Getting Started with the Sense HAT

Gather and display environmental data using the Sense HAT

Written By: Cherie Tan

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Previously, you might have tried your hands with programming the Sense HAT emulator.

In this guide, you will get started with using an actual Sense HAT with the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+.

After completing this guide, you will have gathered real-world data using the Sense HAT.

Note: The existing code will work fine on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B+ as well. However, it will be run on Thonny IDE instead.

Step 1 Attach Sense HAT to Raspberry Pi

Attach the Sense HAT to the Raspberry Pi by aligning and inserting the 40-pin header as shown.

Insert the NOOBS microSD card into the Raspberry Pi, and then power it up with the official power supply.

Step 2 Install Sense HAT Software

First, to make sure the package lists are up to date: sudo apt-get update

Install the Sense HAT software with the following commands: sudo apt-get install sense-hat

Reboot the Raspberry Pi: sudo reboot

Step 3 Open IDLE using sudo

sudo idle3 &

We will control the Sense HAT by first programming it in Python on the Raspberry Pi.
To do so, we need administrative privileges to execute scripts. So open up a terminal window and run IDLE with the following command:

If you're using a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B+, jump to Step 5.

Step 4 Create a sense.py file

Click on the Raspberry Pi icon on the top left hand corner to access the main menu.

Click on Programming > Python 3 (IDLE).

Now, create a new file by clicking File > New File.

Next, save the file by clicking File > Save, and naming it sense.py

Step 5 Start Thonny IDE

If you are using the latest Raspberry Pi 4 Model B+ then IDLE will have been replaced with Thonny IDE. So go ahead and click on the Raspberry Pi logo on the top left-hand corner.

Navigate to Programming > Thonny Python IDE

Step 6 The Python Code

from sense_hat import SenseHat

sense = SenseHat()

This code will work fine for both the Raspberry Pi 3B+ and Raspberry Pi 4B+.

First, we will import the relevant Python modules with:

from sense_hat import SenseHat

Then place it in a variable, called "sense".

Step 7 Environmental sensors

from sense_hat import SenseHat

sense = SenseHat()

temp = sense.get_temperature()
pres = sense.get_pressure()
hum = sense.get_humidity()

Using the Sense HAT's sensors, let's measure the temperature in degree celsius using:

temp = sense.get_temperature()

Pressure in millibars using:

pres = sense.get_pressure()

Humidity as a percentage by using:

hum = sense.get_humidity()

Step 8 Print the measurements

from sense_hat import SenseHat

sense = SenseHat()

temp = sense.get_temperature()
pres = sense.get_pressure()
hum = sense.get_humidity()

print(temp)
print(pres)
print(hum)

Add the following lines to your code to print out the temperature, pressure and humidity readings from the Sense HAT.

Step 9 Round the reading off

from sense_hat import SenseHat

sense = SenseHat()

temp = sense.get_temperature()
temp = round(temp, 1)
pres = sense.get_pressure()
hum = sense.get_humidity()

print(temp)
print(pres)
print(hum)

To round the reading off to one decimal place (in this example, we'll do it for the temperature measurement), just before the print(temp) line add this line below:

temp = round(temp, 1)

Step 10 Run the module

If you are using a Raspberry Pi 4B+ and Thonny IDE, simply click on the Run button and the readings will be output to the Shell.

Now click on Run > Run Module or press F5 on your keyboard to run the program.

You should see three measurements being printed.

Step 11 Sense HAT temperature correction

Are the Sense HAT's temperature readings a little too high? They probably are and this is due to the heat generated from the Raspberry Pi's CPU which heats up the air around the Sense HAT! This will probably be the case if you have the Sense HAT sitting directly on top of the Raspberry Pi. A workaround is to use a 40-pin extension cable to get the Sense HAT away from the Pi.

To attach the ribbon cable to the Raspberry Pi, you will also require a 40-pin male header. Please follow instructions here. In summary, you can actually remove the female header on the back of the Sense HAT, and attach a 40-pin coupler adapter (male pins). That way, the ribbon cable can be used to connect with it and the Pi.