BIT INDEX TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 INTRODUCTION HOW TO USE LITTLEBITS 5 7 34 59 78 BIT INDEX POWER INPUT WIRE OUTPUT ACCESSORIES 86 88 INVENTION CYCLE TROUBLESHOOTING
Occasionally BitsTM and accessories get updated, so the features or appearance of your Bits may differ from those used in this guide.
hello! Hi. This is the littleBits Bit Index, the place where you can find everything you want to know about all the Bits in your Pro Library collection.
HOW TO USE LITTLEBITS 1 MAKE THIS CIRCUIT FIRST And play with it! What hap�ens when you move this slider? make some noise with a buzzer 2
2 ANATOMY OF A BIT TM Learn how you can tell top from bottom. TOP BOT TOM 3 COLOR-CODED BY FUNCTION Bits are grouped into four different categories, which are color-coded. TM POWER (BLUE) BITSNAP BIT FEET Power Bits, plus a power supply, run power through your circuit. INPUT (PINK) fou� on the fl�o�! Input Bits accept input from you or the environment and send signals that affect the Bits that follow.
BIT INDEX TM POWER 05 06 p1 power p3 USB power INPUT 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 4 i1 slide switch i2 toggle switch i3 button i5 slide dimmer i6 dimmer i7 remote trigger i8 proximity sensor i11 pressure sensor i12 temperature sensor i13 light sensor i16 pulse i17 timeout i18 motion trigger i19 roller switch i20 sound trigger i21 microphone i22 sequencer i23 threshold i25 MP3 player i30 keyboard i31 oscillator i32 filter i33 envelope i34 random i35 de
p1 POWER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The power Bit converts the 9 volts of electricity in the battery to the 5 volts that littleBits circuits run on. o2 LONG LED The power Bit also sends a signal through your circuit. Controlling this signal with inputs is how you control your circuit. MEET THE BIT p1 POWER Every circuit starts with power. It provides the electricity that makes your Bits spin, buzz, blink, and shine.
p3 USB POWER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The USB power Bit sends a 5 volt signal through your circuit, which allows you to power up your Bits. o9 BARGRAPH p3 USB POWER on light MEET THE BIT The USB power may be the smallest in the series, but it's big enough to send electricity to all your creations. This Bit lets you power your circuit through a micro USB cable. It can be connected to a computer, the AC power adapter, or the rechargeable battery.
i1 SLIDE SWITCH SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS When the slide switch is off, it sends a 0 volt signal and will not pass through any Bits past the switch. When the slide switch is on, it sends a 5 volt signal to the following Bits in the circuit. o9 BARGRAPH p1 POWER MEET THE BIT i1 SLIDE SWITCH The slide switch is a small and convenient way to turn your creations on and off. It uses a sturdy plastic lever to switch back and forth.
i2 TOGGLE SWITCH SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS When the toggle switch is off, it sends a 0 volt signal which will not pass through any Bits past the switch. When the toggle switch is on, it sends a 5 volt signal to the following Bits in the circuit. o9 BARGRAPH p1 POWER MEET THE BIT i2 TOGGLE SWITCH The toggle switch is a sturdy on/off switch that you can use to activate your creations with a nice, solid click.
i3 BUT TON SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The button is like a door. When you press it, the door opens, sending an on or 5 volt signal to the following Bits in the circuit. The button is a momentary switch, you must continue to press it for the signal to flow. When you release the button, the door closes, sending an off or 0 volt signal to the following Bits in the circuit.
i5 SLIDE DIMMER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS When the slider is all the way to the left, it’s sending an off or 0 volt signal. When the slider is all the way to the right, it’s sending an on or 5 volt signal. The slider can be positioned to send any signal between 0 and 5 volts. o9 BARGRAPH i5 SLIDE DIMMER p1 POWER MEET THE BIT Slide this dimmer back and forth to control your circuit.
i6 DIMMER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The dimmer is like the knob on a water faucet. The more you turn the knob, the more the water flows from the faucet. The dimmer is similar – the more you twist it clockwise, the more signal it lets through. When the dimmer is all the way to the left, it’s sending an off or 0 volt signal. When the dimmer is all the way to the right, it’s sending an on or 5 volt signal. The dimmer can be positioned to send any signal between 0 and 5 volts.
