--- title: "adsb-rp2350-rtltcp : PoE Remote SDR Receiver with WIZnet W6300" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/lawrence/projects/8gfmg8p9pz-sketch-adsb-rp2350-rtltcp/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/lawrence/projects/8gfmg8p9pz-sketch-adsb-rp2350-rtltcp/md" type: "UCC: User Created Content" author: "8gfmg8p9pz-sketch" author_url: "https://github.com/8gfmg8p9pz-sketch/adsb-rp2350-rtltcp" editor: "WIZnet" editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/" original_author: "8gfmg8p9pz-sketch" original_url: "https://github.com/8gfmg8p9pz-sketch/adsb-rp2350-rtltcp" published: "2026-09-30" language: "en" tags: ["PoE"] hardware: ["WIZnet W6300"] likes: 0 views: 25 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # adsb-rp2350-rtltcp : PoE Remote SDR Receiver with WIZnet W6300 > A remote SDR receiver using RP2350, W6300, and PoE to control an RTL-SDR over Ethernet and stream I/Q data to GQRX through rtl_tcp. Original author: 8gfmg8p9pz-sketch (source: https://github.com/8gfmg8p9pz-sketch/adsb-rp2350-rtltcp) ## Components - **WIZnet W6300** x 1 ([docs](https://wiznet.io/products/ethernet-chips/w6300)) WIZnet parts: W6300 ([Datasheet](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W6300/datasheet?utm_source=maker&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=w6300), [product hub](https://maker.wiznet.io/products/w6300/)) ## Article ## PoE Remote SDR Receiver with WIZnet W6300 RTL-SDR is usually connected directly to a PC over USB. This project moves the SDR receiver closer to the antenna and sends the received data over Ethernet instead. The hardware is built around the **Waveshare RP2350-POE-ETH**, which combines an RP2350 MCU with a **WIZnet W6300 Ethernet controller**. With PoE, both network connectivity and power can be delivered through a single Ethernet cable. #### System Architecture ```plaintext Antenna ↓ RTL-SDR ↓ USB RP2350 ↓ W6300 ↓ Ethernet / rtl_tcp PC / GQRX ``` The RP2350 handles USB communication with the RTL-SDR, while the W6300 provides the TCP/IP connection to the PC. The project was tested at **250 kS/s**, streaming about **488 kB/s**, with FM and **118.1 MHz AM Airband** reception verified in GQRX. --- ### Hardware | Component | Role | | --- | --- | | **WIZnet W6300** | Ethernet and TCP/IP communication | | Waveshare RP2350-POE-ETH | Main RP2350 + W6300 board | | RTL-SDR Dongle | RF receiver and I/Q data source | | PoE Module | Power over Ethernet | | USB OTG Adapter | Connects RTL-SDR to RP2350 | | Antenna | Receives the target RF signal | --- ### How rtl_tcp Is Used `rtl_tcp` is a TCP-based interface that allows SDR software to control an RTL-SDR remotely. The PC sends commands such as: - Center frequency - Sample rate - Gain - AGC settings For example, when a user selects **118.1 MHz** in GQRX, the frequency command is sent through the W6300 to the RP2350. The RP2350 then applies the setting to the RTL-SDR through USB. In the opposite direction, the RTL-SDR continuously sends I/Q data to the RP2350, and the W6300 streams that data back to GQRX. This allows the remote SDR to behave similarly to a locally connected RTL-SDR. --- ### Role of the W6300 The W6300 is the main network interface in this project. It handles both SDR control traffic and the continuous I/Q stream between the embedded device and the PC. The main rtl_tcp connection uses **TCP port 1234**. The project also uses Ethernet for: - OTA firmware update - Network logging - Scanner configuration - Multi-node scanner communication Using rtl_tcp also means that existing SDR software such as GQRX can connect directly without requiring a custom PC application. --- ### What the PC Does Most SDR signal processing remains on the PC. GQRX handles: - Spectrum display - Waterfall display - AM/FM demodulation - Audio output - Frequency and gain control This keeps the embedded device focused on RF data acquisition and network transport. --- ### Dual-Core Data Handling The RP2350 separates USB and Ethernet processing between its two cores. - **Core 0:** RTL-SDR USB communication and I/Q acquisition - **Core 1:** W6300 Ethernet and rtl_tcp streaming A shared ring buffer transfers I/Q data between the two cores. This helps maintain continuous data flow between USB and Ethernet. --- ### Why PoE? PoE is useful when the SDR receiver needs to be installed close to the antenna. Instead of running a long RF cable to the PC, the RTL-SDR can be placed near the antenna and connected back to the network with Ethernet. This can simplify rooftop, outdoor, or remote RF monitoring installations. --- ### Applications This architecture can be used for: - Remote Airband monitoring - ACARS reception - FM reception - rtl_433 sensor monitoring - Remote RF monitoring - Distributed RF scanning The current implementation is best suited to narrowband applications because the RP2350 USB Host interface is the main bandwidth limitation. --- ### Performance The documented test setup achieved: - **Sample rate:** 250 kS/s - **I/Q stream:** about 488 kB/s - **USB errors:** 0 in the reported test - **Client:** GQRX - **Verified reception:** FM and 118.1 MHz AM Airband The main system limitation is the RP2350 USB Host interface rather than the W6300 Ethernet connection. --- ### Comparison with Similar WIZnet Maker Projects Two related WIZnet Maker projects are **ADSBee** and **ESP32 MMDVM Hotspot**. | Feature | RP2350 PoE SDR | ADSBee | ESP32 MMDVM Hotspot | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | WIZnet chip | **W6300** | W5500 | W5500 | | RF function | General SDR receiver | ADS-B receiver | Digital radio gateway | | Network data | **Raw I/Q stream** | Decoded aircraft data | Radio/service data | | Remote SDR control | **Yes, rtl_tcp** | No | No | | PC signal processing | **Yes** | Mostly embedded | Service-oriented | | PoE use | **Yes** | Yes | Not the main focus | The main difference is that this project sends **raw SDR I/Q data** to the PC. ADSBee processes ADS-B signals on the embedded device and sends decoded aircraft information, while the MMDVM project acts more like a digital-radio-to-IP gateway. Because the RP2350/W6300 project keeps most signal processing on the PC, the same embedded node can be used for several different RF applications. --- ### Conclusion This project turns a conventional USB RTL-SDR into a **PoE-powered network SDR receiver** using RP2350 and the WIZnet W6300. The PC controls the SDR through rtl_tcp, while the RP2350 receives I/Q data over USB and the W6300 streams it back over Ethernet. The result is a compact remote RF receiver that combines **USB Host, dual-core processing, W6300 Ethernet, PoE, and existing SDR software compatibility** in one embedded platform. --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/lawrence/projects/8gfmg8p9pz-sketch-adsb-rp2350-rtltcp/