University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  1 ECE 396 – Senior Design I Fall 2006 Semester PowerPoint presentation #4

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  2 Reverse 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.” -

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  3 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

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  4 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.

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  5 (illegal). Under United States law, reverse engineering a patented item can be infringement (illegal).

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  6 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.

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  7 Illegitimate uses of reverse engineering: removal of copy protection ("cracking") circumvention of access restrictions often present in consumer electronics

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  8 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: ” from “Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about Reverse Engineering” from

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  9 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: Understanding how a product works more comprehensively than by merely observing it

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  10 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: Investigating and correcting errors and limitations in existing electronic products or computer programs

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  11 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: Studying the design principles of a product as part of an education in engineering

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  12 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: Making products and systems compatible so they can work together or share data

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  13 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: Evaluating one's own product to understand its limitations

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  14 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: Determining whether someone else has literally copied elements of one's own technology

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  15 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

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  16 Other examples of the different legitimate uses of reverse engineering: Transforming obsolete products into useful ones by adapting them to new systems and platforms

University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  17 Reverse Engineering Example: Walkie-Talkie ($4 per pair at Walgreens)

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University of Illinois at Chicago ECE 396  Senior Design I 4  33 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