need to learn hardware hacking - Hardware Hacking General

what tools do i need to learn how to hack hardware, specifically, the antenna on the galaxy s3?

The only real way you can learn about hardware hacking is hands on experience. Go out and get a og Droid or something to mess with. You will learn what you can do. Read anything you can get your hands on! Get a rotary tool and learn to use it on scrap plastic or metal. Learn the hardware of phones and how it all works together and what it does. Ask questions, answer question (make friends here on xda). For the antenna thing, on most devices the antenna is not to be messed with as manufacturers already have it in the ideal location and configuration. Like in the HTC rezound all the antennas are in the back cover.
Hope I helped
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium

ourtut said:
The only real way you can learn about hardware hacking is hands on experience. Go out and get a og Droid or something to mess with. You will learn what you can do. Read anything you can get your hands on! Get a rotary tool and learn to use it on scrap plastic or metal. Learn the hardware of phones and how it all works together and what it does. Ask questions, answer question (make friends here on xda). For the antenna thing, on most devices the antenna is not to be messed with as manufacturers already have it in the ideal location and configuration. Like in the HTC rezound all the antennas are in the back cover.
Hope I helped
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While some devices have an antenna jack for factory test, it is often inadvisable for users to use this antenna.
If you are looking into signal strength improvement, it is strongly recommended to use a close-proximity coupled antenna combined with an amplifier - look at Wilson Electronics' cradle+amp solutions as an example.
While it might be possible to add an antenna jack to many devices that replaces the built-in antenna - don't try this unless you have a spare sacrificial device or two, as such a modification will be irreversible!

Entropy512 is right
Just prepare to buy a new device!
Ha ha ha
Sent from my GT-S5360

Related

3g on Blackstone - Would this work?

Has anyone tried or know if it would be possible to replace the current antenna in the Blackstone to a USA capable 3G antenna? If so, what would the cost be? I would think that hardware would be easy to replace, no?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466660&highlight=3g+united+states
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=457418&highlight=3g+united+states
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466660&highlight=3g+united+states
and many, many more. try and use the search function.
I've read those posts, what I was asking was would it be possible to physically replace the antenna hardware with a US 3G antenna.
phongdto said:
I've read those posts, what I was asking was would it be possible to physically replace the antenna hardware with a US 3G antenna.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not the antenna you want to replace, it's the modulator/demodulator chip that is flashed with the correct ucode. which is about 1/4 size of your pinky nail. and is soldered on. you need mad skills to do this at home. i would say the same if you do it at a professional lab (ie. with all the pro equipments other than a soldering iron).
that or
you can locate the correct ucode, and the tools (cables, terminals), and flash the existing modulator chip yourself.
the antenna itself is already tuned to 850 MHz frequency.
buggybug0 said:
it's not the antenna you want to replace, it's the modulator/demodulator chip. which is about 1/4 size of your pinky nail. and is soldered on. you need mad skills to do this at home. i would say the same if you do it at a professional lab (ie. with all the pro equipments other than a soldering iron)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We should start a pool (babey even a poll):
If someone could figure out a solution, I'd be willing to pay $500 and donate my G1 to the cause (to transfer the 3G chip that HTC obviusly supports)
Both my soldering skills and my programmin skill suck.
Anyone up to the challenge?
I cant donate $500 but i could donate something to someone that gets 3G working with us frequencies.
buggybug0 said:
it's not the antenna you want to replace, it's the modulator/demodulator chip that is flashed with the correct ucode. which is about 1/4 size of your pinky nail. and is soldered on. you need mad skills to do this at home. i would say the same if you do it at a professional lab (ie. with all the pro equipments other than a soldering iron).
that or
you can locate the correct ucode, and the tools (cables, terminals), and flash the existing modulator chip yourself.
the antenna itself is already tuned to 850 MHz frequency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi buggybug0, you are not telling the whole story again, eh?
I'm not sure what component you are referring to, but I don't think Qualcomm RF ICs are programmable in the way you mention. Same with the main SoC IC, there's a lot of stuff on one crystal, but everything is controlled either by pins wiring or programmatically. Both OS and radio firmware are stored in external flash. In other words, I believe there shouldn't be any flashable memory in RF IC. Am I wrong in my conclusions? If you can give us a hint regarding the IC you are referring to, it may help finding a solution to this problem.
As per discussions in Diamond (and Raphael) thread, relevant ICs, PCBs and antennas are the same on the units that do and do not support US UMTS bands. This is likely to be the case for HD too, if HTC ever releases an NA version. Some ICs (other than flash) are programmable and can even be programmed without special tools. If one of them is responsible for band selection, then the "ucode" you are referring to is all we need to make this happen.
Cheers!
Help us out here buggy.
i think it is risky to do things like this. it could toast your phone. wait for any tweaks that dont touch your components.
wow, thanks for the clear explanation. although it is way too technical for me, it gives me hope that one day this bad boy with rule the world of devices.

