Pi Pico Ethernet
# Introduction
The Pi Pico is a microcontroller board developed by Raspberry Pi Foundation. It offers a low-cost and powerful solution for a wide range of projects. One of the most sought-after features for any microcontroller board is Ethernet connectivity. In this article, we will explore the possibilities of adding Ethernet capabilities to the Pi Pico.
## Adding Ethernet to Pi Pico
By default, the Pi Pico does not come with an Ethernet port. However, with the help of some additional hardware, it is possible to add Ethernet functionality to the board. One popular option is to use an Ethernet module, such as the ENC28J60, which can be easily connected to the Pi Pico.
## Hardware Requirements
– Raspberry Pi Pico
– ENC28J60 Ethernet module
– Jumper wires
– Ethernet cable
– USB to TTL converter (optional)
## Wiring Diagram
To connect the ENC28J60 module to the Pi Pico, follow the wiring diagram below:
“`
Pi Pico ENC28J60 Module
———————————
3V3 VCC
GND GND
GP14 INT
GP16 CS
GP17 CLK
GP18 SDA
GP19 SCL
GP20 RST
“`
## Setting Up the Software
To enable Ethernet on the Pi Pico, additional software needs to be installed. Start by downloading and installing the MicroPython firmware on the Pi Pico. Then, proceed to install the necessary networking libraries.
1. Connect the Pi Pico to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open the command prompt and navigate to the directory where the MicroPython firmware has been downloaded.
3. Use the following command to install the firmware on the Pi Pico:
`python -m pyflasher –board RASPBERRY_PI_PICO -i micropython_firmware.uf2`
4. Once the firmware is installed, connect to the Pi Pico REPL using a terminal program.
5. Import the necessary networking libraries by running the following commands:
“`python
import network
import uasyncio as asyncio
“`
## Initializing Ethernet Connection
To establish an Ethernet connection, we need to initialize the Ethernet module with the correct settings. Use the following code snippet to set up the Ethernet connection:
“`python
import network
eth = network.Ethernet()
eth.active(True)
eth.ifconfig((‘192.168.1.100’, ‘255.255.255.0’, ‘192.168.1.1’, ‘8.8.8.8’))
“`
Replace the IP address and gateway with the appropriate values for your network configuration.
## Sending and Receiving Data
Once the Ethernet connection is established, we can start sending and receiving data. Here’s an example of how to send a simple HTTP GET request:
“`python
import socket
sock = socket.socket()
sock.connect((‘example.com’, 80))
sock.send(b’GET / HTTP/1.1\\r\
Host: example.com\\r\
\\r\
‘)
response = sock.recv(1024)
sock.close()
print(response)
“`
This code snippet sends an HTTP GET request to `example.com` and prints the response received.
## Conclusion
Adding Ethernet functionality to the Pi Pico opens up a whole new world of possibilities for your projects. With the help of additional hardware and software setup, you can easily connect the Pi Pico to your local network and start building advanced applications. So go ahead and unleash the power of the Pi Pico with Ethernet!
