Wiznet makers

Soldered Electronics has long been dedicated to bringing innovative electronic solutions to makers and engineers worldwide, with a strong commitment to open-source hardware. Among its versatile product lineup, the Ethernet Controller W5500 Board stands out as a compact yet powerful solution for enabling fast and stable network connectivity in embedded systems.

About Soldered Electronics

Soldered Electronics, headquartered in Croatia with a branch in the United States, has established itself as a trusted global partner in the electronics industry, shipping to more than 85 countries.

• The company is driven by an open-source hardware philosophy, publishing schematics, PCB layouts, and firmware openly so that anyone can study, modify, and reuse them.

• Flagship products like the Inkplate e-paper displays and Dasduino development boards are widely recognized for their practicality, accessibility, and documentation quality, making them favorites among makers and professionals alike.
• What makes Soldered particularly unique is its integrated business model:
  • Soldered Manufacturing delivers end-to-end PCB assembly and production services.
  • Soldered Engineering provides custom electronics design and prototyping.
  • Soldered for Makers offers affordable, open-source hardware tailored for DIY and educational projects.

This holistic approach makes Soldered more than just a hardware supplier—it is a partner that grows alongside the ecosystem, enabling innovation from ideas to large-scale production.  
 

https://soldered.com/

Key Features of the W5500 Board

1. Built-in Hardware TCP/IP Stack

At its core, the board integrates the WIZnet W5500 chip, which handles TCP, UDP, ICMP, IPv4, and other essential protocols directly in hardware. This dramatically reduces the workload on the microcontroller, allowing developers to focus on application logic rather than low-level networking.

2. Simple SPI Interface

Communication with the MCU is established via a high-speed SPI interface (up to 80 MHz), making the module highly compatible with platforms like Arduino, Dasduino, and other microcontrollers.

3. Multi-Socket Support

The W5500 supports up to eight simultaneous sockets, enabling complex applications such as IoT gateways, mini servers, and data logging systems with multiple connections.

4. Efficiency and Functionality

• Power-down mode and Wake-on-LAN support for low-power projects.
• Integrated RJ-45 connector and LED indicators for link, speed, and activity simplify both debugging and real-time monitoring.

Open-Source Hardware Spirit

The Ethernet Controller W5500 Board is more than just a piece of hardware.

• Its schematics, PCB design files, and bill of materials are available on GitHub, allowing anyone to learn, adapt, or redesign.
• This reflects Soldered’s deep commitment to the open-source movement, ensuring that both professionals and hobbyists can build on solid foundations and expand the ecosystem.

Applications

• Smart home gateways: Provide stable wired Ethernet for IoT devices.
• Data loggers: Collect and send sensor data to remote servers.
• Compact servers and cloud clients: Utilize multi-socket capabilities.
• Educational use: Perfect for learning about networking and protocols.

Conclusion

The Soldered Ethernet Controller W5500 Board is a compact yet robust networking solution for embedded projects, combining:

• Hardware-level TCP/IP processing
• Simple, high-speed SPI interface
• Open-source hardware documentation
• Wide application potential

Backed by the innovative spirit of Soldered Electronics, this product reflects more than technical excellence—it represents a community-driven approach to hardware design, empowering makers and engineers to connect their projects to the world with reliability and ease.