Thoughts on [email protected]?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/google-announces-android-at-home-framework/
I understand this is a bit off topic (not directly Evo related), but I thought I'd still throw this out there because it may help me. I am working on a competitive analysis report in home automation and wanted to see if anyone had thoughts on this technology. With the announcement of [email protected], this went straight to the top of the list.
Do you think developers are excited to get their hands on this technology? Google mentions the creation of an alarm app that slowly turns the lights on to wake you up, etc. Although the company I just started working for is a few years ahead of Google in this aspect, the robustness and amount of resources available to Google has us wanting to keep a close eye on them.
I personally think that they do have potential here with these ideas, but it would require a lot of effort which they may or may not be willing to do.
I am by no means an expert in this field but what I do think Google's role in this field will be a large one. Having a big name in that arena can help propel smart home technologies in a way that is beneficial to all companies that are in sector.
I think at the end what they will bring is unity just how they did in the smart phone arena.
I'd be all for it. The more things I can eliminate and replace with my phone (which is a must-have anyway), the better.
My question is is Sony going to team up with Google Sony wanted to do this with the ps3 before it came out but I don't think it worked out so well or they cut that idea out of the plan lol
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I am in full support of it...I love the idea and concept.
This epic reply brought to you by none other than my roxx'd out Evo.
I'd like to see this come to fruition, but I'm also intersted in what microsoft is doing with home automation. They have some pretty cool ideas that they are working with.
I could definitely see something like this being a benefit. A novel, but not entirely surprising, idea for more control / automation. +Tasker support and this could pwn.
Enviado desde mi PC36100 utilizando XDA Premium de la aplicación
teh roxxorz said:
I am in full support of it...I love the idea and concept.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree with you. I have been thinking of some great use cases that may be possible with this technology.
I like this technology idea, however I don't think it should be limited to just Android but should include iOS/Windows, etc.. and be an open spec. I think there are a few things that are stunting this technology growth which I will go over here in this long sleepy thread, which was the only one I could find on XDA in search. This highlights my first point very well.
1. Interest:
There is simply not enough interest for this technology that could be so amazingly cool. First people have to be interested in smartphones and then they also have to be interested in home automation. I have been ever since I've head of Gates's "smart house" and even before then when many of these ideas were covered in sci-fi flicks of the past.
2. Price and Practicality:
Let's face it, anyone who wants home automation right now will pay through the nose for it. This will also lock out many, I mean why pay money to turn on a light remotely when you can just walk over there and do it yourself. What practical purpose does it serve? The disabled is an obvious market that would benefit from such technology but generally most things I see for the disabled cost an arm and a leg because I think they expect people to gouge their insurance companies for the cash.
3. Implementation:
Most people are idiots and can't even figure out how to wire in a light socket, let alone a smart one where you can adjust it remotely from thousands of miles away. They would have to hire a contractor to install/upgrade things/run any wire (more secure than wireless,) etc... which also costs that money thing.
4. Fragmentation:
There are already quite a few competing technologies for home automation. x10 is probably one of the more obvious ones. That's why I say it shouldn't be [email protected], it should be [email protected] or something like that and work across as many mobile devices/computers as possible.
Why am I writing this now? Yesterday my space heater shorted out on me, so at the moment I'm using my dad's spare to keep warm. I'd like to shut it on and off when I'm not at home, specifically to turn it on 30 minutes to an hour before I get home so it's not absolutely frigid when I do. I can't find any home automated space heaters online, anywhere. These should be a thing.
Why here? I love XDA, more specifically I love the people who are developers. If an open standard were to be developed where anyone could modify hardware to work with it I'd expect you guys to come up with the most amazing stuff, especially on the phone/controller end. Also I'm hoping that when this gets big enough that the mods will give mobile home automation a separate subforum as well.
Sony had wanted to do this a long time ago I don't really seeing this going anywhere as dude above said most people can't figure half their crap out nor want to drop money in their house if everything works
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
I know cost is a bit high but I work with a supplier in this field. Name is Crestron with an app in market https://market.android.com/details?id=com.crestron.mobile.android.free that already does controllers and systems that work within a home. I work in audio visual in regards to these systems that can be controlled with a phone or touch panel. Pretty cool stuffs.
Sent from my EVO
Can you explain the difference between free and pro (for $100!) Just wondering.
There is also autom8 but the server is for windows and I use linux :/
It would be nice if there was a complete list of apps/information on this somewhere.
I haven't specifically looked at the paid vs free Creston apps, but in order for you to use the app you need to first own a Creston system. And per the point made earlier, cost is definitely a limiting factor. $100 for the app is nothing compared to the system. A good whole home Creston automation system (excluding their low end prodigy line) would probably run you over $100k. There are cheaper options out there, but cost is still a big issue which is exaggerated by the fragmentation of the industry.
I have not heard much more about Androids home automation system since the initial announcements. Since then apple has also made plans to enter the arena. Many companies have tried in the past...like ibm...but most fail. Goggle has already suspended it's energy division which is closely related to automation. It will be interesting to watch this market grow as I'm sure it will...
Yeah I remember at Google IO all the lights and stuff they showed off and said a company(forget who exactly) would have some out in the later year but this obviously never happened.
Regardless to do automation you have to change out a ton of things in the home and it gets costly like others have said. Prolly the cheapest is getting stuff like zwave devices switches and controling stuff that route.
I looked into crestron here but it was deff costly. Wouldn't be the 10k you said since my home isn't huge but it was not cheap in the very least still.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Yes, super expensive. But some times you can piece together the systems to get a result you'd love. Guy I work with got the main control unit for 200 bucks. Sounds expensive but its typically a ton more than that lol. Having the Ethernet version of the controller allows him to use his home network and his EVO to send out these commands like turn on tv and at same time turn on surround sound. Or when dvd player is turned on also turn on tv and dim the lights. Just little things like that.
Sent from my EVO
I think they would be do to the fact that we always want one remote for everything rather then the 4 I have now. I think they will come out with alot of things that will be pretty cool.

