Reference Clock Configuration:
- The LAN8720 typically requires a 25 MHz reference clock.
- You can either use an external crystal oscillator for the LAN8720 or arrange for the ESP32 (if it supports it) to provide the clock.
- Verify that the chosen clock source is synchronized with the ESP32’s RMII interface.
Management Interface (MDIO/MDC):
- Connect the LAN8720’s MDIO and MDC pins to the ESP32’s corresponding management pins.
- This allows the ESP32 firmware to configure the LAN8720 at startup.
Power Supply via PoE Circuit:
- Use your PoE circuit to step down the incoming high voltage (usually 48 V) to the levels required by both the LAN8720 and the ESP32—typically 3.3 V or 5 V, depending on your power rail design.
- Make sure to include the appropriate decoupling capacitors and filtering as per the datasheet recommendations for each device.
- Ensure that both devices share a common ground provided by the PoE extraction circuit.
Additional Considerations:
- Double-check that the voltage levels and IO standards on both the LAN8720 and ESP32 match—if not, level shifters might be necessary.
- Follow the datasheets for recommended layout and decoupling practices to maintain signal integrity on high-speed Ethernet lines.