Null Hardware Badge 101 (Desi Jugaad)

By Amey Gat , Umesh on 14 Feb 2014 @ Nullcon
πŸ“Š Presentation πŸ“Ή Video πŸ”— Link
#microcontrollers #embedded-systems #hardware-embedded
Focus Areas: πŸ”§ Hardware Security , 🏭 Industrial Control Systems Security , πŸ“‘ IoT Security

Presentation Material

Abstract

Did you ever have interest in electronics or micro-controller or LEDs or any other electronic stuff ? Ever wondered how things are working under the hood of the smart embedded devices? If the answer is yes then you will love nullcon 2014 Hardware badge. In this talk we will discuss about the current scenario of hardware / embedded hacking in India, the design of nullcon 2014 Hardware badge, what all things can be done using this badge, how the idea was generated, how this idea got evolved and what all problems occurred while creating these badges.

AI Generated Summary

The talk focused on the development of a hardware badge for a security conference, specifically designed to promote interest in hardware hacking and microcontrollers among the community. The badge, a general-purpose kit, features an Atmega8 chip, LEDs, sound output, and input switches. The presenter discussed the design process, including the selection of the Atmega8 chip due to its low cost, small size, and ease of use. They also highlighted the importance of keeping the design simple and affordable to encourage newcomers to explore hardware hacking.

The presenter shared their experience with designing and manufacturing the badge, including the challenges faced during the research and development phase, such as sourcing components and dealing with PCB manufacturers. They provided tips and lessons learned from the process, including the importance of fixing the concept and design before starting, using existing designs and libraries, and considering the cost and time required for the project.

The talk also covered the use of software tools, such as AVRDUDE, for programming and simulating microcontrollers, and the availability of free and open-source software for circuit design and simulation. The presenter emphasized the need for the security community to encourage and support hardware hacking, citing the lack of hardware enthusiasts in India and the difficulties faced by hobbyists in sourcing components and accessing resources.

Overall, the talk aimed to promote interest in hardware hacking and provide a starting point for newcomers, while also sharing the presenter’s experiences and lessons learned from designing and manufacturing a hardware badge.

Disclaimer: This summary was auto-generated from the video transcript using AI and may contain inaccuracies. It is intended as a quick overview β€” always refer to the original talk for authoritative content. Learn more about our AI experiments.