i7 REMOTE TRIGGER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o14 BRIGHT LED i7 REMOTE TRIGGER p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The remote trigger lets you use a common remote control with your Bit. Make the sample circuit to the right and point a remote control at the remote trigger’s sensor. Then, press any button on your remote control to activate the Bit.
i8 PROXIMITY SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT o9 BARGRAPH i8 PROXIMITY SENSOR HOW IT WORKS The proximity sensor is like a pair of eyes for your circuit. It detects objects by using an infrared beam to sense what's in front of it. As the object gets closer to the proximity sensor, more signal will pass to the following Bits in the circuit. p1 POWER MEET THE BIT This Bit beams an infrared light that allows it to sense objects in front of it.
i11 PRESSURE SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The pad of the sensor detects how much pressure is being applied. The harder you press down on it, the more signal it lets pass to the following Bits in the circuit. o9 BARGRAPH i11 PRESSURE SENSOR Note: Do not fold or crease the pressure sensor. p1 POWER touch here MEET THE BIT The pressure sensor is a touch-activated Bit that responds to how much pressure you put on it.
i12 TEMPERATURE SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The temperature sensor takes a measurement from the environment and translates it into a signal. The higher the temperature it senses, the more signal it sends out to the following Bits in the circuit (making lights brighter and motors turn faster).
i13 LIGHT SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o21 NUMBER p1 POWER 021 number: count down MODE: 021 number: VALUE read value Use the purple screwdriver to turn the dial and adjust how much light it takes to change the signal. Clockwise increases sensitivity, counter clockwise decreases it. i13 LIGHT SENSOR MEET THE BIT MODE: Use this Bit to control your circuits with light! The amount of light shining on the sensor will change how your circuit behaves.
i16 PULSE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The pulse is a switch that opens and closes over and over again. When it's open, it sends an on or 5 volt signal through to the next Bit. When the switch closes, it sends an off or 0 volt signal through to the next Bit. o2 LONG LED p1 POWER MEET THE BIT i16 PULSE The pulse is like a heartbeat that makes the Bits after it turn on and off in a steady rhythm. MINI-CHALLENGE Use the purple screwdriver to adjust the dial.
i17 TIMEOUT SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o6 BUZZER i3 BUTTON p1 POWER i17 TIMEOUT MEET THE BIT MODE: The timeout is a settable timer. Try it after a button and follow it with a noisemaker. Press and release the button to start the countdown. on-off or off-on turn counter clockwise to decrease, turn clockwise to increase TIME: REAL WORLD ANALOGIES C TI TI KITCHEN EGG TIMER 18 C TI C BASKETBALL SHOT CLOCK The timeout works like an alarm clock or a stopwatch.
i18 MOTION TRIGGER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The motion sensor is similar to the sensor on an automatic door. When someone is moving nearby, it will pass the signal to the following Bits in the circuit. It is very sensitive. The motion trigger can sense an area of around 10 feet by 10 feet. o6 BUZZER i18 MOTION TRIGGER p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The motion trigger senses the slightest movement 360 degrees around it.
i19 ROLLER SWITCH SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS When the roller switch's mode switch is set to CLOSE, the signal will not pass through until the lever is pushed in. When the mode switch is set to OPEN, the signal will pass until the lever is pushed in. o13 FAN p1 POWER Note: The lever can only be pushed in towards the Bit. Do not pull the lever away from the Bit. MEET THE BIT i19 ROLLER SWITCH The roller switch has a little lever with a wheel and activates when something presses it.
i20 SOUND TRIGGER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The sound trigger has a microphone that measures how much noise is around it. When the noise goes above a certain level, the sound trigger will send out an on or 5 volt signal to the following Bits in the circuit. Use the adjustment slider to set the sensitivity (how much noise is needed to trigger your Bit). o9 BARGRAPH p1 POWER i20 SOUND TRIGGER sensitivity slider MEET THE BIT Use this Bit to control your circuits with sound.
i21 MICROPHONE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The microphone translates sound into the electronic language of littleBits. Make sure the switch is set to SOUND when you’re using it with the speaker, and OTHER for all your other Bits, like LEDs and motors. The microphone also has a 3.5mm input jack so you can plug in your computer or mp3 player. o9 BARGRAPH p1 POWER i21 MICROPHONE MEET THE BIT MODE: The microphone allows you to use your voice to control your circuits.
