Troubleshooting SPI Communication in ESP32 and W5500 Ethernet Setup
Chev, a member of an Arduino and ESP forum, shares his struggle to establish communication between a PC and an ESP32 system using a W5500 Ethernet module throug
WIZnet - W5500
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Key Steps and Challenges:
Initial Setup and Programming:
- Chev programs the ESP32 using a standard example that sets up UDP communication over Ethernet. The sketch includes basic initialization and a loop to read incoming packets.
Network Configuration:
- He ensures UDP port 8888 is open in Windows 10’s firewall for both incoming and outgoing packets and sets a static IP configuration for the Ethernet.
Troubleshooting:
- After failing to receive packets, Chev checks multiple potential issues: wiring, power supply, and software settings. Despite these efforts, the ESP32 does not seem to receive or correctly interpret incoming packets.
Hardware Investigation:
- A deeper dive into the
EthernetClass::begin()method and subsequent methods likeW5100.init()reveals that initialization fails when trying to detect the W5500 chip. Chev adds diagnostic print statements to trace the method execution paths.
SPI Communication Issues:
- Adjustments in the SPI settings and additional debugging indicate a potential misinterpretation or misconfiguration in reading from and writing to the W5500 registers. Chev notes possible bit shift issues with the register values.
Further Validation:
- Despite adjustments, Chev struggles with incorrect IP and subnet mask readings from the registers, suggesting ongoing data handling or communication problems over SPI.
Insights and Reflections:
- Chev expresses frustration with the complexities encountered using the Arduino platform, which is typically praised for its simplicity and ease of use.
- He provides a detailed account of his debugging process, potentially helping others facing similar issues.
Community Feedback:
- Belferek, another forum user, suggests verifying the basic functionality of the network card and considering hardware issues like cable type or connection problems.
Conclusion:
Chev's detailed exploration into setting up a direct communication line between a PC and an ESP32 using the W5500 indicates a challenging process fraught with technical hurdles. His troubleshooting steps, involving meticulous checking of network settings, hardware connections, and deep dives into software libraries, highlight the complexities of working with network communications on microcontroller platforms. The issue remains unresolved, inviting suggestions or insights from the community on potential fixes or alternative approaches.