Author Topic: Adding data to a dumb POE device  (Read 1652 times)

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Offline JMGTopic starter

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Adding data to a dumb POE device
« on: October 06, 2020, 10:22:13 pm »
Hi, new member, first post.

I have a project that is basically a device connected to POE and is switched on as soon as its connected, but now I need to have some communications with this device and add some intelligence. Having had zero to do with Ethernet connectivity, I'm clueless, and not even sure what terms to search.
I'm trying to create a connection where I can receive data from this device and send back calibration values from a mobile app or by logging in to a website or even the device itself. I understand I need a microprocessor in the device and have experience with 8 bit PICs. What I don't have is is experience getting a PIC to communicate over Ethernet with an app.
Could someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!
 

Offline NiHaoMike

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Re: Adding data to a dumb POE device
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2020, 10:48:15 pm »
Look up "Ethernet Shield" to get an idea of how it's done with the classic Arduinos. Do note that implementing TCP/IP from scratch probably isn't the best idea unless you really want to learn how it works.
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Offline george.b

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Re: Adding data to a dumb POE device
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2020, 11:10:59 pm »
The ENC28J60 is probably what you need.
https://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/en022889
 

Offline fordem

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Re: Adding data to a dumb POE device
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2020, 02:24:42 am »
So, in essence what you're trying to do is add smarts to a dumb device?  Ever thought about approaching it from the opposite angle?  It might be easier to get a smart device to do whatever the dumb device does.

There are quite a few SBCs with GPIO that can be used to interface with or control another device - my experience has been limited to the Raspberry Pi, which as of the 3B+ can be powered via a PoE hat, and also supply power (5V) to a connected device.

What does the dumb device do or need to do, and what data do you need from it?
 

Offline JMGTopic starter

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Re: Adding data to a dumb POE device
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2020, 04:00:03 am »
All good answers. What I'd like to do is throw a pic on the board, and an interface IC or driver between the pic and the cable, if that makes sense. Adding an SBC would be too large, expensive and over kill. And no, I don't want to get in to figuring out the stack lol
I'll check out the shields and the ENC28J60. Thanks guys!
 

Offline magic

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Re: Adding data to a dumb POE device
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2020, 05:29:43 am »
Many years ago I have seen a project involving 10Mb Ethernet on one of the classic AVR micros and I'm pretty sure the guy didn't code it all by himself but adapted libraries available on the Internet. Not sure if it bitbanged Ethernet directly or communicated with some external PHY.

edit
Possibly this?
http://www.pa3fwm.nl/projects/avreth/
« Last Edit: October 07, 2020, 06:17:30 am by magic »
 


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