New Year's Eve

The year 2021 is coming to a close in about 12 hours time (Singapore). As cities around the world bid farewell to another year of pandemic, and people gather for the final countdown to usher in a new year, celebrating with families and friends to have made it this far, and wishing one another better times ahead, I would like to share a photo of my city-state with my readers: 

The brilliant fireworks set against the famous landmarks of the Marina Bay Sands (left), the Art-Science Museum (center)  and the Singapore Flyer (right), all over the Marina Bay area, is a reflection and reminder that life can still be beautiful if we learn not to take it for granted, but live with gratitude and appreciation for the nature and nice people around us.

Let me leave you with the familiar tune of the following song:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne*?

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my jo,

for auld lang syne,

we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

Take care and see you next year!

The Art of Communication

Communication is key, whether it's in a relationship, workplace or between strangers. To carry on a meaningful conversation there must be some kind of common understanding and language, much like a standard protocol between the two parties.

The same goes for devices in a circuit board or client-server in a cloud or network. Information can transfer at high speed or just occasional casual exchanges, depending on the applications they are designed for. One of most commonly found communication links is the serial bus:

Even so, you may be surprised to know that there are quite a number of protocols, grouped into  two camps: synchronous and asynchronous. Of course, faster is not necessary better as it depends on your design requirements.

Still, it is good to know the popular ones if you want to make sense of the schematic you're deciphering. It's not that difficult, though. I'll show you how in this upcoming book. Don't ask me when it's coming out because I haven't the faintest idea. Maybe by the end of the first quarter next year.

Just keep a look out for my progress updates on this blog. 

What is Christmas to You?

People all over the world celebrate Christmas, but this special season means different things to different people. Even so, there is something magical and magnetic about Christmas that draws people to it. As the year comes to a close and everyone put aside their work and worries, there is this anticipation of something good, something better that will perhaps wash away all the accumulated unhappiness and unpleasant experiences, and bring about a new beginning with new promises.

Yes, there is something about Christmas that seems to bring joy to the weary spirit, a kind of love that warms and lifts the heavy-hearted, and a renewed hope that puts a smile on the tear-stained face. It could be the festive mood, the colorful decorations, the angelic carol voices, and the gifts that you receive.

More importantly, Christmas is not just a holiday or an event to be celebrated. Christmas is really about a Person (not Santa Claus, of course!) whose name is imprinted in the very word itself. Give it some thought and ponder the wonder of its significance. It may just make this Christmas different and deeply meaningful than what you have ever known...

MCU - It's Not What You Think

These days, when people see the acronym 'MCU' they'll associate it with 'Marvel Cinematic Universe', thanks to the series of movies like 'X-Men' and 'The Avengers'. For electronic engineers, 'MCU' simply stands for 'Microcontroller Unit', one of many branches of the processor universe.

In fact, just like the Nine Realms mentioned in the 'Thor' movie and its spin-offs, there are also various realms or architectures of processors (some say there are five while others claim there are ten). And like the 5000-year convergence that remove the boundaries between the Nine Realms, processors are also gradually blurring their lines of distinction.

The latest incarnation is RISC-V, an ISA based on reduced instruction set computer (RISC) principles, but unlike most other ISA designs, it is provided under a open source license that does not require fees to use. This is significant because it will allow smaller device manufacturers to build hardware without paying royalties and allow developers and researchers to design and experiment with a proven and freely available instruction set architecture. It will also encourage innovation and competition at a time when many large manufacturers are buying up their competitors, such as the recent acquisition of Arm Ltd by Nvidia.

But I'm not sure if that is the finality of the processor evolution, just as Thanos mistakenly bragged "I am inevitable" only to find out that he had lost all his marbles (stones) to Tony Stark with the last words, "And I am Iron Man!"

The Matrix Reprogrammed

Since it's debut in 1999, The Matrix has spun two successive movies four years later, a sequel (The Matrix Reloaded) and a trilogy (The Matrix Revolutions). It's latest incarnation, The Matrix Resurrections came almost after a 20-year absence, re-igniting interest in this topic. But will the storyline and special effects deliver?

I'll have to admit, it took a while for me to figure out the concept behind The Matrix when I first watched it. Special effects aside, the idea that reality is simulated in the brain instead of lived out in the body seemed far-fetched back then. Not anymore in this age of the Metaverse, where virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) began to blur the line of distinction between what is real and imaginary. Kinda scary, isn't it?

The Matrix, however, has been around even before it came onto the silver screen. We electronic engineers encounter them on a daily basis, in the form of programmable logic devices:

Whether it's factory or field programmable, from the early days of PROM all the way to today's complex FPGAs, The Matrix continues to re-invent itself (not just reloaded or revolutionized). Heck, if resurrections is anything to go by, it'll probably be a retrospection of past technologies rejuvenated by today's advances in science and a fair bit of fiction.

