Reverse engineering of embedded consumer electronic systems

Cutting edge consumer electronics systems typically

rely upon embedded processors and software for a large part of

their competitive features. Developing such features is, in turn, a

costly part of the design exercise that is usually recouped through

initial high-price sales.

If competitors are able to reduce their own development

costs, and cut time-to-market through the reverse engineering of

the pioneering products, such practices will distort the market

and stifle forward progress. Unfortunately, reverse engineering

of consumer products for nefarious purposes appears to be

commonplace, with significant cost implications on industry sales

and profitability.

This paper discusses the scope of the reverse engineering

problem for consumer electronics reliant upon embedded proces-

sors, formalises the process of reverse engineering, and classifies

potential mitigation strategies