[Q] Repurposing Older Android Phones

I've got several older Android phones that I've retired from use and are now collecting dust in my closet.
I'd like to use these units as something other than a cell phone (or a paper weight). I'd like to disable the cellular network component and use the phone either as a music player, or as a satellite enabled GPS receiver.
Are there any custom ROMs for this? While I can get these devices functioning as described above, however whenever they are rebooted I get the "new phone" messages looking for service providers, or complaining that the device is missing the SIMM card.
Thanks in advance for relevant information. Don't flame me TOO badly if I'm being tragically unhip and noobish w/this request.
Idk if its much help but I use my old Droid x for a camera and games. I got past the activation screen by pressing the 4 corners on the screen around the android guy. If I'm not explaining it well you can find it on Google by searching for something like using Android phone without activating.
Sent from my DROID RAZR
portsample said:
I've got several older Android phones that I've retired from use and are now collecting dust in my closet.
I'd like to use these units as something other than a cell phone (or a paper weight). I'd like to disable the cellular network component and use the phone either as a music player, or as a satellite enabled GPS receiver.
Are there any custom ROMs for this? ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think it's possible, but it will depend entirely on the device and its support within the community. Search the forum for your device(s) and determine if it can be "rooted" first. Most can, although what you can do beyond that will often depend on how popular the device was. The device forum will have advice on what to do to get the functionality you want.
Good luck!
Why not stick a large memory card inside and use it for torrents?
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A
Android for Autism.
It's something to look into if you're the generous type.
Supersonic Evo 4G | MIUI | Tapatalk
Thanks for the responses.
Ideally I was planning on using the audio player in my car, something that would boot up into the standard phone desktop and skip the "Where's my SIMM card? Where's my carrier??" device panic.
Same for the GPS unit.
The devices are a G1 and an older Motorola Droid, the G1 is rooted but not the Droid yet. Thanks again.
Repurpose old android
A couple of ideas that I like are using the phone as a bit-torrent device, or maybe as a pirate box. But one idea I like a lot and would love to hear something from the developers is about a device on Kickstarter called Twine (I can't post links yet so you will have to look it up), how hard would it be to use old android devices in this same fashion?
I went through the same thought process for my old HTC Hero. Currently, I have CM7.2 installed on it (because it runs smoother and has plenty of options to potentially reduce unneeded battery use) and I keep it clean and in airplane mode. Even that alone allows me to get some pretty good battery life on it to go towards being used as a music player and as a backup device for geocaching.
That in mind, I'd say finding the most barebones ROM will do the trick for you. Or find the newest fully developed version of CM for each device and use that.
you could try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2644588
Follow the link I posted, you would be surprised how much you have to disable/freeze before it stops complaining.
Some processes you can not disable unless you are rooted.
____________________
Sent from my Nexus 7 (and you care why?)
torikorocks said:
Idk if its much help but I use my old Droid x for a camera and games. I got past the activation screen by pressing the 4 corners on the screen around the android guy. If I'm not explaining it well you can find it on Google by searching for something like using Android phone without activating.
Sent from my DROID RAZR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This does not work on all phones....
Really liked your tutorial video! Thank you!
Do you have to resurrect this thread from 2012?