And that's a whole bunch of 'Re-'s if you care to count...

Conjunction, Disjunction, Negation

Language can be confusing when it comes down to difficult terms like these words in the post title. Makes you wonder if there's a simpler and better way to put it so even the man on the street can understand. That's where the Boolean lingo shines——conjunction (AND), disjunction (OR), negation (NOT). When it comes to simplifying logic circuits, you have De-Morgan to thank, too.

Not everyone agrees, though. And for obvious (pun intended) reasons. It may take you a while to figure but once the light bulb turns on, the rest as they say, is history.

Reset, ReSET, RESET...!!!

I'm not much of a fan of the World Economic Forum, an international non-governmental and lobbying organization that meddles with the economic affairs of the world. Since the start of the CoVid-19 pandemic it's founder, Klaus Schwab, has been entertaining the possibility of a Global Reset, a move that he believes will help bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. But not many people buy into his idea, especially his wry remark:

Seriously, we'll own nothing and be happy? 50 years on since founding the WEF (or as some people say, WTF), he may be close to realizing his dream of owning a large part of the world with the rest of the global elites, while the rest of us are expected to loan the earth from 'them', our masters. This is one BIG RESET I would rather not see happen.

The only kind of reset that is of real benefit is the PoR i.e. 'Power on Reset'. Most electronics and computer systems depend on it to function properly and predictably, though getting the charge-up time correctly is a matter of trial and error.

Now, if only there's a Re-SET that can redistribute the wealth of these greedy globalists to the needy and hardworking people of the world, that would be nice, isn't it? We just need to find THAT switch to the MARTIX...

Visio Alternatives?

I've been asked a number of times by readers whether there's any open source Visio alternatives out there, and I can understand why—a single user license doesn't come cheap even for a Standard version. Of course, there are many so-called free alternatives (not necessary open source, though) that claim to be  equal to or better than Microsoft Visio. Some are cloud-based, online kind of diagramming editors that do not need to be installed, while others offer free download of their most basic products with limitations for you to try before you buy.

At best, if you ask me, these alternatives are nothing more than your usual run-of-the-mill diagramming tools with colorful and attractive templates for drag-and-drop style presentation and illustration purposes only. When it comes to creating serious engineering drawings, their arsenal of drafting tools prove to be rather basic and primitive.

In my years of using Visio, right from the start with version 4.1 Technical from Shapeware, to this present time with Visio 2016, there is never a doubt in my mind that nothing (and I mean NOTHING) out there comes close to the power and usability of this amazing piece of software. How many of these Visio wanna-be spot the following features:

        1. Multiple-page support per drawing file
        2. Layering of shapes
        3. Smartshapes and Shapesheet programmability
        4. Bill of Materials report generation

Most Visio alternatives failed on just the first feature alone. And if you have bought my PCB-RE books you would no doubt have firsthand experience of what it's capable of through the many examples that I've demonstrated.

If the full license is too high upfront, you can opt for Microsoft's monthly plans of $5 for a web-based version which is synced to Onedrive, or $15 for an additional desktop install version. This can be tied to your Office 365 subscription without bursting your bank account. In fact, Microsoft offers a free 30-day trial of its latest version. Click on Evaluate Visio to go to the site.

So go ahead, give Visio a try and see if it's the best and only diagramming tool you'll ever need.

A Word of Thanks

Thanksgiving is a special season. It brings to mind the wonderful people we meet and the beautiful times and memories we had throughout the year. And as we gather with family and friends over a sumptuous feast, we can't help but be thankful, that despite the pandemic that has ravaged for the past two years, two things still remain close and precious to our hearts——family and friendships.

While Thanksgiving Day is not a national holiday in my country, I want to take this opportunity to thank all my readers——those who have supported my works and left glowing reviews to spur me on in this journey which I started six years ago. Your honest purchase of my books has made it possible for me to continue writing and giving to charities, however meager by comparison to other renown authors. Still, it's the thought that counts, isn't it?

It is my hope that the knowledge and experience I put into print will benefit the electronics community for many years to come. As each generation of engineers embark on this challenging yet rewarding adventure of doing PCB-RE, may they hear the faint echo of this obscure writer cheering them onwards to master this niche and coveted skillset, long after he is gone.

Happy Thanksgiving Day, my readers! Stay safe and well throughout this festive seasons...

By George!

Happened to catch a re-telecast of Ocean's Thirteen on TV late last night. The plot was interesting and the cast of characters quite entertaining. But those who watched Steven Soderbergh's Ocean trilogy must admit that lead actor George Clooney who played Danny Ocean displayed a personal charm that had audiences captivated throughout the show, notwithstanding appearances by heavyweights like Al Pacino, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.

