What's Jacdac?
Last updated
Last updated
Jacdac is an open source hardware/software platform developed by Microsoft for programming electronic components. It emphasizes modularity, allowing different electronic elements to be plug-and-play (Plug and Play). With Jacdac’s modular design, users can quickly prototype and explore creative ideas, making electronic programming more accessible and user-friendly. The flexibility and powerful extensibility of Jacdac also contribute to its popularity.
Jacdac supports various controllers, including computers, smart devices, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi microcomputers. In the realm of Micro:bit and electronic component design and support, Kittenbot has become an official partner of Microsoft. They collaborate to design and develop Jacdac modules compatible with Micro:bit and other controllers.
To program Jacdac modules, users can easily use MakeCode with Micro:bit V2, which already includes support for Jacdac modules via an extension plugin.
It’s important to note that Jacdac is a new standard, so users need to use hardware that adheres to the Jacdac specifications. Currently, Kittenbot is the sole producer of Jacdac kits.
By connecting a Micro:bit to a Jacdapter, users can add Jacdac interfaces to their Micro:bit projects.
Let’s delve into more details about Jacdac. Before developing Jacdac, Microsoft consulted educational institutions and hardware manufacturers. They identified several challenges with existing Micro:bit extension hardware:
Difficulty finding suitable programming blocks: Users had to search for specific plugins for each extension hardware, making the process cumbersome.
Inconsistency between different plugins: Various manufacturers had their own plugins, leading to confusion.
Lack of hardware support in simulators: Users couldn’t see real-time feedback while writing code.
Complex connection methods: Existing connectors were engineer-oriented and not suitable for students.
To address these issues, Microsoft designed Jacdac with specific features:
Unified plugin: All Jacdac hardware uses the same official plugin, regardless of the manufacturer or hardware type. This simplifies finding appropriate programming blocks.
Standardized hardware design: Jacdac not only defines a protocol but also sets hardware standards. All Jacdac devices must adhere to consistent circuit board sizes, current ratings, safety standards, and connector designs. The standardized connector uses an anti-reverse insertion cable, streamlining wiring.
Simulator support: Jacdac modules can be simulated within MakeCode, allowing code testing without physical hardware.
Additional features of Jacdac include:
Strong expandability: Each Jacdac module can be daisy-chained to another, enabling nearly limitless expansion.
Online hardware programming: MakeCode supports online Jacdac hardware programming. Users can connect Micro:bit and Jacdac hardware to MakeCode for real-time feedback before downloading the program.
Simulation without hardware: Even without physical hardware, users can simulate Jacdac module behavior for testing and development.
Standardized board sizes: Jacdac module circuit boards are designed to align perfectly, ensuring neat and organized installations.