i22 SEQEUNCER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The sequencer can carry out multiple tasks for your circuit, but can only do them one at a time. There are clock MODES that control when the Bit transitions from sequence step to sequence step. You can also choose which direction your sequence runs using the DIRECTION knob. o9 BARGRAPH o1 LED p1 POWER i22 SEQUENCER MODE: speed step, clock or For a full description of all the modes and directions, visit: littleBits.
i23 THRESHOLD SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The threshold receives signal from the Bits before it, and doesn’t let the signal pass until it reaches the amount of voltage you set using its knob. Set a higher limit by turning the knob clockwise. The bit does not let any signal pass through unless the signal is more than the limit you set. Don't see any signal passing through? Give it more signal or lower the limit you set by turning the knob counterclockwise.
i25 MP3 PLAYER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The MP3 player reads MP3 files off of the SD card that is underneath the Bit. To choose the order that files are played in, simply rename the MP3 file so that it has a number in front of the file name. The MP3 player will then play your MP3 tracks in numerical order.
i30 KEYBOARD SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The keyboard has two modes: PRESS, which only produces output when you press a button, and HOLD, which will sustain the last note you played. You can use the OCTAVE DIAL to change the playable range. The top bitSnap is a TRIGGER OUT, which sends an on or 5 volt signal whenever a key is pressed. Try using on the TRIGGER IN of the envelope or other Bits.
i31 OSCILLATOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The oscillator allows you to generate sounds when connected to the speaker Bit. The WAVEFORM switch changes the output. The invisible sound wave will either look like a square or a saw. The square has a hollow sound, similar to a flute. The saw has a strong, buzzy sound, similar to brass instruments. It also features a PITCH knob in the center and a TUNE pitch dial. The oscillator's frequency range is 0.3 Hz to 4000 Hz.
i32 FILTER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The CUTOFF knob sets the frequency to be emphasized, while the PEAK knob controls the intensity of the filter. If the peak is turned up all the way, the filter turns into an oscillator! o26 SPEAKER i31 OSCILLATOR p1 POWER peak knob cutoff knob MEET THE BIT i32 FILTER The filter has the biggest effect on the sound’s character or “timbre.” It affects the timbre by changing the relative volume of certain frequencies in the sound.
i33 ENVELOPE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o26 SPEAKER i31 OSCILLATOR i30 KEYBOARD decay knob p1 POWER attack knob i33 ENVELOPE trigger in bitSnap MEET THE BIT The envelope modifies the loudness contour of a sound. It takes a sound input and shapes it into something you’d hear from an acoustic musical instrument, like a piano or saxophone. This envelope has two controls: ATTACK, which is how long it takes to ramp up to maximum volume, and DECAY , which is how long it takes to fade to silence again.
i34 RANDOM SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The random Bit has two modes: NOISE and RANDOM VOLTAGE. In noise mode, it outputs white noise, like a radio not tuned to any station. In random voltage mode, it outputs random voltage signals that can control oscillators. The random Bit needs a clock input like the pulse or micro sequencer. Adjust the speed to change the random rate.
i35 DELAY SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The delay Bit has two knobs: TIME , which sets the delay length between a sound and its repetition, and FEEDBACK , which controls how many times the sound repeats. This Bit will play forever if you turn the knob all the way up. You can also shift the pitch of a sound by turning the control while a sound is repeating.
i36 MICRO SEQUENCER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The micro sequencer sends out voltages based on the position of each of the four STEP knobs. Turn a knob fully counterclockwise to make the step silent. o26 SPEAKER i31 OSCILLATOR p1 POWER i36 MICRO SEQUENCER MODE: MEET THE BIT speed dial The micro sequencer creates short melodies controlled by the pitch knobs. Connect it to an oscillator and it will step through the “sequence” consecutively to make a melody (the LEDs tell you which step is active).
i37 MIX SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The mix Bit accepts signal from two separate inputs, and allows you to mix them together and control how much of each input’s signal passes through to the next Bit. o26 SPEAKER i37 MIX Use the two dials on the Bit to emphasize certain sounds - the sound from one input might be very soft, while the sound from another is stronger. i31 OSCILLATOR w19 SPLIT MEET THE BIT p1 POWER The mix Bit allows you to combine two inputs and send them to a single output.
w1 WIRE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The wire doesn’t change the signal in any way – it just carries the signal over from one Bit to another. Each wire Bit is 6 inches (15 cm) long. o3 RGB LED w1 WIRE p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The wire Bit has a flexible wire running between its two bitSnaps. This allows you to place your Bits farther apart, turn corners, and make connections that can twist, turn, and spin.
