Wiznet makers

Introduction

This project builds a wired display and LED control portal using an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, a WIZnet W5500 Ethernet Controller, a 4″ ST7796 SPI TFT display, and WS2812 LED strips. It favors wired reliability and low latency over Wi-Fi, making it ideal for dashboards, visual controllers, or industrial indicators. Planned extensions include HTTP/REST APIs, PC applications, and smart home integration.

WIZnet Product Integration

The WIZnet W5500 is connected to the ESP32-S3 via SPI and handles Ethernet communications through its hardware TCP/IP stack. With support for multiple sockets, large internal buffers, and low-latency operation, the W5500 enables deterministic and reliable networking without burdening the MCU.

The intended data path is:
ESP32-S3 MCU → SPI → W5500 → Wired LAN → HTTP/REST clients or servers.

Technical Implementation

Hardware

SPI Bus Allocation: The W5500 and TFT display both use SPI, requiring chip-select management. When using WS2812 LEDs, the led_strip RMT backend is recommended to avoid bus conflicts.

Critical Signals:

• W5500: MOSI, MISO, SCLK, CS, optional INT/RST, 3.3 V logic.
• ST7796 TFT: SCK, MOSI, CS, DC, RST, BL.
• WS2812: Data line (5 V logic recommended), 5 V power, common ground.

Power: High-current LED strips need a separate 5 V power rail with a large electrolytic capacitor near the strip to stabilize voltage.

Software

• LED Control: Uses the led_strip component. The RMT backend is preferred for precision and independence from SPI devices.
• Display: The ST7796 TFT can be driven via an ESP-IDF-compatible driver or with GUI libraries such as LVGL for advanced UIs.
• Networking (Planned): Configuration of the W5500 for DHCP/static IP, automatic reconnection, and an HTTP/REST API service for remote control.

Reproduction Steps

• Clone the repository and set the target: idf.py set-target esp32s3.
• Install required components via the ESP-IDF Component Manager.
• Configure LED pin and LED count in project settings.
• Build, flash, and monitor with idf.py build flash monitor.
• Connect LEDs to a proper 5 V power supply.

Block Diagram

• ESP32-S3 → SPI → TFT Display
• ESP32-S3 → SPI → WIZnet W5500 → LAN
• ESP32-S3 → RMT → WS2812 LEDs

Core Features and Performance

Implemented

• ESP-IDF scaffolding for ESP32-S3.
• WS2812 LED control with presets and button interaction.

Planned

• W5500 Ethernet support.
• HTTP/REST API endpoints.
• Multi-strip LED control.
• Display configuration and UI rendering.
• PC application and Home Assistant integration.

Performance (future measurement plan)

• LED frame rates vs. LED count and brightness.
• Ethernet latency and reconnect time.
• TFT refresh rate with partial and full updates.

Code Analysis 

The repository includes a minimal LED pipeline based on the led_strip component. The get-started blink example shows the core loop—initialize the strip, set a pixel color, and refresh—providing a clean baseline for later features (Ethernet control, REST API, and TFT UI). This snippet captures the essential update flow we build upon.

// path: test_examples/get-started/blink/main/blink_example.c
// func: app_main | purpose: init LED strip and blink one pixel
void app_main(void) {
    led_strip_handle_t strip;
    led_strip_config_t cfg = {
        .strip_gpio_num = CONFIG_BLINK_GPIO,
        .max_leds       = 1,
    };
    led_strip_rmt_config_t rmt = {
        .clk_src = RMT_CLK_SRC_DEFAULT,
        .resolution_hz = 10 * 1000 * 1000
    };
    led_strip_new_rmt_device(&cfg, &rmt, &strip);

    while (true) {
        led_strip_set_pixel(strip, 0, 16, 16, 16);   // dim white
        led_strip_refresh(strip);
        vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(500));
        led_strip_clear(strip);
        led_strip_refresh(strip);
        vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(500));
    }
}

Applications and Use Cases

• Home Dashboard: Ethernet-connected control panel with LED status indicators.
• Event Visuals: Real-time LED animations for shows and interactive installations.
• Industrial Indicators: Low-latency wired display with LED alarms.
• PC Companion: Desktop application controlling presets over Ethernet.
• Smart Home Integration: Planned HTTP/REST hooks for Home Assistant.
• Extension Ideas
  • Add LVGL-based GUI with efficient SPI updates.
  • Implement robust DHCP/static IP fallback and reconnection.
  • Add OTA update capability over Ethernet.
  • Harden security with token authentication and HTTPS gateways.

Safety Notes

• High current demand from LED strips requires careful power design.
• Always use a common ground between MCU and LED supply.
• Avoid SPI conflicts by using RMT for WS2812 instead of SPI backend.

Conclusion

• This project demonstrates how WIZnet W5500 can add reliable wired networking to an ESP32-S3-based LED and display portal. With the LED control loop working and Ethernet plus HTTP/REST planned, it offers makers a strong foundation for stable dashboards, installations, and automation hubs.
• Call to action: Clone the repository, assemble the hardware, and contribute to expanding Ethernet and HTTP functionality for a fully networked portal.