To My Readers



If this is the first time you're visiting my blog, thank you. Whether you're interested or just curious to find out about PCB reverse engineering (PCB-RE), I hope you'll find something useful here.

This blog contains many snippets of the content in my books to provide a more detailed overall sampling for my would-be readers to be better informed before making the purchase. Of course, the book contains more photos and nice illustrations, as evidence from its cover page. Hopefully, this online trailer version will whet your appetite enough to want to get a copy for yourself.

Top Review

I started doing component level repair of electronics with (and without) schematics more than 40 years ago, which activity often involves reverse-engineering of printed circuit boards. Although over the years my technical interests have shifted into particle beam instrumentation, electron microscopy, and focused ion beam technology fields, till this day——and more often than not——PCB repairs have returned multiple multi-million-dollar accelerators, FIB, and SEM instruments back to operation, delivering great satisfaction and some profit.

Many of the methods described by Keng Tiong in great details are similar to the approaches I've developed, but some of the techniques are different, and as effective and useful as efficient and practical. Systematic approach and collection of useful information presented in his books are not only invaluable for a novice approaching PCB-level reverse engineering, but also very interesting reading and hands-on reference for professionals.

Focus on reverse engineering instead of original design provides unique perspective into workings of electronics, and in my opinion books by Keng Tiong (I've got all three of them) are must-read for anybody trying to develop good understanding of electronics——together with writings by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill, Phil Hobbs, Jim Williams, Bob Pease, Howard Johnson and Martin Graham, Sam Goldwasser, and other world's top electronics experts.

Valery Ray
Particle Beam Systems Technologist

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

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!
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