ENC28J60/ML - 10BASE-T Ethernet Controller | Microchip
MPN: ENC28J60/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.836 | $2.84 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 3,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
ENC28J60/ML Overview
An Ethernet controller is an interface IC that connects a host processor to a physical network. In the ENC28J60 architecture, the MAC handles frame processing, the PHY handles 10BASE-T signaling, and the SPI interface communicates with the microcontroller. Unlike devices with an internal TCP/IP stack, the ENC28J60 requires the connected firmware to implement the higher-level network protocol.
Key features include a 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package, integrated MAC and PHY, 8 Kbytes of buffer RAM, and an SPI interface. The manufacturer describes it as a compact solution intended to reduce board space, complexity, and cost. The device is suited to embedded systems that need an economical wired network connection rather than high-throughput Ethernet.
The ENC28J60 is designed around a 25 MHz crystal oscillator connected between OSC1 and OSC2. Microchip specifically states that the design requires a parallel-resonance crystal and warns that a series-resonance crystal may produce an out-of-spec operating frequency. The SPI host interface and integrated PHY make the controller practical for small embedded control, monitoring, and data-acquisition equipment.
Typical applications include industrial control nodes, building-automation terminals, environmental monitoring, remote instrumentation, embedded gateways, and low-bandwidth supervisory systems. Compared with larger SPI Ethernet controllers such as W5500, the ENC28J60 provides a smaller integrated solution but does not provide the same level of hardware-supported TCP/IP functionality. It is therefore most appropriate where firmware already contains the required network stack.
A key design consideration is matching the crystal, decoupling, Ethernet magnetics, and PCB layout to the manufacturer recommendations. The 6x6 mm QFN package also requires careful assembly and land-pattern planning. Designers should verify the exact package, pinout, electrical limits, and temperature variant against the current Microchip datasheet before releasing a production PCB.
Drop-in alternatives for ENC28J60/ML — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ENC28J60/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Buffer RAM, Package, Product Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ENC28J60-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ENC28J60T/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ENC28J60T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ENC28J60/ML Specifications
| Product Type | Standalone 10BASE-T Ethernet controller |
| Integrated Functions | MAC and PHY |
| Buffer RAM | 8 Kbytes |
| Host Interface | SPI serial interface |
| Pin Count | 28 pins |
| Network Speed | 10BASE-T |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) |
| Oscillator Frequency | 25 MHz |
| Crystal Type | Parallel-resonance crystal required by design |
| MAC Support | 10BASE-T Ethernet frame handling |
| PHY Support | Integrated 10BASE-T physical layer |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Manufacturer Product Family | ENC28J60 |
ENC28J60/ML 28-qfn (6x6 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ENC28J60/ML (28-qfn (6x6 mm) package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for ENC28J60/ML.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ENC28J60/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Networking, Building Automation Terminal, Environmental Monitoring Node, Remote Data Acquisition, Embedded Gateway, Low-Cost Networked Control Board.
Industrial Sensor Networking
The ENC28J60/ML fits industrial sensor nodes that need a compact 10BASE-T Ethernet connection without a separate MAC or PHY. Its verified 28-QFN package, integrated MAC and PHY, and 8 Kbytes of buffer RAM help reduce board area while the SPI interface connects efficiently to a microcontroller. A practical design uses the controller beside the Ethernet magnetics and isolates the network side according to the deployment’s EMC and grounding requirements. The key trade-off is that the host firmware must provide the required higher-level network protocol support, so applications with complex TCP stacks may need more software resources than a hardware-stack Ethernet controller.
Recommended
Building Automation Terminal
The ENC28J60/ML is appropriate for building-automation terminals that report environmental or equipment status over a wired network. Its 10BASE-T capability is sufficient for supervisory control and low-bandwidth telemetry, while the 8 Kbytes of buffer RAM helps decouple short Ethernet frames from host activity. Place the controller, crystal network, and Ethernet magnetics according to the manufacturer layout guidance, then provide firmware for the application protocol and TCP/IP behavior. The design is attractive where low cost and compactness matter more than 100 Mbit/s throughput or many hardware-managed sockets.
