Hi Tim, I just searched if it was possible to connect two Ethernet MAC directly without using PHY and it is possible, so it will not involve cost for you:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/39503466/can-two-ethernet-mac-chips-be-connected-directly-without-going-thru-phy BR, Alan On 10/29/22, Tim Hardisty <t...@jti.uk.com.invalid> wrote: > Thanks for your clarifications Alan - I have messaged Espressif (your reply > ended up in SPAM otherwise I might not have needed to) so I guess I'll get a > similar answer. > > There is HCI (RCP) firmware for the SiLabs module so I can try that - it's > the £7 per module saving of Espressif vs. SiLabs, plus getting WiFi for free > that appeals. SAMA5D2 has Ethernet - unused on my board so it is not an idea > that is completely out of the question: writing USRSOCK for the Espressif > module is probably beyond me at this time! > > On 29/10/2022, 00:20, "Alan C. Assis" <acas...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi Tim, > > On 10/28/22, Tim Hardisty <t...@jti.uk.com.invalid> wrote: > > Bit of a tangential question this, but I know there are folk on here > who > > are much more conversant with the way NuttX can be used with WiFi > and > > Bluetooth modules than I am. > > > > I think these are important questions and other people could face > similar issues in the future. > > > I may have an opportunity forced on me to have to respin my custom > board > > which currently has a SiLabs Bluetooth SoC as well as the main > SAMA5D2 > > processor. I used that module as I already have experience of it - but > that > > predates my NuttX journey. > > > > I see there are some very good value combined WiFi + Bluetooth modules > now > > (Espressif for example...and I know there's a well-known proponent of > those > > devices here lol) and, having seen a few other questions here, I am > thinking > > that I can go the HCI route and make use of the Bluetooth Stack in > NuttX: > > and add WiFi capability to my board at the same time. Winner! > > > > First let me explain the differences: > > Espressif modules are not used as external modules on NuttX, > everything is integrated inside the chip. > > During the WildernessLab's presentation on NuttX Workshop their team > shown an ESP32 solution sharing WiFi as an external module. > But they didn't use the default USRSOCK route, they implemented a new > solution at home. > > > I'm hoping I can program up a suitable module with generic radio > > co-processor software (HCI I think, and whatever is needed for WiFi) > and > > access it via UART from my main processor and have it all under the > NuttX > > system in a much more easily managed manner than a separate app on > the > > SiLabs SoC that just happens to communicate on some way with my main > app on > > the SAMA5D2. > > > > Have I got this right? Is an Espressif module a good choice (email me > direct > > if you want to !!)? > > > > For Bluetooth (BLE) if there is a HCI firmware to SiLabs chip, then it > could be possible to you use it, but you'll need to do some tests and > debugging to get things working. > > For WiFi things are more complex because you need to implement a > USRSOCK yourself to the chip. > > I never tested others possibilities: i.e. share Internet using SLIP > between ESP32 and SAMA5D2, should be an easier route if it works, but > of course you wil be limited to UART speed. > > Ethernet could be a better option (since ESP32 has Ethernet hardware), > but it seems like an ugly and expensive workaround. > > BR, > > Alan > > >