The attempt to pull a heist over The Bank, Al Pacino's greatest and most advanced casino, run by an AI central control and surveillance system codenamed Greco, which even The Malloy Brothers believed was unbroachable, spun out a series of strategies that ultimately saw the team made off with half a billion in winnings and a quarter billion in diamonds.

A movie is just that—pure entertainment—if there is no takeaway after viewing and reviews. Strategies aside, I believe the success of a team is dependent on the participation of every player. More importantly, though, the charisma of a leader is the glue that gels the team and at the same time gives leeway for team members to be at their best in the roles and tasks assigned.

Do you have what it takes to be an Ocean, or the top players that swim in it? 

The Author-Reader Dichotomy

Not every book author takes pain in giving their readers the best reading and visual experience when it comes to the content and illustrations found in their books, especially those of the engineering genre. The reason is simple: it requires time and effort and to some extent, the ability of the writer to not only translate their thoughts into words but their ideas into drawings.

Among those who do, fewer still are willing to go the extra mile to produce the diagrams themselves. The easiest way is to make do with what's already available, or engage someone good at drawing to do the hard work for them. Finding consistency in the style of illustration in an engineering book is therefore even rarer.

Being an indie author and one who loves producing technical illustrations, I take pride in the books that I authored. There are times when I would spend hours drafting a diagram for a topic in discussion, only to discard or shelve it when the content underwent changes during the process of proofreading. One example is the 72-pin SIMM below:

It would seem like a waste not to include it after all the hard work and time invested, but that's just me. Being a perfectionist, I expect nothing less than the best from myself and for my readers. I believe if a reader is willing to support me through honest purchase of my books, he or she should receive value for investing his or her hard-earned money on my works.

Of course, not everyone share this sentiment or conviction. Some have no qualms stealing free copies from authors who make conscientious efforts to share their knowledge. Others go even further to rip-off the small earnings of these authors who spent months to a year writing their books, by offering pirated copies online in return for a fraction of the book price. It cost these pirates nothing (except their dignity and integrity) but it results in loss of income for the authors and ultimately the engineering communities, because without a sustainable income they had to quit writing and whatever valuable insights and experience will not get passed on.

There is no real winner in the long haul. Just some temporary gains for the unscrupulous loafers who live off the hard works of authors. So think about it before you mindlessly download the next free copy of ebook from those dark webs.

What Goes Up Must Come Down

That's as far as gravity is concerned, though there are those who argue it is the density of an object and not the gravitational force of the earth that is at work. I'm not a physicist but an engineer, so I'll just focus on what I know best——pull-up and pull-down resistors.

When you think about it, digital circuits aren't that 'digital' to begin with once you peel off the facade that confined their operational limits to the binary universe. Since its inception until today, the term 'digital' is not just about TTL or CMOS anymore. The insatiable appetite for the never ending quest of higher operating speeds has resulted in a kind of 'digital' metaverse, one in which different operating voltages exist side-by-side and interacting with each other via translators in the form of digital 'stargates'.

If ever MCU Studio decides to come out with a new series (X-Men and Avengers are really showing their age), perhaps they might want to consider Meta-Warriors or something to that effect. Just a suggestion.

Which Hierarchy?

Certainly not Maslow's 'hierarchy of needs'. When it comes to schematic diagrams, the term hierarchy means more than just a top-down structure:

Depending on the circuit design, a simple or complex hierarchy may be implemented to bring out the best representation possible. Still, it takes practice and experience to manage this kind of structure. Thankfully, most of us don't have to produce such designs. Deciphering them is another matter altogether.

Your Preference Reveal Your Personality

Ever been asked which type of personality you belong to? Are you the rational (left-brain) or emotional (right-brain), the engineering or artistic type? When it comes to deciding what kind of component symbols to use in schematic diagram, it seems we're faced with the same dilemma.

Not to worry though. I'm sure you already know your preference when it comes to reading or drawing electronic circuits. But in case you're still undecided, this forthcoming book will give you a better idea of your engineering inclinations.

There is really no right or wrong, good or bad when it comes to choosing symbols, ANSI or IEEE. After all, deciphering schematics won't be fun without all the flavors and quirks out there, isn't it?

Have a good weekend and try not to lose sleep over it. (grin!)

Anatomy of a Writer's Dream

For those familiar with the concept of a schematic diagram, there is no need to elaborate further what constitute the elements that made up an electrical or electronic circuit. But for those who want a formal understanding on the anatomy, this is the book to anticipate.

I can't promise you how soon this book will hit the shelve, though. The year end is a busy period for me with much commitments to attend to. Hopefully, I can squeeze out some time to craft a few more pages. As of now, it is about 20% complete.

Like I said before, I take my work very seriously to give my readers an enjoyable reading experience. That means putting the extra effort and time into creating illustrations using Microsoft Visio to give an overall consistency and appeal. It is hard work, so I appreciate those who get my books through honest purchase and leave encouraging comments on Amazon to spur me on.

