Saelig W5500 Fast SPI Ethernet Controller IC

The W5500 Fast SPI Ethernet Controller IC is a hardwired TCP/IP ethernet controller that provides internet connection to embedded systems by using a single chip in which the TCP/IP stack, 10/100 Ethernet MAC and PHY are embedded. The TCP/IP Core is composed of a fully-hardwired, 10BaseT/100BaseTX TCP/IP stack with an integrated Ethernet MAC and PHY which supports TCP, UDP, IPv4, ICMP, ARP, IGMP and PPPoE protocols. Advantages include eight simultaneous TCP/IP protocol sockets and 32 KB of available dual-ported RAM.

The product’s design features smaller geometry manufacturing and die size. The die has been laid out for easy integration with other chip dies such as MCU, DSP and FPGA that use SiP packaging techniques. The product offers a fast, versatile SPI interface (up to 80 MHz) and the ability for a host MCU to flexibly utilise the chip’s buffer RAM for general-purpose data. Product hardware design is simplified by the reduction of external power supply components and the use of firmware-setting of physical layer PHY options.

The product’s hardware protocol processing and large RAM buffer facilitates small memory MCU applications. Ethernet capability can also be added to an existing design without the need to redesign with a more expensive MCU. Large and small MCUs can benefit from the unit’s ‘Internet Offload’ capabilities that minimise application software interference and timing constraints associated with network activity. Application and network performance remain stable and predictable under varying loads, while the product delivers a measure of firewall-like protection.

The product is power-efficient and only offers an SPI control interface. It is housed in an LQFP package for easy use and simple handling. It is suitable for home network devices, set-top boxes, digital media adapters, serial-to-ethernet devices, access controls, LED displays, wireless AP relays, POS printers, DVRs, network cameras, kiosks, building automation, etc.