W5100 Ethernet Shield with Micro SD Card Socket

Ethernet W5100 Shield Network Expansion Board for Arduino with Micro SD Card Socket effortlessly transforms your Arduino board into a fully functional web server or client, opening up vast possibilities for IoT and network projects. This robust shield is centered around the powerful WIZnet W5100 Ethernet chip, which efficiently handles the entire TCP/IP stack (including TCP, UDP, ICMP, and ARP), effectively offloading complex networking tasks from the microcontroller. Furthermore, the integrated Micro SD card socket allows you to serve web pages, store sensor data, or manage network configurations directly from removable storage, significantly increasing the shield’s utility. Consequently, this combination provides an ideal, high-speed solution for connecting your physical projects to the internet with minimal hassle and maximum performance.

Key Features:

• Integrated TCP/IP Stack: The W5100 chip handles the entire network protocol stack, reducing the processing burden on the host Arduino microcontroller.
• Micro SD Card Slot: Features an on-board slot for data logging, serving files, and storing web content, supporting FAT file systems.
• High-Speed SPI Interface: Communicates with the Arduino via the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), ensuring fast data transfer rates up to 25 MHz.
• Standard Arduino Compatibility: This shield maintains the standard Arduino pin layout and is compatible with UNO, Mega, and Leonardo boards.
• Multiple Sockets Support: The W5100 supports up to four independent concurrent sockets for simultaneous connection and data transfer.

Technical Specifications:

• Controller Chip: WIZnet W5100
• Connection Speed: 10/100 Mbps (Auto-sensing)
• Communication Interface: SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface)
• SPI Clock Speed: Up to 25 MHz
• Operating Voltage: 5 V (Supplied by the Arduino host board)
• Network Protocols Supported: TCP, UDP, ICMP, ARP, PPPoE, MAC
• Simultaneous Sockets: 4 Sockets
• Micro SD Card Support: Yes, for FAT file systems

Mechanical Specifications:

• Form Factor: Standard Arduino Shield
• Ethernet Jack: RJ-45 Connector with Link/Activity LEDs
• Micro SD Card Slot Type: Push-Pull Socket
• Mounting: Stacks directly onto Arduino headers

Dimensions:

• Length: ≈ 68.6 mm (Matches Arduino UNO form factor)
• Width: ≈ 53.3 mm (Matches Arduino UNO form factor)
• Height: ≈ 25 mm (Including stacked headers and RJ-45 jack)
• Weight: ≈ 35 g

Pinout and Wiring:

• Digital Pins 10, 11, 12, 13 (or ICSP Header): These pins handle the SPI communication for the W5100 chip. Pin 10 is typically the Slave Select (SS) for Ethernet.
• Digital Pin 4: This pin is the Slave Select (SS) dedicated to the integrated Micro SD card reader.
• Digital Pin 5 & 6 (Optional): Some revisions route interrupt pins to these digital pins, offering enhanced operational feedback.
• Reset Pin: The shield includes a dedicated reset button and shares the Arduino’s reset line.
• Power Pins (5V/GND): The shield draws 5V power and ground directly from the corresponding headers on the Arduino board.

Datasheet Reference:

• Download WIZnet W5100 Ethernet Controller Datasheet

Commonly Used in:

• IoT Device Prototyping: The shield forms the core connectivity for proof-of-concept internet-enabled devices.
• Remote Sensor Monitoring: Projects use it to send environmental data (temperature, humidity) to a cloud server or local network.
• Embedded Web Servers: Developers integrate it to create local web pages for controlling and configuring Arduino projects.

Applications:

• Data Logging: Use the Micro SD card socket to locally store large volumes of time-stamped sensor readings.
• Home Automation Hubs: The shield enables the Arduino to communicate with other network-connected smart home devices.
• Network Control and Status Reporting: Allows the Arduino to send email alerts or update status pages based on real-world events.
• Client-Server Communication: The board can act as a network client to fetch data from APIs or remote databases.

Equivalent Models:

• Ethernet Shield 2 (W5500): This is an upgraded model featuring the newer W5500 chip, which offers faster SPI communication and often replaces the W5100 in high-performance applications.
• ESP32/ESP8266 Modules: However, these Wi-Fi enabled microcontrollers can replace the W5100 shield entirely in projects that prioritize wireless over wired Ethernet connectivity.
• Other W5100-based Shields: Numerous third-party manufacturers produce shields functionally identical to the official version.

Package Includes:

• 1 x W5100 Ethernet Shield with Micro SD Card Socket