University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396 Senior Design I 41

ECE 396 – Senior Design IECE 396 – Senior Design I

Fall 2006 SemesterFall 2006 Semester

PowerPoint presentation #4PowerPoint presentation #4

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396 Senior Design I 42

Reverse EngineeringReverse Engineering

“Reverse engineering (RE) is the process of discovering the technological principles of a mechanical application through analysis of its structure, function and operation. It often involves taking something (e.g., a mechanical device, an electronic component, a software program) apart and analyzing its workings in detail, usually with the intention to construct a new device or program that does the same thing without actually copying anything from the original.”

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering

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Why reverse engineer?

–analyze how a product works–what components it consists of–estimate costs–identify potential patent infringement–find opportunities for cost cutting–to rewrite lost documentation–copy another product’s technology

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Typically, the legitimate purpose of reverse engineering is to construct a new device or program that does the same thing without actually copying anything from the original.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering

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Under United States law, reverse engineering a patented item can be infringement (illegal). (illegal).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering

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However, if the artifact or process is protected by trade secrets instead of by a patent, then reverse-engineering the artifact or process is lawful as long as the artifact or process is obtained legitimately.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering

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Illegitimate uses of reverse engineering:

removal of copy protection ("cracking")

circumvention of access restrictions often present in consumer electronics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

“Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about Reverse Engineering” from ” from www.chillingeffects.orgwww.chillingeffects.org

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Understanding how a product works more comprehensively than by merely observing it

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Investigating and correcting errors and limitations in existing electronic products or computer

programs

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Studying the design principles of a product as part of an education in engineering

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Making products and systems compatible so they can work together or share data

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Evaluating one's own product to understand its limitations

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Determining whether someone else has literally copied elements of one's own technology

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Creating documentation for the operation of a product whose manufacturer is unresponsive to

customer service requests

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Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering:

Transforming obsolete products into useful ones by adapting them to new systems and platforms

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Reverse Engineering Example:

Walkie-Talkie ($4 per pair at Walgreens)

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Conclusions:

1. Much effort was spent on mechanical design

2. The electronics are difficult to copy due to surface-mounted devices and possibly a custom IC

3. This product is near the end of its market lifetime; further cost reduction or other improvements are unlikely without total

re-design