w2 BRANCH SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The branch takes the incoming signal and sends it equally to all 3 output bitSnaps. o11 SERVO i6 DIMMER p3 USB POWER o28 LED MATRIX o9 BARGRAPH MEET THE BIT The branch lets you send the same signal to up to 3 other outputs, in 3 different directions.
w3 OR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o9 BARGRAPH w3 OR i3 BUTTON i3 BUTTON POWERSNAP p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The OR Bit is a logic gate with 2 inputs. In order for the output of the OR to be on, there needs to be at least 1 on input. REAL WORLD ANALOGIES s, n, b id ucti o in an a r anyone . ve up w he ne ce g oes i h e pr t LIVE AUCTION 36 Anytime the OR receives a signal lower than 2.5 volts at either of its inputs, the OR sends an off or 0 volt signal from its output.
w4 AND SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o9 BARGRAPH w4 AND i3 BUTTON i3 BUTTON POWERSNAP p1 POWER Anytime the AND receives a signal lower than 2.5 volts at either of its inputs, the AND sends an off or 0 volt signal from its output. If the AND receives a signal greater than 2.5 volts at both of its inputs at the same time, the AND sends an on or 5 volt signal from its output. MEET THE BIT The AND Bit is a logic gate with 2 inputs.
w5 MIDI SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The MIDI Bit functions by acting as a MIDI-to-voltage converter (MIDI IN mode) and a voltage-to-MIDI converter (MIDI OUT mode). The MIDI Bit will show up in your DAW as a MIDI device.
w7 FORK SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The fork takes the incoming signal and sends it to all three output bitSnaps. o21 NUMBER o3 RGB LED w7 FORK p1 POWER o6 BUZZER MEET THE BIT The fork gives you more options for connecting your Bits; it lets you connect a single Bit to as many as three others. If you place an input before the fork, it will control all three outputs at once, such as light, sound, and motion.
w8 LATCH SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS If you place a button in front of the latch, and a light after, pressing the button once will turn it on and keep it ON. Pressing it again will turn it off.
w9 PROTO BIT BREAKDOWN HOW IT WORKS pinheaders: removing the jumpers on these pinheaders allows you to remove VCC, signal, or ground from the circuit output screw terminals for VCC, signal, and ground The proto Bit is what littleBits engineers use to build and prototype new Bits. Hack into existing Bits, or invent a brand-new one by connecting to printed circuit boards or solderless breadboards.
w10 INVERTER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS Anytime the inverter receives a signal lower than 2.5 volts, the inverter sends an on or 5 volt signal from its output. If the inverter receives a signal greater than 2.5 volts, the inverter sends an off or 0 volt signal from its output. o3 RGB LED w10 INVERTER i3 BUTTON p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The inverter is a simple logic Bit.
w14 MAKEY MAKEY BIT ® BIT BREAKDOWN earth pad MODE: micro USB to computer space/click signal indicator KEYPADS right arrow pad MEET THE BIT The Makey Makey Bit turns everyday conductive objects (like bananas) into triggers that control your circuit and even your computer. You can connect the Makey Makey Bit to these objects using the included alligator clips.
SAMPLE CIRCUIT #1 HOW IT WORKS COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT When you connect the Makey Makey Bit to your computer with the micro USB cable it can act like a keyboard or mouse, controlling LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, and SPACE/CLICK. For example, when you touch the SPACE/CLICK pad and an EARTH pad, it is the same as pressing the space bar or left click on your mouse. NOTE: This Makey i12 temp. sensor: Fahrenheit mode MODE: i12 temp.
w15 NOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT o9 BARGRAPH HOW IT WORKS w15 NOR i3 BUTTON i3 BUTTON POWERSNAP p1 POWER Anytime the NOR receives a signal lower than 2.5 volts at either of its inputs, the NOR sends an on or 5 volt signal from its output. If the NOR receives a signal greater than 2.5 volts at either of its inputs or at the same time, the NOR sends an off or 0 volt signal from its output. MEET THE BIT The NOR Bit is a logic gate with 2 inputs.
