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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
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