⚡ [Project Release] Wired Ethernet for Realtek BW16 (RTL8720DN) using W5500 + Arduino — Proof-of-Concept Success!

Arduino
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Hello everyone,

After several weeks of testing, debugging, and wiring on the bench, I’m excited to share a proof-of-concept for adding wired Ethernet (W5500) to the Realtek BW16 / RTL8720DN platform using the Arduino toolchain.

This project — called EthernetRTL_BW16 — adapts the Ethernet3 library for BW16 to allow compile-time verification and, eventually, real hardware communication.
The work was done in stages to make it easy for others to replicate or build upon.

Highlights:

  • :white_check_mark: Based on the standard AmebaD Arduino Core (tested on 3.1.9)

  • :white_check_mark: Uses WIZnet W5500 SPI Ethernet controller

  • :white_check_mark: Clean compile with W5500_TestCompile.ino sketch

  • :white_check_mark: Includes full schematic (PDF) and Cirkit wiring image

  • :white_check_mark: Structured README.md and Activity Log for transparency

Repository:
:backhand_index_pointing_right: https://github.com/azhaque59/EthernetRTL_BW16

Status:
This is a work-in-progress proof of concept — the next step will be live testing of SPI traffic and network ping once the breadboard prototype is complete.

Cautions:

  • BW16 boards differ by vendor; confirm SPI pin assignments.

  • Firmware variant mapping may require editing your AmebaD variant.cpp.
    (See the Firmware Variants section in the README.)

Any feedback, test reports, or pull requests are warmly welcome.
Special thanks to the open-source community for the collaborative spirit that made this possible.

73s,
Aurangzeb Haque
(EthernetRTL initiative)

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Please see the link below for progress on the project.

Regards