---
title: "W5500_CM4_CM4IO-board"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/Benjamin/projects/w5500-cm4-cm4io-board/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/Benjamin/projects/w5500-cm4-cm4io-board/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "saidijongo"
author_url: "https://github.com/saidijongo/W5500_CM4_CM4IO-board_#w5500_cm4_cm4io-board_"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "saidijongo"
original_url: "https://github.com/saidijongo/W5500_CM4_CM4IO-board_#w5500_cm4_cm4io-board_"
published: "2023-11-13"
language: "en"
likes: 0
views: 710
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---

# W5500_CM4_CM4IO-board

> W5500 chip and Raspberry pi computing module are connected to a custom board.

Original author: saidijongo (source: https://github.com/saidijongo/W5500_CM4_CM4IO-board_#w5500_cm4_cm4io-board_)

## Article

#### Introduction

The W5500 chip, a robust Ethernet controller, is a popular choice for adding network capabilities to embedded systems. When paired with the versatile Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4), it unlocks a world of IoT and network applications. This article delves into the nuances of connecting the W5500 chip with the Raspberry Pi CM4 and configuring it for optimal performance.

#### W5500: The Network Powerhouse

The W5500, by WIZnet, is an Ethernet controller with a built-in TCP/IP stack, capable of 10/100 Mbps speeds. It is renowned for its stability and ease of integration, making it a go-to for IoT projects.

#### Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4: Versatility at Its Core

The Raspberry Pi CM4 offers the power of Raspberry Pi 4 in a compact form factor. It's ideal for industrial and embedded applications, thanks to its flexible IO options.

#### Integration: Hardware Setup

1. **Custom Board Design**: The CM4 requires a custom IO board for interfacing. Ensure your board has an SPI interface for the W5500 and appropriate GPIO pins for additional controls.

2. **W5500 Connection**: Connect the W5500's SPI pins (MOSI, MISO, SCK) to the corresponding SPI interface on the CM4 IO board. The Chip Select (CS) pin should be connected to a designated GPIO pin.

#### Software Configuration: Raspberry Pi OS & W5500 Drivers

1. **Raspberry Pi OS Setup**: Start with Raspberry Pi OS on your CM4. Ensure it's updated to the latest version for best compatibility.

2. **Boot Configuration**:
  - Edit **/boot/firmware/config.txt** to include SPI and W5500 specific overlays.
  - Example: **dtoverlay=anyspi,spi0-0,dev="w5500",speed=30000000**.

3. **Driver Installation**:
  - WIZnet provides a dedicated Ethernet library for the W5500.
  - Install it using **git clone https://github.com/Wiznet/ioLibrary_Driver.git** and follow the build instructions.

#### Programming with Python: CircuitPython & Adafruit WIZNET5K Library

1. **Library Installation**:
  - Install the Adafruit CircuitPython library for WIZnet 5k using **pip install adafruit-circuitpython-wiznet5k**.

2. **Basic Script**:
  - Initialize SPI, set CS pin, and configure the network settings.
  - Sample Code:

```python
import board
import digitalio
from adafruit_wiznet5k.adafruit_wiznet5k import WIZNET5K

cs = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.D5)
spi_bus = board.SPI()
eth = WIZNET5K(spi_bus, cs)
```

1. **Network Operations**:
  - Once initialized, you can use the Ethernet instance **eth** for various network tasks like making HTTP requests or opening sockets.

#### Advanced Configurations: Tweaking Performance

1. **Speed Optimization**: Set the SPI speed to a higher value if your application demands fast data transfer.

2. **Static IP vs DHCP**: Depending on your network setup, choose between a static IP or DHCP in your code.

#### Troubleshooting Tips

1. **SPI Communication**: Verify the SPI connection and ensure the CS pin is correctly configured.

2. **Ethernet Library**: Ensure the W5500 library is correctly installed and updated.

3. **Network Diagnostics**: Use tools like **ping** and **ifconfig** to diagnose network connectivity issues.

#### Conclusion

Integrating the W5500 with the Raspberry Pi CM4 can elevate your embedded projects to new heights. With the right hardware setup and software configurations, you can harness the power of Ethernet in your applications.

#### Further Resources

- [WIZnet Ethernet Library GitHub Repository](https://github.com/Wiznet/WIZ_Ethernet_Library)

- Raspberry Pi CM4 Datasheet

- Adafruit CircuitPython WIZNET5K Documentation

---

Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/Benjamin/projects/w5500-cm4-cm4io-board/