WIZnet recently introduced two new microcontroller boards with built-in Ethernet controllers, flash memory, and compatibility with the Raspberry Pi Pico. The W6100-EVB-Pico2 is powered by the advanced RP2350 microcontroller, while the W55RP20-EVB-Pico utilizes the RP2040 microcontroller, each offering unique features suited for diverse networking applications.

The W6100-EVB-Pico2 is a versatile evaluation board designed for applications that require Ethernet connectivity alongside the microcontroller capabilities of the Raspberry Pi Pico. Built on the RP2350 microcontroller, the board features dual Arm Cortex-M33 cores running at up to 150MHz, paired with 520kB of SRAM and 16MB Flash memory.

This advanced architecture includes enhanced security features like TrustZone and Secure Boot with OTP memory, allowing for secure key storage and robust data protection. The board’s Ethernet functionality is enabled by the W6100 TCP/IP controller, which supports both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, adding flexibility for dual-protocol network environments.

The W6100-EVB-Pico2 offers a wide range of digital and analog peripherals, including a 12-bit ADC, multiple UART, I2C, and SPI interfaces, and PIO blocks that can emulate SD Card and VGA interfaces. The USB-C port supports power, data transfer, and flash reprogramming, while the 40-pin GPIO layout ensures compatibility with the Raspberry Pi Pico’s accessory ecosystem.

Certain GPIO pins, however, are dedicated to the W6100 for Ethernet functions, which may limit their use for other purposes.

In contrast, the W55RP20-EVB-Pico provides similar Pico-compatible functionality but is based on the RP2040 microcontroller. Running at up to 133MHz on dual Cortex-M0+ cores, it offers a simpler architecture with 264kB SRAM and 2MB Flash. The W55RP20 integrates the W5500 Ethernet controller, which, unlike the W6100, is limited to IPv4 but maintains support for core internet protocols like TCP, UDP, and ICMP.

This board also incorporates Power-over-Ethernet functionality, allowing it to be powered directly through the Ethernet connection, simplifying deployments in remote or embedded settings.

Both boards are compatible with the Raspberry Pi Pico pinout and include USB-C ports for power and programming. However, the W6100-EVB-Pico2’s enhanced security features and broader protocol support distinguish it as a more advanced solution, while the W55RP20-EVB-Pico offers PoE support and a broader operating temperature range.

Further information

The W6100-EVB-Pico2 is available for £11.20 on ThePiHut, while the W55RP20-EVB-Pico is available for $10.95 on SparkFun. The latest WIZnet announcement highlights that these boards are compatible with the WIZPoE-P1 module, which is IEEE802.3af compliant and supports Mode A and Mode B. It features a wide input voltage range of 40-60V DC, high DC/DC conversion efficiency, isolation, and built-in dual-channel bridge rectifiers.