w16 NAND SAMPLE CIRCUIT o9 BARGRAPH HOW IT WORKS w16 NAND i3 BUTTON i3 BUTTON POWERSNAP p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The NAND Bit is a logic gate with 2 inputs. Think of it as "not and." The NAND Bit will always send an on signal unless both input 1 and input 2 are receiving an on signal. It’s the exact opposite of the AND Bit. REAL WORLD ANALOGIES CLOSING CAR DOORS TO TURN OFF LIGHTS 46 Anytime the NAND receives a signal lower than 2.
w17 XOR HOW IT WORKS SAMPLE CIRCUIT o9 BARGRAPH o17 XOR i3 BUTTON i3 BUTTON POWERSNAP p1 POWER Anytime the XOR receives a signal lower than 2.5 volts at both of its inputs at the same time, the XOR sends an off or 0 volt signal from its output. If the XOR receives a signal greater than 2.5 volts at either of its inputs, the XOR sends an on or 5 volt signal from its output. If the XOR receives a signal greater than 2.
w18 CONTROL VOLTAGE (CV) SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o26 SPEAKER i31 OSCILLATOR p1 POWER MEET THE BIT w18 CONTROL VOLTAGE (CV) The CV Bit lets you integrate synth Bits with other analog synthesizers like modular synths or analog keyboards. Control the pitch of oscillators and cutoff frequency of filters, control analog synthesizers with Bits, or create new control interfaces for your synth. 3.
w19 SPLIT SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The split divides the incoming signal and sends it to the two output bitSnaps. o9 BARGRAPH o6 BUZZER w19 SPLIT p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The split lets you connect a single Bit to two others. If you place an input before the split, it will control the two outputs at once, like a single light sensor controlling two motors. The flexible wires on the split also allow you to place your Bits farther apart and position them how you like.
w20 CLOUDBIT ™ SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o2 LONG LED p3 USB POWER w20 CLOUDBIT MEET THE BIT The cloudBit is the easiest way to create internet-connected devices. You can now snap the internet to anything! Retrofit your thermostat to control it remotely, or set up a soundtriggered alarm system that texts you alerts - the possibilities are endless. No programming, soldering or wiring required.
w21 WIRELESS RECEIVER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o6 BUZZER o14 BRIGHT LED o9 BARGRAPH p1 POWER MEET THE BIT You can control your Bits wirelessly with the inseparable wireless receiver & wireless transmitter pair. The wireless receiver decodes the information that’s sent to it from the wireless transmitter and sends it out of the respective bitSnap to create an action (such as when your RC car moves in the direction you sent it in).
w22 WIRELESS TRANSMITTER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS i3 BUTTON i16 PULSE i6 DIMMER w7 FORK p1 POWER MEET THE BIT You can control your Bits wirelessly with the inseparable wireless receiver & wireless transmitter pair. The wireless transmitter gathers and encodes information (such as where you want an RC car to move) to send to the receiver.
w26 CODEBIT ™ BIT BREAKDOWN serial icon 3 output bitSnaps micro USB port restart button: press briefly to restart your code from the beginning code LED: this LED will be red when code is running on the Bit. CONNECTED green: connected to computer MEET THE BIT The codeBit levels up your littleBits circuits by allowing you to program how your Bits work. Using the littleBits Code Kit app, you can program this Bit to create unique sounds, movements, and animations.
SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The codeBit is a miniature computer that you can use to control your circuit’s behavior. You can program your codeBit to do different things by writing code in the littleBits Code Kit app. When you’re ready, you can instantly upload the code to your codeBit to see how it works. CODEBIT DONGLE Just like all other Bits, the codeBit needs to be connected to a power Bit in order to work.
w27 USB I/O SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o26 SPEAKER i31 OSCILLATOR p1 POWER MEET THE BIT w27 USB I/O The USB I/O Bit allows you to send and receive digital audio and control voltages to and from a computer. When using in conjunction with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), you can record your sounds directly into a computer without the need of an external audio interface. You can also send audio from a computer into the littleBits system to manipulate it, for example with the filter and delay Bit.
w29 PERF BIT BREAKDOWN HOW IT WORKS 0.1" perfboard VCC bus ground bus MEET THE BIT The perf Bit is a quick and easy way to prototype a circuit for a brand-new Bit. It's a standard 0.1" perfboard with a VCC and ground bus connected to our bitSnap connectors. REAL WORLD ANALOGIES BREADBOARD 56 WATER PIPES Use the perf Bit to quickly prototype with different sensors and components by soldering directly to the Bit itself.
w30 LITTLEBITS BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY BIT ® SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS CONTROL YOUR BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY BIT USING THE LITTLEBITS INVENT APP o9 BARGRAPH i5 SLIDE DIMMER p1 POWER The Bluetooth Low Energy Bit can send and receive a signal from your smart device using Bluetooth Low Energy wireless technology, up to a distance of about 80ft (25m) indoors. To use the Bluetooth Low Energy Bit, you first need to connect it to your smart device (smartphone, tablet) through the littleBits Invent app.
