Wiznet makers

If you’re building an IoT project using Adafruit Feather boards and looking for a reliable, wired networking solution, the PoE-FeatherWing might be exactly what you need.

This compact, open-source board adds Power over Ethernet (PoE) and hardware Ethernet connectivity to your Feather projects — thanks to the power of the WIZnet W5500 Ethernet controller. In this article, we’ll explore the features, advantages, and real-world applications of PoE-FeatherWing.

🚀 What Is PoE-FeatherWing?

The PoE-FeatherWing is a hardware add-on board designed to bring both power and data to Adafruit Feather boards through a single Ethernet cable. It combines:

• The W5500 Ethernet controller for stable network communication
• A PoE controller (TPS23758) that supplies up to 3W of power
• A compact FeatherWing-compatible layout for seamless integration

Whether you're building smart sensors, industrial monitors, or remote devices, this board helps simplify your setup — no USB cables or wall power needed.

🌐 Why W5500 Makes It Better

At the core of the PoE-FeatherWing is the WIZnet W5500, a hardwired TCP/IP Ethernet chip designed for embedded systems. Here’s why it’s a perfect match for IoT applications:

• Built-in TCP/IP Stack: W5500 handles networking protocols (TCP, UDP, IP, ARP, ICMP) directly on-chip, freeing your microcontroller from complex networking tasks.
• Real-Time Performance: It provides deterministic, low-jitter communication, which is essential for reliable IoT data transmission.
• Low Power Usage: Ideal for always-on devices operating in power-sensitive environments.
• Supports 8 Sockets: Enables multiple simultaneous connections — useful for multi-sensor applications or bridging data to multiple services.
• SPI Interface: Makes it easy to connect to most microcontrollers, including those on Feather boards.

With the W5500, your Feather board gets fast, reliable Ethernet — no Wi-Fi interference, no signal loss, no delays.

🔧 Key Features of the PoE-FeatherWing

• Power over Ethernet (PoE): Integrates a TI TPS23758 controller to safely deliver up to 3W of isolated power via standard Ethernet cables.
• MAC Address EEPROM: Includes a 24AA02E48 EEPROM that provides a unique MAC address — something the W5500 doesn't include by default.
• Compact and Compatible: Same form factor as Adafruit’s Ethernet FeatherWing, ensuring perfect compatibility with existing Feather boards.
• Protective Power Design: Outputs around 4.5V to the USB pin to prevent backfeeding issues, making it safe even for Feather boards without protection diodes.

🛠️ Design Challenges and Solutions

The designer paid close attention to power and thermal safety:

• The board uses 0402 components and a 4-layer PCB to maximize space efficiency.
• Thermal management was addressed carefully. Most heat is dissipated at the Schottky diode, not the PoE controller.
• A clever reset circuit ensures the W5500 reliably boots when power comes from PoE (not USB).

The result? A stable, compact board that just works — even in demanding environments.

🧩 Optional M4-Shim for More Power

Want even more integration? The developer also created an M4-Shim — a microcontroller board that stacks right onto the PoE-FeatherWing. This lets you create a fully self-contained Ethernet+PoE+MCU solution without needing a separate Feather board.

Perfect for tight enclosures or professional-grade embedded systems.

💡 Use Cases

• Smart sensors with Ethernet connectivity
• Remote monitoring in industrial environments
• Feather-based controllers for LED displays or relays
• Edge computing devices in PoE-enabled smart buildings

Thanks to W5500 and PoE, deployment is as simple as plugging in an Ethernet cable.

📦 Resources

• PoE-FeatherWing Project on Hackaday.io
• Schematics and PCB files
• Detailed design logs

✅ Summary

The PoE-FeatherWing combines the power of W5500 Ethernet and PoE convenience into a single, compact board for your next IoT innovation.

❓ FAQs

Q1: Why use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi for Feather boards?
A: Ethernet offers more reliable, stable, and interference-free communication — especially important in industrial or critical IoT environments. The W5500 ensures low-latency data flow, which Wi-Fi can’t always guarantee.

Q2: Can I use this board without PoE?
A: Yes! You can also power your Feather board via USB or battery, while still using Ethernet for data via W5500.

Q3: Does the board come with a MAC address?
A: Yes, it includes a Microchip 24AA02E48 EEPROM chip, which stores a unique MAC address — required for proper Ethernet operation.

Q4: Is the PoE output safe for Feather boards?
A: Yes. The output voltage (~4.5V) is carefully regulated to avoid damage, even for Feather boards without built-in protection diodes.

Q5: Where can I buy or build the PoE-FeatherWing?
A: The project is open-source. You can access schematics and PCB files via the Hackaday project page to build your own, or follow updates for potential production runs.

Whether you’re prototyping or building production-ready IoT systems, the PoE-FeatherWing with W5500 is a smart, efficient, and professional way to deliver both power and data over Ethernet.