evice suggestions for demonstration of JTAG benefits

I tried to get some help in the Q&A section, but it appears this is more technical/hardware seeking question than just generic "which phone" thread.
I have been suggested Samsung Galaxy Spica/i5700 by boofman (thank you), but the device is cost prohibitive.
I would very much appreciate anyone's suggestion.
I am planning a presentation to demonstrate the benefits of JTAG for data recovery on embedded systems. The audience has approx. 12th grade education, but higher than average computer understanding.
I have most of the equipment already, including a uLINK2, Bus Blaster, and Raspberry Pi for the UART-to-USB, and OpenOCD for the software.
What I am missing is the simplest cell phone (or other inexpensive embedded device) to make the demonstration.
I would like to connect to the device and list the devices on the JTAG chain, and recover the data from them.
What cell phone brand and model would work well for this presentation?
I would need to know the JTAG points, have access to the data sheets of the onboard chips, and since it is out of my own pocket, I hope to get the phones on eBay for a low price.
Any suggestions are welcome.
huperetes said:
I tried to get some help in the Q&A section, but it appears this is more technical/hardware seeking question than just generic "which phone" thread.
I have been suggested Samsung Galaxy Spica/i5700 by boofman (thank you), but the device is cost prohibitive.
I would very much appreciate anyone's suggestion.
I am planning a presentation to demonstrate the benefits of JTAG for data recovery on embedded systems. The audience has approx. 12th grade education, but higher than average computer understanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd be surprised what kids know these days.
huperetes said:
I have most of the equipment already, including a uLINK2, Bus Blaster, and Raspberry Pi for the UART-to-USB, and OpenOCD for the software.
What I am missing is the simplest cell phone (or other inexpensive embedded device) to make the demonstration.
I would like to connect to the device and list the devices on the JTAG chain, and recover the data from them.
What cell phone brand and model would work well for this presentation?
I would need to know the JTAG points, have access to the data sheets of the onboard chips, and since it is out of my own pocket, I hope to get the phones on eBay for a low price.
Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out gsm-forum, under the hardware repair section.
Googling for jtag pins and your phone model number usually works for me. I'd assume you might have to wait a little bit for brand new devices, unless you feel like scoping the pins to find out which is which or hope their labeled.
These individuals are not kids. :fingers-crossed:
Excellent resource at the other site. Thanks!
But, I think I do not think I made myself clear regarding what I am looking for:crying:. I am not looking for info on how to JTAG a specific phone.
I am looking for 3 or 4 of the same model of cell phone that
I can pick up on eBay or similar for reasonable price (<$30/phone),
the JTAG TAP is known on the motherboard, and
it would be a bonus if the JTAG command set was known (besides the basic requirement).
This would allow me to make test run on one of the phones, then demonstrate the use of JTAG on the others.
The Samsung Galaxy Spica is a good phone, but I do not have the budget at $100+/phone. I need to find something cheaper. It does not need to be fancy telephone, or even smart phone - just have sufficient JTAG documentation.
If anyone has any ideas on what to use for this demo, I am still in need of a good idea.
You can look into any of the older HTC phones for this. I think that would be your best bet. I've done plenty of hardware repair, disassembling, reassambling, flashing, etc... on Android, & non-Android phones, & from my experience, the older HTC phones are the best. Specifically, concentrate on the GSM ones, such as for T-Mobile. Look into HTC myTouch 3G Slide (awesome little thing) , HTC G2 (one of the best keyboard phones ever), myTouch 4g, myTouch 4G Slide (overheating, self-destructing piece of crap), even the HD2 & the HD7. These are all devices that you can get for around $30 or so with a cracked, but still working digitizer, or some other kind of problem. Screens & other parts for them are very cheap as well.