USING THE BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY BIT WITH YOUR DEVICE TO GET STARTED WITH THE BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY BIT, download the Once connected, you can use the app’s controls to send signal information from your device to your circuit and vice versa. You can also create custom control dashboards for your inventions. Controls range from simple buttons and dimmers to accelerometers. You can communicate with up to two Bluetooth Low Energy Bits at the same time.
o1 LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS This Bit uses a light-emiting diode (LED) to turn electricity into light. The more signal you send the Bit, the brighter the light shines. o1 LED i3 BUTTON p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The LED (or "Light-Emitting Diode") Bit is a very small board that shines a nice green light. It's our go-to when you want to light something up.
o2 LONG LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS This Bit uses a light-emmiting diode (LED) to turn electricity into light. The more signal you send the Bit, the brighter the light shines. i3 BUTTON p1 POWER o2 LONG LED MEET THE BIT The long LED is a flexible lighting option. We call it the “long” LED because the light is connected to the board by a cable, which lets you put the light in some interesting places.
o3 RGB LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The RGB LED is actually three very small lights (a red, a blue, and a green light). Turning the dials changes the brightness of each light. The colors from these lights mix together to create every color in the rainbow. o3 o3 RGB RGB LED LED R: adjust the amount of red light G: adjust the amount of green light B: adjust the amount of blue light i5 SLIDE DIMMER p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The RGB LED is a light with adjustable color.
o4 VIBRATION MOTOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o4 VIBRATION MOTOR i3 BUTTON p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The vibration motor is very similar to the device that makes your cellphone shake when you get a text. With this Bit, you can make anything vibrate and buzz! This Bit also includes the vibeSnap-- an accessory that helps you attach stuff - like paper, tin foil, or a pipecleaner - to the motor.
o6 BUZZER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The buzzer converts the electrical signal it receives into a vibration, which creates a buzzing sound. The higher the signal it receives, the more intense the vibration, and the louder the sound is. o6 BUZZER i3 BUTTON p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The buzzer makes a sound no one can ignore. It's great at sounding the alarm or annoying those nearby.
o7 IR LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The IR LED emits light waves just beyond the visible spectrum of light. When the signal is increased, the IR LED begins to shine in the infrared spectrum. Bits such as the remote trigger and light sensor are sensitive to this Bit, making them the perfect pair. i3 BUTTON p1 POWER o7 IR LED MEET THE BIT The IR LED (or infrared light-emitting diode) Bit sends out light with longer wavelengths than visible light, similar to the light in your remote control.
o9 BARGRAPH SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The bargraph uses five LEDs to turn electricity into light. Each LED on the board needs a certain amount of signal in order to light up. As you increase the signal sent to the bargraph, more LEDs will shine. o9 BARGRAPH i5 SLIDE DIMMER p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The bargraph shows you how much signal the Bit is receiving with a display of five light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in different colors. Try it with a dimmer to make your own adjustable lamp.
o11 SERVO SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The servo has two modes. In TURN mode, the input from other Bits determines the position of the hub – try using a slide dimmer to set the angle you want. In SWING mode, the servo will move back and forth on its own like a pair of windshield wipers – the input signal controls the speed of the swing. Attach the servo hub. See page 81 i6 DIMMER p3 USB POWER The servo's range of motion is about 110 degrees.
o13 FAN SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS Inside the fan is a tiny motor. When it receives a signal, it spins. The more signal it receives, the faster it spins. i3 BUTTON p1 POWER MEET THE BIT Use the fan to create a gentle breeze, perfect for cooling things off. You can also try taping small things (like stickers or pieces of paper) to the center of the fan for some spinning visuals.
o14 BRIGHT LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The bright LED features a half watt super bright LED that responds to incoming voltages linearly. The more voltage it receives, the brighter it gets. o14 BRIGHT LED i3 BUTTON p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The bright LED (or "Light-Emitting Diode") is a small Bit that puts out a big light. Just like our other LED Bits, it's a great way to shed some light on your creations. Choose the bright LED when you want a LOT of bright white light.