Next year will be the seventh year into my writing career. It will also be a make or break watershed year for me. My wife and I have been in discussion several times over, whether this move I made six years ago has been worth it, and whether it will be sustainable in the long run. All I can say is the royalties I earned is meagre and heavily supplemented by my wife's income as an admin staff. She is willing to support my dream and passion as an author, and believes in leaving a legacy that will benefit aspiring engineers in the future. For that, I am indebted and grateful to her.

I believe also in giving back to society which is why I continue to contribute a part of my book earnings to charities. It gives my writing a sense of mission and fulfillment, though at the back of my mind, I wish I could afford my wife who stick with me during this trying period a better quality of life. For now, she is content with the simple status as an author's wife. Perhaps next year when I complete my sixth engineering book, I may call it a day and do something else that will provide a steady income and give her a brighter future to look forward to.

So, yeah. I will probably look back with fondness that I've lived my dream for a while, albeit with a tint of sadness that it did not turn out the way I've hoped. Nonetheless, part of my engineering legacy will definitely live on in print. It should be consolation enough for the seven years I will have invested.

Heatsink for M.2 SSD

It is common knowledge that M.2 NVMe SSDs are prone to overheating which can lead to thermal throttling and result in performance degradation. Installing a heatsink brings improvement in temperature and even more so with sufficient air flow. So, I decided on a passive aluminum type 2280 form factor with  top and bottom thermal pads for better heat dissipation.

The red color finish adds a nice touch to the otherwise black and formidable appearance of the ASRock motherboard. Installation was quick and simple, and it cost me only three bucks. Hopefully, this new PC will last as long as my old faithful.

Now back to my writing.

New Desktop

Finally, after 13 years of service and a few interim upgrades, it's time to replace my old faithful E8400 core 2 dual desktop which is showing signs of aging. This time, instead of assembling from scratch, I decided to just order from an online shopping platform. After some comparisons and reading the reviews, this is my choice:

It is an AMD Ryzen 3 3200G CPU running on an ASRock A320M-HDV R4.0 motherboard with 8GB of DDR4 3200MHz memory, housed in a Tecware Nova M mini ATX tower casing with three fans. It came with a 250GB SSD and Windows 10 pre-installed. Price: Sgd 582.

Since the motherboard has a M.2 interface, I was tempted to add an NVMe SSD to give me the extra bit of data storage. Price: Sgd 50.

All in all, I spent a total of Sgd 632 (about 2 months of what I earned from my books) which is quite a good deal. The new PC is fast and incredibly quiet unlike the sound of CPU fan from the old PC which can be annoying at times. Best of all, it has TPM 2.0 which supports Windows 11, though I will not be upgrading to the new OS anytime soon until Microsoft fixes all the bugs and release a stable edition.

The Many Faces of Circuit Diagrams

I'm not sure how things were when you started learning to read circuit diagrams. As far as I'm concerned, I only learned about the term 'schematic' much latter when I fiddled with EDA tools in the early days of my employment. So in reality, I always refer to electrical drawings as circuit diagrams. Of course, many electronic engineers begin their journey as a hobbyist building simple to sophisticated projects, usually from kits sold in electronics shops, to those found in electronics magazines.

I had my fair shares of fun and frustrations in building those electronic kits and projects. But it was through all the hard knocks that I learned how to decipher circuit diagrams. You might not believe or even seen one of these symbol templates that engineers used to draw circuits before the advent of EDA software.

I do miss the good old days but given a choice, I'd rather not go back to drawing circuits by hand. Electronics engineers never have it so good in this twenty-first century.

The Art of Learning

Albert Einstein once said, "Any fool can know; the point is to understand." There are those who learn by reading, and there are those who learn by doing. Every person has a different way of learning and degree of understanding what he or she has learned. Of course, teachers play an important role in cultivating the interest of learning in their students, but how a teacher teaches a subject will determine to some measure how a student learn with understanding.

That's why it's essential for any aspiring book author to lay out a clear objective when setting out to write on a specific subject. This should be stated upfront to let the readers know what to expect and what the book aims to achieve. While a book can be informative in content and engaging in style, it is the reader's mindset that will ultimately decide how much he or she will gain from reading. Learning and teaching go hand in hand, so we can't talk about the art of learning without including the art of teaching, and more:

The art of teaching is patience and clarity; the art of learning is listening and asking the right questions; and the art of understanding what you learn is knowing how to relate the facts to experience.

Now you know, but do you understand?

New Book Cooking

Can you make out the following words?

This is the title to the next book that I am currently working on. I have intentionally chosen a rather cryptic font for the chapter titles to reinforce the idea of its content. Not to worry, the rest of the text will be normal and readable.

