Ethernet, Uno32 and Max32

Created Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:20:53 +0000 by RichardE

RichardE

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:20:53 +0000

I just joined the forum and am considering purchasing a chipKIT. I am interested in using ethernet and noticed that the Uno32 spec makes no mention of ethernet but the Max32 does. However, neither board appears to have an ethernet connector on it so I would still need to buy an ethernet shield in order to make use of ethernet. So, my question is, if all I want to do is use a little IO plus ethernet, is there any advantage in the Max32 over the Uno32? Is the Max32 ethernet "better" in some way? If not, why does the spec mention that is has ethernet capability?

Paul_L

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:30:55 +0000

The processor of the max32 board includes the ethernet MAC interface so on the Ethernet board is only the PHY interface . This means that all logic is in the processor on the shield is the electrical interface to the network. The processor of uno32 does not include the Mac interface so for an Ethernet communication will be used as in original arduino the SPI interface . This is my knowledge if it is wrong somebody may correct me.

RichardE

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:02:07 +0000

So this means the ethernet shield has hardware on it that makes messages sent over an SPI link into ethernet packets and this hardware is only used by the Uno32. The Max32 doesn't use this hardware and just uses the micro's built-in ethernet hardware to communicate directly with the PHY interface. Is that about right?

Andy123

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:19:16 +0000

Standard Arduino Ethernet shield (V5) can be used with some modifications with Uno32 and MAX32 (via SPI) But I would use MAX32 with ChipKit Network Shield - much better solution IMO.

All depends what you are trying to do.

RichardE

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:27:03 +0000

Sorry. I should have said I was referring to the chipKIT network shield. I am assuming this can be used with the Uno32. Am I right?

KeithV

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:53:57 +0000

No, the Network Shield physically will not fit on an Uno32.

RichardE

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:07:58 +0000

Oh right. Sounds like I'll be getting a Max32 and a network shield if I want to do any ethernet. Thanks to everyone for explaining this.