o15 UV LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The UV LED emits an ultraviolet light, at 400nm in the UVA spectrum, which appears purple to our eyes. As the signal is increased, the UV LED begins to light up. The UV LED can make special inks, such as invisible ink, appear visible. i3 BUTTON p1 POWER o15 UV LED MEET THE BIT The UV LED (or "Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode") Bit sends out a special kind of light.
o16 LIGHT WIRE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The light wire Bit uses phosphor as a material to emit light. When the signal is increased, the light wire begins to light up. i3 BUTTON p1 POWER o16 LIGHT WIRE MEET THE BIT The light wire Bit is almost 4 feet long and its entire length glows a soft blue. It's made of special stuff called "electroluminescent wire," which is great to form into glowing shapes. It's best to use in the dark.
o21 NUMBER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The number Bit displays information about the signal it’s receiving. o21 NUMBER reset bitSnap TM MODE: In COUNT mode, the Bit can count up or down when the Bit receives an input signal over 2.5 volts. It can be reset by receiving a signal through the reset bitSnap. count or read i5 SLIDE DIMMER In READ mode, the Bit displays information about the signal it’s receiving in either volts ranging from 0.0–5.0 or values ranging from 0–99.
o25 DC MOTOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The DC (or “direct current”) motor rotates a shaft when it receives a signal. The more signal it receives, the faster the motor will spin. i5 SLIDE DIMMER p1 POWER A switch on the board lets you choose which direction the motor spins. CW spins clockwise and CCW spins counterclockwise.
o26 SPEAKER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS o26 SPEAKER output jack i31 OSCILLATOR p1 POWER volume slider MEET THE BIT Amplify your sonic explorations! The speaker Bit is a tiny speaker that lets you hear the signals coming from an oscillator, an MP3 player, or a codeBit. Pair it with these Bits to add music or sound effects to your inventions. MINI-CHALLENGE The speaker turns audio signals into vibrations that make sound. You can control the speaker’s volume with a slider on the left side of the Bit.
o28 LED MATRIX BIT BREAK DOWN preset button: lets you choose from 5 presets when in SIGNAL mode, and 4 channels in SERIAL mode (see pages 76 and 77 for examples) each square is a pixel made up of an RGB LED MODE: MEET THE BIT The LED matrix is a colorful display that you can control using code or other Bits. Set it to SERIAL mode to program your own graphics, or switch it to SIGNAL mode to play with the preset programs.
SAMPLE CIRCUIT #1 SIGNAL MODE HOW IT WORKS o28 LED MATRIX preset button: choose between 5 preset programs i6 DIMMER POWERSNAP color wheel for more information, check out page 82 You can use different input Bits to control the amount of signal sent to the LED matrix. This will change the display depending on what preset you have selected. All presets require two inputs to fully control them. For more information about SIGNAL mode, check out the LED matrix Tips & Tricks at littleBits.
SAMPLE CIRCUIT #2 SERIAL MODE HOW IT WORKS The LED matrix receives serial data, which it translates into images. For more information about SERIAL mode, check out the LED matrix Tips & Tricks at littleBits.com/tips-tricks/ led-matrix-Bit o28 LED MATRIX serial icons WHAT IS SERIAL? w26 CODEBIT check out pages 53–54 for more information p3 USB POWER i12 temp. sensor: Fahrenheit mode i12 temp.
SAMPLE CIRCUIT #3 TILING HOW IT WORKS MULTIPLE LED MATRIX BITS REQUIRED o28 LED MATRIX use the dimples on the cases to help align the LED matrices When the LED matrix is in serial mode, you can use the codeBit and littleBits Code Kit app to put up to four matrices together to form a bigger image. To help you tile them in the right direction, the case enclosing each LED matrix has dimples and magnets.
a2 USB CABLE MEET THE ACCESSORY micro USB USB plug The USB cable brings power to your USB power Bit and rechargeable battery. It will also send information between certain Bits and your computer. The cable comes in two lengths, 1'7" (0.5m) and 4'11" (1.5m), to fit your needs. MEET THE ACCESSORY Shoes slip onto your Bits' feet and hold your circuit together.