Somehow, it brought to mind the recent Marvel blockbuster, Shang-Chi, which critics initially deemed to be a failure due to the anti-Sino sentiments which past Hollywood movies tend to portray. But Chinese kung-fu has a kind of attraction that is irresistible, and now coupled with cinematic effects makes it all the more appealing to the viewers of this ancient martial art form. It reminds me of the Hong Kong comic series Dragon-Tiger Gate that I grew up reading, which brought back a sense of nostalgia:

Hopefully, when this new book is released (not any time soon), readers will catch a glimpse of its aura in my writings. As I always believe, engineering books should not be dry or boring; rather, they should be engaging in a way to fire the passion and imagination of the readers, so that the learning journey is both enjoyable and enriching.

For those who have read my books, I welcome your comments and thoughts.

What Makes A Great Engineer?

Not everyone is born with a high IQ, and those who do may not possess a good EQ to augment their inborn advantage. That's why geniuses like Leonardo Da Vinci and Nikola Tesla are such rare breed who were born ahead of their times.

What distinguishes a great engineer from a good engineer is not how much knowledge he gained in the classroom, but how much experience he acquired in the course of his career. Not that he never fail or suffer setbacks but rather, he never calls it quit in the face of difficulties. It's the courage to confront and overcome a problem that sets him apart from the rest of the pack. If I may put it aptly:

Great engineers are crafted in the baptism of fire. Those who opt for the easy way out either sabotaged their latent potentials or do not have what it takes to be one.

Do you have what it takes to be a great engineer?

A Blast from the Past

How time flies! It's been 35 years since my first overseas training at Grumman Aerospace Corporation (GAC) in Long Island, New York. I was part of the pioneer team responsible for bay repair of the now decommissioned E-2C early-warning surveillance aircraft. During the six month stint there, I was introduced to the concept of automated test equipment (ATE), learning how to operate and maintain two sophisticated test equipment designed by GAC (now Northrop-Grumman) to service the avionics of four E-2Cs purchased by the RSAF.

Posting for photo shoot with the CAT-IIID with the ATE team's instructors, Kevin Campbell (left) and Frank Lockwood, Jr. Wonder if they're still around...

And here is the coveted certificate:

Well, I didn't display it at my work desk in my previous company of 25 years, and now that I'm into full-time writing, it is locked away in a cabinet along with the rest of my other ATE certifications. I had dreamed of putting my knowledge on these machine marvels into four volumes, but now it seems that will only remain a dream and I will take all that I've learned to my grave...

Layout Diagram (Fast Track)

Microsoft Visio is such a piece of versatile 2D drafting tool it's not difficult to create complex illustrations and diagrams using simple geometric shapes. Take for example the Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT graphics card featured in Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials:

At one glance, it seems impossible but if you were to go through Chapter 5 of the book, you will be given a fast track into how such a complicated PCB layout diagram can be created. Well not effortlessly but certainly not difficult either.

But if you are the type that needs to be held by the hand and taught step-by-step, then I would suggest getting The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering, where you will literally go through a detailed exercise in creating a SCSI host adapter card, complete with the mechanical fittings.

Don't take my word for it; you've got to really hands on to believe it. Click on the titles of the books to go to Amazon and start drawing some amazing stuff with Microsoft Visio!

The Chameleon

What has a chameleon got to go with PCB-RE? Observant readers will notice that a colorful chameleon is featured on the bottom right side of my fourth book, Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials:

The chameleon is an interesting species of the reptilian family. Besides its ability to change skin color to match the surrounding environment, it has a pair of pinhole–sized eyes that can pivot and focus independently, allowing it to observe two different objects simultaneously with a 360-degree arc of vision around its body. It also possesses a sticky long tongue over twice its body length that enables it to catch its prey at a distance with precision and speed.

Similarly, a PCB-RE engineer must possess the ability to adapt to different types of PCB technology, with eyes for expansive and miniscule details, as well as the resourcefulness to grow beyond present limits with each project undertaking. In other words——be like the Chameleon!

This fourth and final book on PCB-RE gives you all the essentials on how to master the manual method of PCB reverse engineering. Using a Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT as a teaching aid, readers are introduced to several technologies involved in the design of today's graphics card, from the PCI-e bus, PWM controller chips, RGB-DVI video interfaces, dual data rate (DDR2) memories, to Nvidia's  illusive G84 series GPU and proprietary SLI bus, as well as HDCP ROM and GPU BIOS Flash——all within one single book!

So if you want a fast-lane, no-frills introduction to these interesting topics (besides picking up one of the ultimate methodology I developed over 15 years of doing PCB-RE), then grab a copy of the book by clicking on the front cover above to order. Joe Grand's endorsement is your surest guarantee!

