ESP32-S3 POE ethernet implementation

[_Adrian_]

Hey guys and gals,
I'm looking to make a custom esp32 ( ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 )implementation of a smart speaker.
The audio part I have mostly figured out ( I2S ), would also like to power it via POE to make things simpler as its final implementation will be integrated via ESPHome to Home assistant.

Since it will be POE powered i will need 2 power supplies coming of the POE feed - 1 for the electronics and one for the amplifier section. A MAX5969B will be my answer to this mess which will allow me to have an actual PD controller and be within the 802.3at/af specification. Also the MAX5969B Evaluation Kit datasheet contains all the info I need without having to "re-invent the wheel" and would only need to make minor modifications as the voltage i'd need for the amplifier chip would be 15-18V so only minor changes.

With that being said... I'm down to the PHY part and keep hitting walls, as reading the ESPHome section of supported ethernet phy's are mostly RMII except for the W5500 which is SPI and most PHY's I'm looking/considering are either GMII or SGMII.
Yes gigabit is overkill, but would like to deploy this in a different scenario as well ( wall mounted smart screen to replace a switch and give direct control into HA ) and don't want to go back and make changes to anything other than the POE supply voltage ( the build it once and build it right sorta deal).

Any input is welcome !!

[Sprite]

With that being said... I'm down to the PHY part and keep hitting walls, as reading the ESPHome section of supported ethernet phy's are mostly RMII except for the W5500 which is SPI and most PHY's I'm looking/considering are either GMII or SGMII.
Yes gigabit is overkill, but would like to deploy this in a different scenario as well ( wall mounted smart screen to replace a switch and give direct control into HA ) and don't want to go back and make changes to anything other than the POE supply voltage ( the build it once and build it right sorta deal).

First of all, the ESP32S3 does not have a MAC, so you cannot use a RMII/GMII/SGMII PHY at all. Secondly, I think your assumption that the ESP32S3 can handle GBit network streams is... erm... let's say optimistic.