# Python GPIO development

***Copyright © Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.***

---

Basic procedure for accessing GPIO on Quectel Pi using Python.

# Environment Verification

```bash
gpiodetect
ls -l /dev/gpiochip*
gpioinfo
python3 --version
```

| **Device Node** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| /dev/gpiochip0 | Currently verified as the primary GPIO controller, labeled 400000.pinctrl |
| /dev/gpiochip1 | Currently verified as the PMIC-related GPIO controller |
| /dev/gpiochip2 | Currently verified as the LPI-related GPIO controller |

# Installing Dependencies

It is recommended to use a virtual environment before installing the Python GPIO library.

```bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y gpiod python3-venv python3-pip
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install python-periphery
```

# Input Reading Example

This example uses line 36 on `/dev/gpiochip0`. Before development, refer to the M1 pin definition to verify the mapping between the physical pin and the line offset.

```python
from periphery import GPIO

chip = "/dev/gpiochip0"
line = 36

gpio = GPIO(chip, line, "in")
try:
    print(gpio.read())
finally:
    gpio.close()
```

# Output Example

```python
from periphery import GPIO
import time

chip = "/dev/gpiochip0"
line = 36

gpio = GPIO(chip, line, "out")
try:
    gpio.write(True)
    time.sleep(1)
    gpio.write(False)
finally:
    gpio.close()
```

# Important Notes

- The GPIO line offset is not the physical header pin number. Verify the M1 pin definition before wiring.

- Use `gpioinfo` to check whether a line is already in use by the system. Do not directly claim lines marked `[used]`.

- The gpiod tool currently installed on the board is libgpiod v1.6.3. For command-line verification, refer to the GPIOD Usage Guide.