Princess Engineer

People have a notion that engineering is a guys' thing, so whenever a young woman takes up this trade, whether it's electronics, mechanical, power, civil, etc., it seems to raise an eyebrow with an 'are you serious?' kind of expression. Truth is, in my thirty over years as an electronics engineer, I have seen many women working on test benches than I could care to count, from my air force days to the last company that I worked in.

So what is it about engineering that attracts women, apart from the fact that some people are the handy type who like to work or create things with their hands? I remember there was one time while I was dismantling an airborne electronic module with many screws, carefully laying out the parts and bolts on a work bench, when a lady programmer who was quietly watching me remarked, "I just love to watch men at work taking things apart. It's just so... man!"

Well, I don't know if I can say the same if I were to watch a woman does the same thing, though. "Err... you know, watching you taking things apart is such a... beautiful thing!" Better not risk myself getting whammed on the head with a size 32 spanner!

Anyway, if you're a lady engineer who happens to read this post, I would love to hear your take on this. Who knows, it may just inspire me to write a book (grin!)

PCB-RE in Forensic Investigation

Chip-Off forensics using JTAG in data recovery is an increasingly essential and important aspect of investigative work to support judicial evidence in a post-modern, fast-changing landscape of mobile-invasive lifestyle. This topic is featured in PCB-RE: Tools & Techniques by one of the leading renown instructor in this 'dark art', Bob Elder, who is also the CEO in-charge of operations for Teel Technologies, Canada.

Participants who enrolled for the Embedded Hardware Acquisition & Analysis Training are given a special bonus: The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering and PCB-RE: Tools & Techniques. Readers interested to find out more about the courses can go to this LINK.

Of course, you can order a copy of my sequel book to catch a glimpse of what Chip-off forensics is all about from the man himself who contributed that chapter. Just click on the book titles above to preview and place your order.

Interest and Query

Since announcing my fourth book, Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials on various social media platforms, there has been quite some interests generated over the series of PCB-RE books I've written. An engineer by the name Pedro Ribeiro emailed me:

Your books look amazing, but I wanted to ask your advice for which one should I get first.

I'm a software reverse engineer and ethical hacker and I'm specializing in attacking embedded systems. One of the first steps in attacking these systems is to identify serial or JTAG connections in order to obtain root access to them. However sometimes the JTAG/serial lines are cut after the device leaves the factory and need to be shorted, restored, a resistor needs to be added etc.

As you can see this is the kind of issue I face frequently which doesn't require a very deep understanding of PCB reverse engineering.

For this simple use case, which of your books do you recommend to get started? 

I'm sure other people would benefit if you put an explanation of what each book is and what is the intended audience in your blog! It's a bit confusing to try to understand what are the differences between each of the books.

Thanks in advance!

My reply:

Nice to hear from you and I’m happy to answer your query. 

I did a short write-up on the first three books in my blog. You can find it at this link.

The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering is for beginners who wants to learn how to document their manual approach in doing PCB-RE. There are two editions of the book, a full-color and a black-and-white.

PCB-RE: Tools & Techniques is for those who want a more complete treatment of the PCB-RE subject. It features contributing engineers who shared their experiences using different equipment and methodologies.

PCB-RE: Real-World Examples is for those who want to learn how engineers apply PCB-RE in real life scenarios. There is a chapter by Juan Carlos Jiménez on firmware hacking which should be useful to you.

Based on your interest and work, this is the book to get.

Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials is a more in-depth look at the manual method using a commercial PCB. This is for those who wants a no-frills guide to doing real-world manual PCB-RE.

Hope the above information helps.

Joe Grand's Foreword

After three months of waiting, Joe Grand's Foreword to my book, Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials is finally done and incorporated. Here's the announcement from the 'kingpin' himself in his Grand Idea Studio website:

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. But I'm sure you can be confident about the content of a book by the kind of person who endorsed it!

Good Grief...!!!

There are novice engineers out there who have such unrealistic perceptions about PCB-RE and hardware design it really makes one wonder if they got their fundamentals right about electronics. Just yesterday, I received an email from someone (I won't put his name to save him the embarrassment) asking about reverse engineering and copyright infringement. A sleuth of exchanges ensued until I realize it's going nowhere and have to put a stop to it:

X: Is it possible to reverse engineer circuit boards to avoid patent infringement? For example to produce a device that does the same thing but is structured differently? Is it easy? For example is there a computer program that can rework a circuit board? 

Me: Reverse engineering circuit boards to learn how a product works for personal knowledge should not infringe on patents. Neither if it’s done to help in daily repair work, for personal use. But if it’s to produce a competitive product, then it’s subject to the other party’s legal jurisdictions. Whether reverse engineering is easy or not depends on the nature of the PCB. Of course, experience and skill play a part. There is no software-only solution to reversing circuit boards. You’ll need a hardware-software combo to do the job, either semi- or fully automated.

