--- title: "Evolving RP2040 Train-Signage — Bringing SSL to WIZnet Ethernet on Raspberry Pi Pico" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/Benjamin/projects/evolving-rp2040-train-signage--bringing-ssl-to-wiznet-ethernet-on-raspberry-pi-pico/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/Benjamin/projects/evolving-rp2040-train-signage--bringing-ssl-to-wiznet-ethernet-on-raspberry-pi-pico/md" type: "UCC: User Created Content" author: "Akihiro “akkiesoft” Suzuki" author_url: "https://akkiesoft.hatenablog.jp/entry/20250719/1752896108" editor: "WIZnet" editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/" original_author: "Akihiro “akkiesoft” Suzuki" original_url: "https://akkiesoft.hatenablog.jp/entry/20250719/1752896108" license: "MIT license (MIT)" published: "2025-07-28" language: "en" tags: ["W5500", "CircuitPython", "Raspberry Pi"] hardware: ["WIZnet W5500", "Raspberry Pi Pico"] likes: 0 views: 5883 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # Evolving RP2040 Train-Signage — Bringing SSL to WIZnet Ethernet on Raspberry Pi Pico > Custom CircuitPython firmware adds SSL to Pico/Pico 2 + WIZnet W5500, letting a long-running train-signage project fetch Tokyu line data over HTTPS. Original author: Akihiro “akkiesoft” Suzuki (source: https://akkiesoft.hatenablog.jp/entry/20250719/1752896108) ## Components - **WIZnet W5500** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500)) - **Raspberry Pi Pico** x 1 ([docs](https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/microcontrollers/raspberry-pi-pico.html)) - Software: **Adafruit Circuitpython**: custom build CIRCUITPY_SSL = 1; optional modules trimmed for 2 MB Pico ([docs](https://docs.circuitpython.org/en/latest/README.html)) WIZnet parts: W5500 ([Datasheet](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500/datasheet?utm_source=maker&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=w5500), [product hub](https://maker.wiznet.io/products/w5500/)) ## Documents and links - [akkiesoft-pico](https://github.com/Akkiesoft/akkiesoft-pico) (code) ## Article **Project Author – Akihiro “akkiesoft” Suzuki (Japan)** *Maker / open-source evangelist · regular exhibitor at OSC Tokyo, Maker Faire Tokyo, Raspberry JAM Tokyo · frequent contributor to MagPi Monday* --- ### What he built – in one sentence A self-made, always-on **train-signage system** that pulls live Tokyu Den-en-Toshi-Line data over **WIZnet Ethernet** and renders it on either a pocket-size TFT or a full-size HDMI screen—now fully HTTPS-capable thanks to a custom CircuitPython build. --- ### Evolution of the project | Year | Milestone | WIZnet Part | RP2040 Board | Note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **2021** | Breadboard proof-of-concept; pulls Tokyu API via HTTP | W5500 breakout | Raspberry Pi Pico | First text-only display; no TLS | | **2022** | Portable demo shown at OSC; first public field test | W5100S Ethernet HAT | Pico | Runs on 5″ TFT; gathers user feedback | | **2023** | Added PicoDVI HDMI output for large screens | W5500 breakout | Pico | Pin clash between DVI & Ethernet discovered | | **2024** | **HAT Flipper rev.2** PCB rotates HAT 180° and moves it to **SPI1** | W5500 | Pico / Pico 2 | Clean wiring; featured in MagPi #146 | | **2025 Mar** | Migrated to **Pico 2 W** for power-bench vs. wired W5500 | W5500 | Pico 2 & Pico 2 W | Wired LAN still wins 24 h stability test | | **2025 Jul** | **Major SSL upgrade** — custom CircuitPython with `CIRCUITPY_SSL = 1` | W5500 | Pico / Pico 2 | Now fetches Tokyu feed over HTTPS | --- ### How WIZnet hardware is used **W5500 breakout** — the “workhorse” SPI Ethernet controller; proven 0.7 s TLS handshake and ~520 kB/s on a 100 Mb LAN. **W5100S Ethernet HAT** — early prototype; helped verify driver compatibility. **EVB-Pico family** — reference firmware compared on Discord; its SSL-enabled build inspired the custom UF2 for plain Pico boards. Custom PCBs designed by akkiesoft: **HAT Flipper** – rotates the Ethernet HAT so LAN and USB point the same way and reroutes it to **SPI1**, freeing SPI0 pins for DVI. **PicoDVI + W5500 adapter** – lets a single Pico drive HDMI *and* wired LAN simultaneously without jumper spaghetti. All KiCad files are open-sourced on GitHub and regularly featured in his annual “*Boards I made this year*” wrap-up. --- ### The SSL breakthrough (2025-07-19)![](https://cdn-ak.f.st-hatena.com/images/fotolife/A/Akkiesoft/20250719/20250719115507.jpg) Stock CircuitPython for Pico/Pico 2 omits `ssl` to fit 2 MB flash. By adding `**CIRCUITPY_SSL = 1**` and disabling a few optional modules (USB_MIDI, ROTARYIO…), akkiesoft produced a **UF2 that still fits (192 kB free) yet speaks TLS 1.2**. Result: the signage now calls Tokyu’s HTTPS + gzip feed directly—no reverse proxy, no Wi-Fi fallback. Verified on Pico, Pico 2, and Pico 2 W; wired W5500 remains the most stable, lowest-power option (0.19 W idle). --- ### Exhibition track record **OSC 2023/24/25 Tokyo & Hokkaido** – live dual-screen demo (ST7789 handheld + 320 × 240 HDMI) draws constant crowds; WIZnet boards displayed side-by-side for comparison. **Maker Faire Tokyo 2023** – won a MagPi Monday feature for the adapter boards. **Raspberry JAM Tokyo** – scheduled August 2025: SSL version + new 480 × 320 IPS panel. --- ### Why this matters for the WIZnet community Proves **Pico/Pico 2 + W5500** can handle modern HTTPS IoT workloads with minimal firmware tweaks. Provides fully documented, reproducible hardware (Gerbers) and software (UF2, Python) for anyone who wants a secure, low-power Ethernet display. Demonstrates how small adapter PCBs can unlock new RP2040-plus-WIZnet form factors—useful for signage, dashboards, and industrial panels alike. --- ### Next on his roadmap Release the SSL-enabled UF2, build-script, and KiCad sources under **MIT license**. Port the project to the upcoming **W5500-EVB-Pico 2** so newcomers can skip adapter wiring entirely. Add MQTT/SSL support and a higher-resolution IPS panel while keeping power under 0.5 W. *Follow akkiesoft’s GitHub or Mastodon feed for the next PCB drop and firmware release.* --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/Benjamin/projects/evolving-rp2040-train-signage--bringing-ssl-to-wiznet-ethernet-on-raspberry-pi-pico/