a10 MOTORMATE a8 BRICK ADAPTER MEET THE ACCESSORY MEET THE ACCESSORY The brick adapter enables you to easily snap your Bits to LEGO® bricks. Each pack comes with brick adapter studs and sockets. The motorMate makes it easy to attach paper, cardboard, LEGO axles, and lots of other materials to the DC motor. ® HOW IT WORKS With brick adapter studs, your Bits will defy gravity! Simply snap an adapter underneath your bricks and press the feet of your Bits into place.
a14 AC POWER ADAPTER a19 SERVO HUB MEET THE ACCESSORY MEET THE ACCESSORY This power adapter and USB cable combo is the perfect way to provide long-term power to your littleBits creations. HOW IT WORKS This power adapter converts your 100–240V AC wall power into the 5 volt power that littleBits circuits and the rechargeable battery run on. Simply connect a USB cable from the power adapter to your littleBits USB power Bit, or rechargeable battery. 100–240V AC 50/60Hz; Output: 5.0V DC 2000mA.
a21 POWERSNAP a23 MECHANICAL ARM MEET THE ACCESSORY MEET THE ACCESSORY The powerSnap supplies power to an open input without extra forks, splits, or power supplies. HOW IT WORKS Every littleBits circuit needs power, and every Bit receives power through its input bitSnap. When using Bits with multiple inputs, like the codeBit, you can use powerSnaps to bring power to inputs not directly connected to the power Bit. The powerSnaps only work if you have a power Bit connected somewhere else in your circuit.
a24 SERVO MOUNT a25 WHEEL MEET THE ACCESSORY The servo mount lets you attach your servo to a mounting board or a pair of littleBits shoes. With feet on two sides of the mount, you can orient the servo in all directions. It’s a great way to keep the servo steady so the arm can go wild. HOW IT WORKS To use the servo mount: Carefully separate the white plug from the circuit board. Slip the plug through the vertical slot in the servo mount.
a27 RECHARGEABLE BATTERY micro USB port, for charging charging done a26 MOUNTING BOARD a28 MOUNTING BOARD (8" × 7") MEET THE ACCESSORY The rechargeable battery is a portable power source for your inventions, which you can use over and over again. USB port, for powering littleBits mounting boardcompatible feet HOW IT WORKS To power your circuit, connect the USB plug to the charged battery, and the micro USB to the p3 USB power Bit.
a29 CODEBIT DONGLE MEET THE ACCESSORY The codeBit dongle allows you to wirelessly upload code from your computer to your codeBit. HOW IT WORKS The codeBit dongle goes into the USB port of your computer. Use the codeBit dongle to connect your codeBit to the littleBits Code Kit app. Code that you’ve written in the Code Kit app will be wirelessly uploaded via Bluetooth Low Energy to the codeBit through the codeBit dongle.
85
THE LITTLEBITS INVENTION CYCLE TM The littleBits Invention Cycle is a roadmap for your invention journey. Each phase is full of activities and questions that help you explore your ideas and develop your invention. DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LITTLEBITS INVENTION CYCLE EXACTLY IN ORDER? Nope! If you want, you can remix while you play or share while you create. Each phase of the invention cycle represents a different way of thinking and making.
CREATE CREATE THE LITTLEBITS INVENTION CYCLE from the instructions or make something from your imagination. Don't worry if it doesn't work or if it isn't perfect. The important thing is to create your first model so you have something to experiment with. PLAY SHARE PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER. You can build it REMIX IMPROVE YOUR INVENTION. Keep experimenting! Add new Bits, swap parts with other inventions, or take all the pieces apart and put them together in a different way.
TROUBLESHOOTING 1 4 88 MAKE SURE YOUR POWER BIT TM IS ON. see a red LED illuminated on the board. You should CHECK YOUR CONNECTIONS. Are all the Bits securely snapped to each other? You can also try gently wiping down the ends of the bitSnaps with a soft cloth (like your sleeve). Sometimes dust gets in the way of a strong connection. Try unsnapping, cleaning the bitSnaps, and snapping it all back together again. 2 5 IN-DEPTH TROUBLESHOOTING AVAILABLE AT LITTLEBITS.
Important safety information, keep this sheet for reference. Do not discard. WARNING This product contains small magnets. Swallowed magnets can stick together across intestines causing serious infections and death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are swallowed or inhaled. Most Bits are small parts. DO NOT allow children under 3 years old to play with or near this product. NEVER connect any Bits or circuits to any AC electrical outlet.
700-0165
