Embedded.fm · 3 Oct 2024 · 54m · Episode 486
Antoine van Gelder from Great Scott Gadgets discusses the development of Cynthion, an FPGA-based USB protocol analysis tool, and FaceDancer, a Python library for emulating USB devices. He explains the technical differences between MIDI and USB for digital musical instruments, highlighting latency and timing issues, and details how Cynthion can be used to learn USB standards and debug complex protocol bugs like zero-length packet errors. Van Gelder also shares insights on Great Scott Gadgets' open-source business model and the challenges of implementing robust USB stacks in embedded systems.
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Kate Temkin and Mikaela Szekely from Great Scott Gadgets discuss the challenges and tools of USB reverse engineering. They detail the creation of open-source hardware like the GreatFET and Rhododendron, as well as software tools like USBProxy and the new USB analyzer framework called USB. The conversation covers specific vulnerabilities, such as the Nintendo Switch stack smash, and the difficulties of high-speed signal analysis compared to low-cost logic analyzers.
Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the ongoing chip shortages, highlighting how part scarcity forces engineers to redesign products or pay exorbitant prices on the gray market. They review the Luna USB analyzer from Great Scott Gadgets, an open-source tool using an Lattice FPGA for debugging USB 2.0, and critique the Illume COVID-19 home test for its unnecessary electronics and environmental waste. The conversation also covers career advice, including the value of debugging skills, the 'embedded resume' project by Aaron Vorce, and the importance of right-to-repair initiatives like the WAS conference.
Michael Ossmann of Great Scott Gadgets discusses the release of the HackRF Pro, a complete redesign of the original HackRF1, and the Cynthion, a high-speed USB analyzer and emulator. He explains how Cynthion’s Python-based FaceDancer framework enables 'seance mode' reverse engineering by emulating missing USB devices, and details the HackRF Pro’s ability to receive signals down to 100 kHz using non-direct sampling techniques. The conversation also covers the company’s strategic rejection of LLM-generated code contributions, their reactive approach to global regulatory compliance, and the severe impact of recent chip shortages on their product roadmaps.
Michael Ossmann of Great Scott Gadgets discusses the Daisho project, an open-source hardware platform featuring an FPGA and a custom USB 3.0 core designed to avoid the high cost and bugs of commercial chipsets. He details the challenges of debugging USB 3.0 compliance using expensive LaCroix test instruments and explains how DARPA Cyber Fast Track funding enabled the development of this core. The conversation also covers the open-source hardware ecosystem in Colorado, the Novena modular computer's new solar scope add-on, and Ossmann's preference for using KiCad to support open-source hardware development.
Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams review a week of hardware hacks, including a cheap Lattice ECP5 FPGA dev board from Colorlight, a C64 touchpad by Jan Derogi, and tongue-actuated input devices. They discuss the MNT Reform open-source laptop by Lucas Hartman, a USB kill cord for laptop security, and using Audacity to analyze CNC machine chatter. The episode also covers gradient infill in 3D printing and data backup philosophies.
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