Propeller BlocklyProp Block Reference

About Board Types

Why Board Types?

Every time you create a BlocklyProp project, you are prompted to choose a board type. The board type setting changes:

  • the set of blocks available for program-building
  • the menus, ranges, and configuration options for available blocks

Each set of blocks is custom-fit to work well with the built-in accessory circuits on its particular board.  This helps to avoid accidentally misusing the I/O pins connected to a board’s accessory circuits.

Can I change my project’s board type? — NO! Once you have created a project, you cannot change the board type chosen.

Can I upload a blocks file from one board type into a project for another board type? — MAYBE. If you try to upload a BlocklyProp Project .svg file to a project of a different board type, you will see an error message. You can override the message and proceed, but the operation is still likely to fail unless all of the blocks in the project are 100% identical in functionality between the two board types. It is usually best to view the .svg file as a reference for re-building the project with the correct board type.

Propeller Activity Board WX

  • Propeller I/O pin range restricted to P0-P17 on many blocks, and even as low as P13, to protect built-in circuits and ActivityBot applications.
  • Analog/Pulses > Voltage > A/D and D/A are exclusive to this board type.
  • Sensor > 2-axis Joystick is exclusive to this board type (as it uses this board’s A/D).
  • Audio > WAV blocks play files stored on a card in this board’s built-in microSD card slot.
  • Robot  > ActivityBot 360°, ActivityBot, and Arlo blocks are exclusive to this board type.

Propeller Activity Board WX Guide   Propeller Activity Board Guide

Propelller FLiP or Project Board USB

These all-purpose boards have almost no built-in accessory circuits.

  • Excludes blocks that use board-specific built-in accessory circuits (such as the 2-axis Joystick that uses the Activity Board’s built-in A/D converter).
  • Only Robot Initialize block option is Servo Differential Drive
  • No Propeller I/O pin restrictions on P0-P27.
  • Includes Analog/Pulses > Voltage blocks for common ADC DIP chips.

Propeller FLiP Guide  Propeller Project Board USB Guide

Scribbler S3 Robot

See the Scribbler 3 Robot Block Reference.

  • Most blocks are specific to the Scribbler S3 robot, so it has its own reference.
  • Excludes access to most Propeller I/O pins except for those few in the Hacker Port section.
  • Sensor blocks limited to built-in sensors, the Ping))) sensor, and decoding Sony remote signals.
  • Motor blocks support the Scribbler’s built-in motors and a Standard Servo.

Scribbler S3 Info Poster

Hackable Electronic Badge

  • For our original Hackable Electronic Badges (20000, 20100, and 20200) with a USB micro B port for programming.
  • Excludes most blocks with direct Propeller I/O pin access.
  • Sensor blocks are a special set only for this badge’s built-in sensors.
  • Communicate blocks include IR communication and Badge display blocks specific to our badges’ OLED screen.
  • Blocks don’t work on other non-badge board types, and some may be unique to this specific badge.

Hackable Electronic Badge Guide

  Badge WX

  • For our Badge WX, which is programmed wirelessly via onboard ESP8266 WX WiFi module.
  • Excludes most blocks with direct Propeller I/O pin access. Note that Propeller I/O pin assignments are different from those for the original Hackable Electronic Badges.
  • Sensor blocks are a special set only for this badge’s built-in sensors.
  • Communicate blocks include IR communication and Badge display blocks specific to our badges’ OLED screen.
  • Audio > WAV blocks play files stored on a card in this board’s built-in microSD card slot.
  • Some of its blocks don’t work on other non-badge board types, and some may be unique to this specific badge.

Badge WX Product Guide

Other

“Other” is the catch-all category for boards with a Propeller P8X32A microcontroller module that is not otherwise on the list.  There are three major differences in this category:

  • Excludes blocks that are designed for board-specific peripheral circuits.
  • No I/O pin restrictions placed on any blocks.
  • Includes the System category of blocks.

The System category of blocks generally requires some familiarity with text-based programming and the Propeller P8X32A chip architecture for successful use.

Propeller P8X32A Datasheet

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