X: I want to reengineer products already available in the market. Is it possible to take a PCB and make it different but to do the same thing with different components, by using software that will give a combination of components that do the same thing?

Me: I’m not sure what you mean by ‘using software that will give a combination of components that do the same thing.’ Are you referring to simulation software? Like I say, reengineering existing products has its grey area and is subject to legal jurisdiction from rival companies. You need to tread carefully.

X: Basically taking a rival company. Taking their product, making a PCB schema from their circuit board, plugging it into software, pressing a button and have a new schema that does the same thing except with a different schema. Is that possible?

Me: No.

X: So how do they do it when they take rival products? 

Me: There is no such thing as a magical software that thinks, analyzes and designs an alternative circuit based on an existing one. If there is, all design engineers will be out of job. And it’s impossible anyway, so stop looking for an easy way out. All well-designed products are carefully thought out and implemented using a baseline that undergoes multiple refinements. That’s why it takes a team of hardware and firmware engineers to work together.

Consider this thread close as further discussion on this matter is futile. Thanks!

As good O' Charlie Brown would say, "Good grief...!!!" I rest my case...

Olympics Fever

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 finally went full swing after a one-year delay due to the global pandemic. We're into the second week of this international sports event and the Olympics fever has hit a high pitch as medals are snatched up in the various sports categories.

Only the fastest, strongest and most determined and disciplined sportsmen and sportswomen will attain the highest glory and honor in their fields of expertise and professionalism. It is the same in every engineering field, including PCB-RE, one of the hardest to master yet the most rewarding niche skill any engineer can ever dream of acquiring.

Look no further if you are one of those looking to make a splash in the engineering Olympics pool, or leave a blazing trail on the tracks of the Olympics circuit stadium. Below are all the resources you'll ever need to get you started on the road to glory:

    

Click on the images to go to the Amazon online bookstore to preview and order your copies. Catch the Olympics fever while it is still burning bright!

Distraction, Diversion...

In the midst of this worldwide pandemic, where social restrictions can put a toll on everyday life, people are getting stressed up handling work and family pressures at the same time, while working from home. As an author, I too feel the same sentiments and that can lead to writer's block that stamps out inspiration to write on a particular topic. I desperately needed a distraction or some kind of diversion.

Being the artistic type, I figured it would be good to immerse in a little design activity instead of just typing all day long on the keyboard, when my brain could not produce any meaningful narrative at the moment. So after the first attempt followed by a few refinements later, here it is:

I like drawing and designing a lot, which is why Visio is a life-saver and a delight to use. Of course, designing book covers is also one of the favorite part in my present writing endeavor. Hopefully, this book will materialize one day...

Amazon Ranking

Slightly over two weeks into its release, my fourth PCB-RE book has attained No. 1 New Release status in the Industrial Technology category:

There is really nothing to shout about as the real test is whether it can achieve a good Best Seller Ranking, which it currently is at 293,187 place for all books category. So, though it's nice to know that there is some semblance of success for my hard work, it's still too early to be elated.

My hope is that there will be good support from readers who show appreciation through honest purchase. It will not only be a strong affirmation for all the efforts I put in, but also a boost for the charities which I have in mind to contribute my royalty earnings to.

So grab a copy today and know that you're doing a kind deed in the process.

Setting Up A Workbench

Setting up an electronic lab like a commercial repair house is certainly out of the question unless you're prepared to fork out a fortune. But if you're thinking of doing PCB diagnostics on your own, you'll need a good set of basic but essential equipment:

• Digital Multimeter (DMM)
• SMD LCR Meter
• Adjustable Power Supplies
• Function Generator
• Mixed Signal Oscilloscope
• Multi-Protocol Adapter
• Universal Device Programmer
• Digital Microscope
• Soldering & Rework Station
• Hand Tools
• Anti-Static Mat & Wrist Strap

I reckon that most engineers will have at least 6-7 out of 11 of the above listed items, and the most meticulous ones will have all of them and more. There is no hard and fast rules to what type of models to procure but try not to go for the cheap ones with minimal functionalities if you can afford it. Good and reliable equipment will last longer and make your work a tat easier and more enjoyable, instead of unnecessary frustrations that may result in wrong diagnosis or wasted time and effort. Of course, you are expected to know how to use these tools and if you can utilize their full potentials, the better you will be at solving PCB defects.

Note:

The suggested list is meant for freelance engineers with their own workbenches. In my book, you will be introduced to other mid and high-end equipment used by repair centers for automated and more comprehensive testing. These are certainly out of reach of most self-employed engineers, but it is still advantageous to be aware and have some ideas how they operate. You never know when you may have the opportunity to work with them!

