--- title: "FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/Grace_Koo/projects/fm-artnetnode-4u-v2/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/Grace_Koo/projects/fm-artnetnode-4u-v2/md" type: "UCC: User Created Content" author: "michifx512" author_url: "https://github.com/michifx512/FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2" editor: "WIZnet" editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/" original_author: "michifx512" original_url: "https://github.com/michifx512/FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2" published: "2026-07-31" language: "en" hardware: ["WIZnet W5500"] likes: 0 views: 192 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2 > Raspberry Pi Pico + W5500-Lite four-universe Art-Net-to-DMX512 node, using the W5500 hardware socket for UDP and web config. Original author: michifx512 (source: https://github.com/michifx512/FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2) ## Components - **WIZnet W5500** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500)) WIZnet parts: W5500 ([Datasheet](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500/datasheet?utm_source=maker&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=w5500), [product hub](https://maker.wiznet.io/products/w5500/)) ## Article ## How a Raspberry Pi Pico 4-Universe Art-Net-to-DMX512 Node Uses the WIZnet W5500 (W5500-Lite) Hardware Socket for Reliable Stage Lighting Control --- ### Overview Driving stage lighting from a PC or console needs a node that turns network commands into the **DMX512** signal fixtures understand. **FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2** is a custom-built **Art-Net → DMX512 node** based on the **Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040)**, made as an author's high-school graduation "masterpiece" project for events, concerts, and clubs. Its defining trait is **scale on a small MCU**: it outputs **4 DMX universes (2,048 channels)** at once. It receives the lighting-standard protocol **Art-Net** over wired Ethernet and converts it to four independent DMX512 lines driven through the RP2040's **PIO** serial engines and **MAX485** transceivers. The Ethernet gateway is a **WIZnet W5500-Lite** module (W5500 + transformer + RJ45), wired to the Pico over **SPI**, and the design uses the W5500's **hardware TCP/IP socket** both for **Art-Net UDP reception** and for a **built-in configuration web server**. --- ### Key Features - **W5500 hardware socket for Art-Net UDP**: Art-Net is a UDP protocol (port 6454) carrying real-time DMX with low latency; an ArtDmx packet is 530 bytes (18-byte header + up to 512 DMX bytes). The W5500 handles the TCP/IP layer in hardware, so the RP2040 receives Art-Net through a hardware socket without a software network stack eating its cycles — leaving the MCU free for four simultaneous DMX outputs. - **4 universes / 2,048 channels**: Rather than a single-universe bridge, this node drives 4 universes at once. The Pico exposes 2 physical UARTs plus 8 PIO-based serial ports, and PIO is used to generate the multiple DMX512 lines in parallel — a natural fit for multi-universe output. - **Dual W5500 protocol use — UDP + TCP web server**: Beyond receiving Art-Net over UDP, the same W5500 hosts a **configuration web server** so IP, MAC, universes, and the ports in use can be set from a browser. It uses the chip for both realtime data (UDP) and management (TCP) — a clean demonstration of the W5500's multi-socket hardware. - **Easy Ethernet via the W5500-Lite module**: The W5500-Lite integrates the W5500, magnetics, and RJ45, so Ethernet is added with just an SPI hookup — no magnetics/RJ45 circuit design. The 100×100 mm PCB was kept compact to cut cost and keep the high-speed SPI link to the W5500 clean. - **Robust, event-ready hardware**: DMX output via MAX485 (RS-485 differential), a logic-level shifter for 3.3 V↔5 V, DC-DC conversion, reverse-voltage and multi-source protection diodes, activity/status LEDs on packet reception, and last-frame memory so the last state is held. Packaged in a 3D-printed 1U rack case (200×150×45 mm) with connectors for Ethernet, DMX, USB (firmware), and power. --- ### System Architecture ```plaintext [Lighting SW / console] │ Art-Net (UDP 6454), wired Ethernet ▼ [W5500-Lite (W5500)] ── hardware socket ──► also hosts config web server (TCP) │ SPI ▼ [Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040)] │ Art-Net parse → 4 DMX buffers │ (last-frame memory, status LEDs) ▼ [PIO serial ×4] ──► [MAX485 ×4] (3.3V↔5V level shift) │ RS-485 differential ▼ [4× DMX512 universes = 2,048 channels] │ ▼ [Stage lighting fixtures] ``` **The W5500's role in the data path**: The W5500 (W5500-Lite) is the **Ethernet entrance** linking lighting software to the node. It receives Art-Net UDP packets through a hardware socket and hands the DMX payload to the RP2040, which fans it out to four universes. The same chip also answers the browser-based setup page, so one Ethernet interface serves both live control and configuration. --- ### Role and Application of the WIZnet Chip - **Chip/module used**: WIZnet **W5500** (as the **W5500-Lite** module — W5500 + transformer + RJ45 integrated). - **Connection**: Wired to the Raspberry Pi Pico via **SPI**. As a finished module, it needs no Ethernet physical-layer (magnetics/RJ45) design; the PCB was kept at 100×100 mm partly to keep this high-frequency SPI link short and clean. - **Its role**: - *Realtime path (UDP)*: Wired-Ethernet reception of Art-Net (UDP 6454), which the Pico converts to four DMX512 universes. - *Management path (TCP)*: Serving a configuration web server for IP, MAC, universe mapping, and ports. - **Why hardware TCP/IP matters here**: - *MCU resource savings*: With the W5500 doing TCP/IP in hardware, the RP2040's compute and PIO stay dedicated to generating 4 DMX streams — the hard real-time job. - *Stability / determinism*: In lighting, dropouts or jitter are instant, visible failures. Wired Ethernet plus a hardware socket gives deterministic, low-latency reception even under a high packet rate. - **What weakens without the W5500**: The RP2040 would need a software Ethernet stack plus an external MAC/PHY, stealing cycles from the four DMX outputs and complicating the board. The hardware socket is what makes stable 4-universe Ethernet lighting practical on a low-cost MCU. --- ### Related Existing Contents Framed as comparisons with other "MCU + W5500 → Art-Net-to-DMX" builds. **STM32 USB + Art-Net-to-DMX interface** (midi-and-more.de lineage) An STM32 (Nucleo-L476 / F042) node that receives Art-Net over W5500 and also takes USB (MIDI/ASCII/MiniDMX), using the W5500 hardware UDP socket at register level. - *Similarities*: The core — **MCU + W5500 hardware socket receiving Art-Net (UDP) → DMX512** — is the same, as is the "add Ethernet to a small MCU with no software stack" idea. - *Differences*: The STM32 build weights **USB multi-input (MIDI/ASCII/MiniDMX)** and single-universe operation. This project instead scales to **4 universes / 2,048 channels** via RP2040 PIO, and adds a **W5500-hosted web config server** — i.e. it leans on the W5500 for *both* UDP data and TCP management. **stm32_artnet_dmx** (max-verem, GitHub) An Art-Net → DMX512 gateway on STM32F411 + W5500 with a hand-written low-level driver, SPI-DMA/TIM-DMA optimization, OLED, and CLI. - *Similarities*: STM32/MCU + W5500 hardware socket, Art-Net→DMX512 conversion. - *Differences*: max-verem emphasizes DMA-level throughput tuning on a single-universe-class path; this project emphasizes **multi-universe output on the Pico**, **module-based Ethernet (W5500-Lite)**, and **browser configuration**, with a strong **DIY / educational** framing (a graduation project with a full write-up and PCB). In short, "receive Art-Net with an MCU + W5500 and convert to DMX512" has several cases. **What sets FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2 apart is combining a Raspberry Pi Pico's PIO for 4-universe (2,048-channel) output with a W5500 used across both Art-Net UDP reception and a TCP configuration web server.** --- ### Market & Application Value - **Events / concerts / clubs (B2C/prosumer)**: A 4-universe node that connects standard lighting software and consoles (Art-Net) to fixtures over DMX — enough channel count for real shows in a compact 1U box. - **DIY / maker / education**: A documented graduation project (PCB in EasyEDA, 3D-printed case, C/C++ firmware) — a strong teaching resource for RP2040 + W5500 Ethernet, PIO serial, RS-485/DMX, and web-based config. - **Fixed installs**: The web server for IP/MAC/universe/port setup makes it convenient to deploy and re-address on site without reflashing. - **Low-cost node for lighting software**: A budget Art-Net endpoint for any