--- title: "Power Your IoT Projects with PoE-FeatherWing – Ethernet + PoE Using W5500" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/scott/projects/PoEFeatherWing-by-scott/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/scott/projects/PoEFeatherWing-by-scott/md" type: "UCC: User Created Content" author: "scott" author_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/scott/" original_author: "scott" original_url: "https://hackaday.io/project/168356-poe-featherwing" published: "2021-10-25" language: "en" likes: 0 views: 331 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # Power Your IoT Projects with PoE-FeatherWing – Ethernet + PoE Using W5500 > Power Your IoT Projects with PoE-FeatherWing – Ethernet + PoE Using W5500 Original author: scott (source: https://hackaday.io/project/168356-poe-featherwing) ## Article 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](https://hackaday.io/project/168356-poe-featherwing) - [Schematics and PCB files](https://hackaday.io/project/168356/files) - [Detailed design logs](https://hackaday.io/project/168356/logs) --- ## ✅ Summary | **Feature** | **Description** | | --- | --- | | Networking | W5500 (SPI, 8 hardware sockets, built-in TCP/IP stack) | | Power | PoE support up to 3W via TPS23758 | | Compatibility | Adafruit Feather form factor | | Extras | MAC EEPROM, USB-safe voltage, optional M4 integration | 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. --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/scott/projects/PoEFeatherWing-by-scott/