Also, these are all known to RIFF Box. Look it up. You can do JTAG repair with these, & RIFF Box have all the JTAG ports labeled & documented. They might have some of the documentation right on their site, but I'm not totally sure. Anyway, check it out & see. I think this will be exactly what you're looking for.
Excellent! Thank you very much.
I have looked at looked at many commercial products, including RIFF Box. I narrowed the selections down the RIFF and ORT, but they are both very expensive for demonstration purposes.
I do love the fact that one can buy "jigs", "clips" or "adapters" (names change depending on vendors) which removes the soldering requirements for some of the phones. Except, these are still very expensive. :cyclops:
Again, thanks. I will look into these.
3ndymion218 said:
You can look into any of the older HTC phones for this. I think that would be your best bet. I've done plenty of hardware repair, disassembling, reassambling, flashing, etc... on Android, & non-Android phones, & from my experience, the older HTC phones are the best. Specifically, concentrate on the GSM ones, such as for T-Mobile. Look into HTC myTouch 3G Slide (awesome little thing) , HTC G2 (one of the best keyboard phones ever), myTouch 4g, myTouch 4G Slide (overheating, self-destructing piece of crap), even the HD2 & the HD7. These are all devices that you can get for around $30 or so with a cracked, but still working digitizer, or some other kind of problem. Screens & other parts for them are very cheap as well.
Also, these are all known to RIFF Box. Look it up. You can do JTAG repair with these, & RIFF Box have all the JTAG ports labeled & documented. They might have some of the documentation right on their site, but I'm not totally sure. Anyway, check it out & see. I think this will be exactly what you're looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd go with Galaxy S 1 as it's really cool to work on and relatively well documented and demonstration on such stuff always looks well. But if you want something low-budget. I've seen JTAG pads on Nokia E50'ish stuff. Or try with some Samsung S3000's, these are pretty cheap. But I don't know how's JTAG there.
as @3ndymion218 told you , search old HTc .. also some Samsung that I think cheap could help too .
Samsung F480 , F490 , U700 , U900 etc ... some news Corby model also .. I think cheap .
I could help if you were near to me . I have 3 phones that I could offer you ...
Thank you for the further info.
Definitely will try to track down the HTC and Nokia information.
Samsung is a bit pricy as you said, but maybe down the road.
Again, thank you all!

JTAG, JTAG, what do I need to rip this baby apart?

Hello,
been digging in the "fun" world of buying a JTAG. Jeeez.... Loads and NOT cheap....
What do you guys and gals use?
I looked at so many different ones and I don't know really what to buy here to get some more insight in the hardware.
Saw there are USB-Jtags but does that work with the phones?
Google came with Segger? They had an "edu" price that was in the range of accessible.
Saw this one as well: "Riffbox - Best in the Galaxy!". Sounds...uhm... yeah right.
Or is it really good and they just have the worlds worst marketing director?
The Segger seemed more general purpose?
Saw there are some variants that doesn't need welding but I guess you must. Schematics?
Of course it would be great if it worked for a Raspberry as well so I could automate my house like the master of the world!
And I need one again. I think I found my golden road in life, but I don't want to throw away 1k Euro on something worthless but listen to you who
have experience.
Because I really want is to have a way to plug something into the phone and read out the secrets it possesses
I mean, E-Fuse data, doesn't that just sound like you HAVE to get?
Please. Can you give me some advice here? :fingers-crossed:
/Absie

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