has a Unique 64-Bit Serial Code Stored in On-Board ROM

Flexible User-Definable Nonvolatile (NV) Alarm Settings with Alarm Search Command Identifies Devices with Temperatures Outside Programmed Limits
Available in 8-Pin SO (150 mils), 8-Pin μSOP, and 3-Pin TO-92 Packages

Parts List

I used an expander with the raspberry pi pico fitted to it but you can quite easily connect the neopixel module directly to the board with cables

Name	Link
Raspberry Pi Pico	pimoroni
DS18b20	DS18B20 single-bus digital temperature measurement sensor module

Connecting cables	Free shipping Dupont line 120pcs 20cm male to male + male to female and female to female jumper wire

Layout

An easy module to connect, you simply need to supply 3.3v and gnd for power and pick a GPIO pin for the output. I picked 16 but you can pick a different one but you will have to change the code

I actually bought a module but if you just buy a sensor then you need to fit a 4k7 resistor between DQ and Vcc. The module above takes care of this

Code

I used the thonny IDE that supports Micropython on the Raspberry Pi Pico

You need to import several libraries – import machine, onewire, ds18x20, time

We then specify the pin we are using, in this case I use pin 16, you can of course change this and change the code and it should work OK. We then scan for a sensor and display a message.

You must execute the convert_temp() function to initiate a temperature reading, then wait at least 750ms before reading the value.

You use the read_temp function to return a value and we then pause for 2 seconds and run this again

[codesyntax lang=”python”]

import machine, onewire, ds18x20, time
 
ds_pin = machine.Pin(16)
ds_sensor = ds18x20.DS18X20(onewire.OneWire(ds_pin))
 
roms = ds_sensor.scan()
print('Found a ds18x20 device')
 
while True:
  ds_sensor.convert_temp()
  time.sleep_ms(750)
  for rom in roms:
    print(ds_sensor.read_temp(rom))
  time.sleep(2)

[/codesyntax]

Save this and upload it to your Pico and if you are using the Thonny IDE run it

You should see something like this in the REPL window when run the example

Links

https://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/DS18B20.pdf