Recommended
Environmental Monitoring Node
The ENC28J60/ML can connect remote environmental sensors to a 10BASE-T network when measurements are transmitted periodically rather than streamed continuously. Its verified integrated PHY and MAC reduce the number of network-specific external ICs, and its SPI host interface suits microcontroller-based sensor platforms. The controller’s buffer RAM provides packet buffering, but the overall system still needs robust Ethernet magnetic isolation, surge protection, and careful grounding. Firmware should implement the required transport protocol and include link monitoring so that the remote node can report communication faults without disrupting local sensing.
Recommended
Remote Data Acquisition
The ENC28J60/ML is useful for remote data-acquisition equipment that must move moderate amounts of sensor or equipment data over wired Ethernet. A 10BASE-T link is sufficient for many supervisory and control packets, and the integrated MAC, PHY, and buffer RAM simplify the hardware architecture around the host MCU. The SPI interface allows the acquisition controller to exchange commands and data efficiently, while the host firmware supplies the application protocol. Designers should budget CPU and memory for networking and should verify the controller’s electrical limits against the complete datasheet before using it in high-reliability instrumentation.
Recommended
Embedded Gateway
The ENC28J60/ML can serve as the Ethernet endpoint for a small embedded gateway that bridges local serial, sensor, or control data to a 10 Mbit/s network. Its standalone architecture avoids requiring a separate Ethernet MAC or PHY, while the SPI interface gives the gateway processor a flexible host connection. The controller is best suited to gateways with modest bandwidth and modest socket requirements because it does not provide the same hardware-integrated TCP/IP feature set as higher-end SPI Ethernet devices. Firmware partitioning, watchdog behavior, and Ethernet fault recovery should be considered as part of the gateway architecture.
Recommended
Low-Cost Networked Control Board
The ENC28J60/ML is a practical choice for low-cost networked control boards where the product needs wired status reporting and basic command exchange rather than high-speed bulk transfer. The 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package helps minimize board footprint, and the integrated MAC, PHY, and 8 Kbytes of buffer RAM reduce the number of supporting network components. The system must include suitable Ethernet magnetics, power filtering, and firmware-level protocol handling. For designs requiring more concurrent connections, faster Ethernet, or hardware TCP/IP offload, compare the architecture with W5500 or another higher-throughput Ethernet controller before finalizing the PCB.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ENC28J60/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ENC28J60-I/ML | ENC28J60T/ML | ENC28J60T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Ethernet Speed | 10BASE-T | 10BASE-T | 10BASE-T | 10BASE-T |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated standalone Ethernet controller (vs W5500)
- Compact package footprint (vs W5500)
- Architecture suited to firmware-controlled networking (vs W5500)
Design Notes
Use the manufacturer’s 28-QFN land pattern and place the Ethernet magnetics, crystal network, and decoupling components in the locations shown by the current datasheet. Keep the SPI traces short and route the oscillator connections away from high-current switching nodes. The supplied data confirms a 6x6 mm QFN package and 25 MHz crystal requirement, but it does not provide the full recommended PCB layout, so the production design must follow the authoritative application and package guidance.
Do not substitute a series-resonance crystal without checking the oscillator design. Microchip states that ENC28J60 requires a parallel-resonance crystal connected to OSC1 and OSC2 and warns that a series-resonance crystal may result in an operating frequency outside the crystal manufacturer’s specification. Validate the crystal load capacitance, startup margin, and measured frequency on the assembled PCB before production release.
The ENC28J60 integrates the MAC and PHY, but the Ethernet network still requires the correct magnetics and isolation structure. Follow the manufacturer’s reference layout for the transformer, center-tap or bias network, protection components, and return paths. In particular, keep noisy power and digital return paths from disturbing the 10BASE-T pair; otherwise the compact controller may be surrounded by an otherwise correct but EMC- or signal-integrity-limited network interface.
Compliance Information
Compliance status was not included in the verified manufacturer or distributor snippets and is therefore left unknown. The exact ordering variant should be checked against current Microchip declarations and distributor documentation.