Email from the Danube

This morning, I was notified of an incoming email with the following message:

I found your books through the "Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast" and have to admit, that I first got a PDF off the internet on Saturday night, but after the first 30 pages, I quickly bought all your books, as I am totally stoked to get into hardware reverse engineering.

I am so glad I found your books and wanted to thank you for your work! Unfortunately, the Amazon package that arrived today did not contain the promised book but an HDMI adapter, guess I have to wait till Wednesday now for the replacement :-D

But thank you in advance and is there a mailing list or something to get notified when your fourth book arrives? As I also want to buy that.

So anyhow, I wish you all the best and will send a picture as soon as the trilogy arrives :-D

Now, I am aware that my books are available on some rogue websites that steal the hard work of book authors like myself. This is evident from the declining sales for the past few months. Frankly, there is nothing I can do about it. I'm not the only one who suffers the loss of income; the charities that I supported with part of my earnings bear the grunt as well. I had kept up with the donations despite the poor sales but had to painfully cut back to just one charity organization, the one that I have been supporting for the past 30 years. I'm sharing this just so my readers who honestly purchase my books know that they too are doing a good cause, and for those who obtained illegal copies at my expense that you have not only wrong me but many fellow humans who depended on the generosity of kind people.

This person had done the right thing which any human with a conscience would do. He is German, I suppose, from the email attachment provided. Every country has its dark history but that does not mean all the people there are bad or lack integrity. We cannot decide where we're born or the environment we're in, but we can choose to do as much good as we possibly can. There is a Chinese saying, "To come out of the dirty mud and still remain pure." It speaks of the lotus plant but allures to people of exceptional character and qualities even in the midst of dark times. I hope most of my readers are too!

You may be wondering why 'Danube'. Well, it's the second longest river in Europe that passes through the most countries, and has its origin from the Black Forest of Germany. Incidentally, black forest cake is my favorite and the ones made by German hands are the best. So let the best of your self shine in this blackest of times in the current pandemic!

Stay safe and be well, my friends.

Update: I received a photo of the books that this reader has purchased:

Update on New Book (Part 2)

A Holistic Approach

There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to PCB diagnostics; more often than not, it depends on what kind of PCB and failure you're up against. While there may be visible and obvious signs that point you to the source of a problem, such as a burnt or blown component, you shouldn't expect these as the norm. There are engineers who swear by a specific tool or technique that they claim to be as reliable as clockwork, but even that is no guarantee to work every time or fool-proof against any PCB. "Well, it's fine with me so long as I'm comfortable with the method of my choice." Sure. But why limit yourself if there are better and more effective ways to do a job? After all, if you intend to make repairing PCB a lifelong career or passion, it makes sense to learn as much as there is to learn about this trade, to seek continuous improvement and a whole new level of experience. This is what distinguishes a professional from an amateur, or a craftsman from a mere worker.

What I'm advocating in this book is a holistic approach to PCB diagnostics that is based on practical, real-life examples. This includes case studies from my own work experience using various tools and techniques, as well as that of some field engineer friends of mine who are generous enough to share their expertise. There is a Chinese saying, "It is not beyond one's dignity to learn from the wisdom of others." In a company of three we can always find a teacher who can endow new knowledge, or a master who can impart a useful skill. One of the most important trait of a good engineer is a willingness to be open to opportunities of learning to further enhance one's abilities. This is something that cannot be attained in a classroom, but only by emulating other good engineers.

Update on New Book (Part 1)

Am into writing the second chapter of my new book, PCB Diagnostics. Here is a screenshot of the opening chapter:

Nope, this is not a joke. I have intentionally linked PCB diagnostics to the practice of TCM for the human body because I see similarities between the two. I have friends who spent years studying this Chinese medicinal method and got to know firsthand what it entails to be a TCM physician. Inter-disciplinary cross examination can sometimes provide useful insights in our approach towards a familiar practice, and give it a new lease of life where the former luster has somehow faded.

The book will probably take a couple of months to write. I will post updates on the progress in the interim. Hopefully it will be worth the wait for my readers.

PCB Diagnostics

While my fourth and final book on PCB-RE is awaiting Joe Grand's Foreword, I have decided to write on a new topic: PCB Diagnostics. Why 'diagnostics' instead of 'troubleshooting', 'fault-finding' or 'repair'? Well, this word encompasses a much broader sense than the usual, and more accurately conveys what my thirty years of experience entails. Here is the front cover design:

Like PCB-RE, PCB diagnostics is a skill that is developed and refined overtime. Nothing can replace the knowledge and know-how of troubleshooting different types of PCBs. It requires not only hands on experience but in-depth exposure to a wide variety of faults to understand the dynamics involved.

I'm still in the initial phase of organizing my thoughts and materials. Once these are sorted out, I will be able to come out with a draft outline of the chapters to define what I want to write. Hopefully it will not take too long, barring any unforeseen interruption or situation arising.