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Hardware Hacking

This document provides an overview of hardware hacking and tips for getting started in the field. It defines hardware hacking as modifying electronic devices to improve them or give them new features. It recommends finding ideas from existing projects, combining different concepts, and using consumer devices when possible. The challenges include issues with weight, power consumption, and heat when combining mobile devices. Support can be found from hardware project communities and by using open source software and mature platforms with documentation. Experimentation, improvisation, and having fun are key parts of the hardware hacking process.

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485 views16 pages

Hardware Hacking

This document provides an overview of hardware hacking and tips for getting started in the field. It defines hardware hacking as modifying electronic devices to improve them or give them new features. It recommends finding ideas from existing projects, combining different concepts, and using consumer devices when possible. The challenges include issues with weight, power consumption, and heat when combining mobile devices. Support can be found from hardware project communities and by using open source software and mature platforms with documentation. Experimentation, improvisation, and having fun are key parts of the hardware hacking process.

Uploaded by

api-3814317
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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An Example of Hardware Hacking

A collection of tips and tricks by Oliver Baltzer


Hardware Hacking

Disclaimer & Definitions

Hardware Hacking:
is t he process of building, rebuilding, m odifying or am at eur
creat ion of elect ronic hardware either t o m ake it bet ter, fast er,
give added feat ures or to m ake it do som ething it was never
int ended t o do.
- - Wikipedia
Hardware Hacking
Oil Cooled PC →

↑ MP3- enabled Wireless Router

Wireless- enabled Xbox →


How to start?

●
You need an idea!
– old devices you have at home
– look around what other people do
●
http:/ / www.hackaday.com
●
http:/ / www.makezine.com
●
http:/ / slashdot.org
– build your project on ex iting ones
●
OpenWRT, DS Linux, Xbox Linux, PSP Hacking, GPS,
Ham, RC Cars/ Plane/ Boats, Aibo, Robosapien
– combine different ideas – be creative!
How to start?

●
Roombot:
– hear people talk about a Canadian Tire Special
– iRobot Releases SCI Specification
– ex perience with OpenWRT
– remainder is creative glue
What are the challenges?

●
Combine one device with another:
– Robosapien + Computer
What are the challenges?

●
Combine one device with another:
– Robosapien + Computer

→
What are the challenges?

●
Combine one device with another:
– Roomba + Computer

+
What are the challenges?

●
Combine one device with another:
– Roomba + Computer

+ =
What are the challenges?

●
Combine one device with another:
– when mobile problems with weight and power
consumption
●
use PDAs or em bedded devices (e.g. wireless rout ers)
– smart furniture may have problem with heat
●
use low- voltage devices (e.g. VIA EPIA, Int el Pentium Mobile)
– use consumer devices
– avoid processor development
boards (too expensive)
– alternatively get pre- built
embedded controller boards
(uCsimm, gumstix)
What are the challenges?

●
Use a platform that:
– is easy to develop on
– already has a lot of software available
– has a large community for support
– is well documented
Where to get support information?

●
Hardware Support:
– many hacking projects start on a specific device but are
often compatible with clones and similar devices (e.g.
OpenWRT)
●
Missing Parts:
– use Google to find what you need
●
Example: USB to RS232 to TTL → USB to TTL
– everything else you have to build yourself, but you
should improvise
How to get ...?

●
Where to buy?
– use Google to find what you need
– Online Stores
– RadioShack
– DigiKey
●
How much does it cost?
– Depends on what you already have and how long you
want to wait.
– Ebay: cheap, takes a little longer, you will void the
warranty anyway
– Buy new: fast, you know what you buy, you might be
able to give it back
●
Roombot: ca. $6 0 0
What about Software?

●
use Open Source!!!!!
●
use mature projects with useful tools
– OpenWRT comes with a complete build- chain for the target
platform and has package support
●
stick with C on embedded systems
– Java will most likely be not available
– interpreters (e.g. Python) don't like cross- compiling
●
Keep it simple!!!
– Roombot: 280 LOC + Netcat + Shell Scripts
What's left?

●
play, experiment and have FUN!

●
Things are often not the way they are supposed
to be!
– iRobot's SCI Spec. lies about power supply
●
trial & error
– You want to make mistakes. In most cases you won't
break anything, but you may set your pants on fire.
EOF

This space for sale!

[email protected]
http:/ / nobits.org/

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