ENC28J60 Ethernet Module – Complete Guide with Arduino Project Example
Introduction
As the Internet of Things (IoT) and network-enabled embedded systems continue to grow, the need to connect microcontrollers to Ethernet networks has become increasingly important. While Wi-Fi modules like ESP8266 and ESP32 are very popular, wired Ethernet is still preferred in many industrial, automation, and educational projects due to its stability, security, and reliability.
One of the most widely used low-cost Ethernet solutions for microcontrollers like Arduino UNO, Nano, and Mega is the ENC28J60 Ethernet module. This blog provides a complete, in-depth explanation of the ENC28J60 Ethernet module, its working principle, pinout, features, advantages, limitations, and a practical Arduino project example.
What is the ENC28J60 Ethernet Module?
The ENC28J60 is a stand-alone Ethernet controller IC developed by Microchip Technology. It enables microcontrollers to connect to a 10 Mbps Ethernet network using the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication protocol.
Unlike the W5100/W5500 Ethernet chips, the ENC28J60 does not have a built-in TCP/IP stack. Instead, the TCP/IP protocol must be handled by the microcontroller through software libraries.
Key Features of ENC28J60
- 10Base-T Ethernet (10 Mbps)
- SPI interface (up to 20 MHz clock)
- Integrated MAC (Media Access Control) & PHY
- Supports full-duplex and half-duplex communication
- Operates at 3.3V logic
- Internal DMA for efficient data handling
- Low power consumption
- RJ45 connector with integrated magnetics (on module)
ENC28J60 Module Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Ethernet Standard | IEEE 802.3 (10Base-T) |
| Communication | SPI |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Logic Level | 3.3V (5V tolerant via level shifting on most modules) |
| Data Rate | 10 Mbps |
| Buffer Memory | 8 KB internal RAM |
| TCP/IP Stack | External (software-based) |
ENC28J60 Module Pinout Description
Most ENC28J60 modules come with 8 pins:
| Pin | Description |
|---|---|
| VCC | 3.3V power supply |
| GND | Ground |
| CS | Chip Select (SPI) |
| SI (MOSI) | SPI Master Out Slave In |
| SO (MISO) | SPI Master In Slave Out |
| SCK | SPI Clock |
| INT | Interrupt output |
| RESET | Reset pin (optional on some modules) |
⚠️ Important: Although many modules accept 5V input via onboard regulators, the ENC28J60 IC itself works at 3.3V logic.
How ENC28J60 Works
- The microcontroller communicates with ENC28J60 using SPI.
- ENC28J60 handles:
- Ethernet frame transmission
- MAC addressing
- Physical layer signaling
- The microcontroller handles:
- TCP/IP protocol
- HTTP, UDP, ICMP, etc. (via libraries)
- Ethernet data packets are sent and received through the RJ45 connector.
ENC28J60 vs W5100 / W5500
| Feature | ENC28J60 | W5100 / W5500 |
|---|---|---|
| TCP/IP Stack | Software | Hardware |
| Cost | Very low | Higher |
| Speed | 10 Mbps | 10/100 Mbps |
| MCU Load | High | Low |
| Library Complexity | Medium–High | Easy |
ENC28J60 is ideal for learning, low-cost projects, and simple web servers, while W5500 is better for high-performance applications.
Required Libraries for Arduino
To use ENC28J60 with Arduino, the most common libraries are:
- UIPEthernet
- EtherCard
- ENC28J60lwIP
👉 The UIPEthernet library is widely used because it provides an API similar to Arduino’s standard Ethernet library.
Arduino + ENC28J60 Project Example
Simple Ethernet Web Server (LED Control)
Project Objective
Create a basic web server using Arduino and ENC28J60 that allows you to turn an LED ON/OFF from a web browser.
Required Components
- Arduino UNO / Nano
- ENC28J60 Ethernet module
- LED
- 220Ω resistor
- Breadboard & jumper wires
- Ethernet cable
- Router / LAN network
Circuit Connections
ENC28J60 to Arduino UNO
| ENC28J60 | Arduino |
|---|---|
| VCC | 3.3V |
| GND | GND |
| CS | D10 |
| SI (MOSI) | D11 |
| SO (MISO) | D12 |
| SCK | D13 |
| INT | Not connected (optional) |
LED Connection
- LED Anode → Arduino D7 (via 220Ω resistor)
- LED Cathode → GND
Arduino Code Example (UIPEthernet)
#include <UIPEthernet.h>
byte mac[] = { 0xDE, 0xAD, 0xBE, 0xEF, 0xFE, 0xED };
IPAddress ip(192, 168, 1, 50);
EthernetServer server(80);
const int ledPin = 7;
void setup() {
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
Ethernet.begin(mac, ip);
server.begin();
}
void loop() {
EthernetClient client = server.available();
if (client) {
boolean currentLineIsBlank = true;
while (client.connected()) {
if (client.available()) {
char c = client.read();
if (c == '\n' && currentLineIsBlank) {
client.println("HTTP/1.1 200 OK");
client.println("Content-Type: text/html");
client.println("Connection: close");
client.println();
client.println("<html>");
client.println("<body>");
client.println("<h1>ENC28J60 LED Control</h1>");
client.println("<a href=\"/ON\">LED ON</a><br>");
client.println("<a href=\"/OFF\">LED OFF</a>");
client.println("</body>");
client.println("</html>");
break;
}
if (c == '\n') {
currentLineIsBlank = true;
} else if (c != '\r') {
currentLineIsBlank = false;
}
if (c == 'O') {
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
}
if (c == 'F') {
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
}
}
}
delay(1);
client.stop();
}
}How the Project Works
- Arduino initializes the Ethernet interface using ENC28J60.
- A local IP address is assigned.
- When a browser accesses the IP, Arduino serves a simple HTML page.
- Clicking ON/OFF links controls the LED via HTTP requests.
Advantages of ENC28J60
- Very low cost
- Ideal for learning Ethernet fundamentals
- Works with most Arduino boards
- Good for LAN-based projects
- Low power consumption
Limitations of ENC28J60
- No built-in TCP/IP stack
- Slower than modern Ethernet chips
- Higher MCU memory usage
- Not suitable for high-traffic servers
Applications of ENC28J60
- Home automation (LAN based)
- Industrial monitoring systems
- Data logging over Ethernet
- Educational networking projects
- Simple IoT gateways
Conclusion
The ENC28J60 Ethernet module is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists who want to learn how Ethernet networking works at a low level. While it requires more software handling compared to W5500 or ESP32, it offers great flexibility and deep understanding of networking concepts.
If you are building low-cost, wired, LAN-based embedded projects, the ENC28J60 remains a solid and educational solution.
0 Comments