Art-Net-capable controller needing multiple universes. - **Why it's advantageous in real use**: The W5500-Lite module + hardware socket let a low-cost MCU do stable, multi-universe Ethernet lighting, while the module removes Ethernet circuit-design burden and the on-chip TCP sockets enable browser configuration. --- ### WIZnet Strategic Value - **Hardware TCP/IP under real-time load**: The project shows the W5500 sustaining Art-Net UDP reception while the MCU generates 4 DMX streams — the core value proposition of offloading networking to hardware. - **Multi-socket, dual-protocol showcase**: Using the same W5500 for **UDP (Art-Net data)** and **TCP (web config)** demonstrates the chip's multi-socket hardware in one compact product. - **Small-MCU + W5500-module reference**: RP2040 + W5500-Lite is a clean, low-cost reference for adding robust Ethernet to popular hobbyist-grade MCUs. - **Module (W5500-Lite) adoption case**: Choosing a finished module over a bare chip lowered PCB complexity and RF/magnetics design risk — showing the value of WIZnet modules in DIY / low-volume builds. - **Entertainment-lighting market reach**: An Art-Net / DMX512 node broadens WIZnet's footprint in the stage, event, and club lighting market. - **Reference-code value**: An RP2040 + W5500 Art-Net node (with web config) is useful reference material for developers pairing the Pico with WIZnet Ethernet. --- ### FAQ **Q. How are Art-Net and DMX512 different?** DMX512 is the RS-485 serial signal fixtures receive directly (up to 512 channels per universe). Art-Net carries that DMX data over Ethernet using UDP for low-latency realtime transport. This node receives Art-Net and outputs DMX512 to the fixtures. **Q. Why 4 universes / 2,048 channels?** One universe is 512 channels; larger rigs need more. This node outputs 4 universes at once, using the RP2040's PIO serial engines to drive four DMX lines in parallel. **Q. What is the W5500-Lite? Is it different from the W5500?** The W5500-Lite is a compact WIZnet module integrating the W5500 chip with a transformer and RJ45. The chip inside is the W5500; you attach the module over SPI with no separate Ethernet-circuit design. **Q. Does the W5500 do more than receive Art-Net?** Yes. Besides receiving Art-Net over UDP, the W5500 also hosts a configuration web server (TCP) for setting IP, MAC, universes, and ports from a browser — using the chip's multi-socket hardware for both data and management. **Q. Why does it stay stable at a high packet rate?** Because the W5500 handles TCP/IP in hardware. The MCU only parses received DMX and drives the four outputs, so networking overhead doesn't compete with the real-time DMX generation. --- ### Limitations / Notes - **The chip/module used is the W5500 (W5500-Lite module)**, serving as the Art-Net Ethernet reception gateway and the config web-server host. - **Hardware TCP/IP usage**: The design receives Art-Net via the W5500 (UDP) and serves a web server via the W5500 (TCP). Low-level implementation specifics (register-level vs. library) beyond what the project README states are not detailed here. - **What the W5500 does not do**: DMX512 signal generation (PIO + MAX485), 3.3 V↔5 V level shifting, last-frame memory, and status LEDs are the MCU/board's roles, not the W5500's. The W5500 handles Ethernet (Art-Net UDP + web config TCP). - **A DIY / student project**: FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2 is a custom-built high-school graduation ("maturità") project with published PDF documentation, firmware, and PCB — not a commercial product. Treat specs and behavior as project-stated. - **Information basis**: Summarized from the project's GitHub repository (README in Italian, plus the linked project PDF). Any later changes are unconfirmed. --- > **Source / Reference Links** > > - Project repository: https://github.com/michifx512/FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2 > > - Full project document (PDF): https://github.com/michifx512/FM-ArtNetNode_4U_V2/blob/main/FM-ArtNetNode.pdf > > - WIZnet W5500: https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500 > > **Related Projects** > > - STM32 USB+Art-Net-to-DMX512 interface (midi-and-more.de) > > - [stm32_artnet_dmx (max-verem, GitHub)](https://github.com/max-verem/stm32_artnet_dmx) --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/Grace_Koo/projects/fm-artnetnode-4u-v2/