Lilygo T-ETH-Lite on ESP32 S3 with the ability to power via POE and connect a camera to ESPHome.
In this video we looked at a relatively new Lilygo T-ETH-Lite ESP32 S3 module. It is made on the Wisenet W5500 ethernet chip.
Overview of TTH Lite Modules by Lil Go: Ethernet, PoE, and Camera in One Solution
In this overview, we'll explore the interesting TTH Lite modules from Lil Go, built on the ESP32 S3 microcontroller. These modules offer unique capabilities for projects that require reliable Ethernet connectivity, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and the use of a camera.
Main Module: TTH Lite with ESP32 S3
The first module in the series is the TTH Lite, featuring the ESP32 S3 microcontroller and a built-in W5500 Ethernet chip. This module supports LAN network connections, making it ideal for scenarios where Wi-Fi is either unavailable or unstable. Additionally, the board includes a microSD card slot, expanding its data storage options. The flexibility of the ESP32 S3 in configuring GPIO pins allows this module to be used for various data transmission tasks over an Ethernet network.
PoE Shield for TTH Lite
The second module in the lineup is the PoE Shield, which enables the main module to be powered via PoE (Power over Ethernet). The module easily connects to the main board, forming a "sandwich" of sorts, and provides power to the system through an Ethernet cable. This is a convenient solution for those looking to minimize wiring in their projects.
Camera Module for TTH Lite
The third module is the Cam Shield, equipped with a camera that also connects to the main TTH Lite module. The camera can stream real-time video, making it suitable for creating a PoE camera. However, some challenges were encountered when integrating the camera with ESPHome, which requires further tweaking.
Programming and Integration with ESPHome
These modules are easily programmed via a USB-TTL converter and are supported in ESPHome. However, to correctly use Ethernet, the Wi-Fi block must be removed from the configuration since ESPHome doesn't support running both blocks simultaneously. As for the camera module, there were some difficulties in getting it to work correctly, particularly when trying to use it in ESPHome-based projects.