A functional circuit board consists of electrical components and the electrical routing of the physical circuit board itself. Sometimes, however, it also consists of unique firmware that is programmed on programmable components. Whether you are looking to replicate the exact form, fit, and function to create a replacement circuit board, or you are looking for comprehensive documentation for a given artifact — capturing the firmware from programmable devices is an important aspect of the process. Fortunately, ScanCAD has services specifically designed to support this effort. 

ScanCAD’s solution is a logical stage-gated process designed to maximize the value and visibility and help provide the most comprehensive dataset possible. 

Step 1: IC Identification

Sometimes, components on a board may contain firmware despite a lack of being visually distinguishable from other devices. Upon intake of your board, our knowledgeable technicians will fully evaluate the populated circuit card for any and all probable IC’s that could contain firmware and generate a report listing all chips that may host firmware and merit further exploration.

Step 2: Extraction Planning

Firmware extraction is not as simple as plugging into your device and extracting code. Oftentimes, it is a very technical process. Prior to any attempted firmware extraction, our qualified professionals will create an Extraction Plan.

The Extraction Plan contains information critical to the extraction process such as:

Tooling Requirements
Programmer and Software Requirements
Probability of success
Potential Problems
I/O points
Any processes necessary to complete the extraction, such as what circuits need to be powered or shorted to make the data harvestable.
Anticipated format and file types of the extracted data.

This information will all be outlined in a report that can either be used by you to perform the extraction on your own, or can be followed by ScanCAD technicians in step 3 of our firmware extraction process.

Step 3: Firmware Extraction

Using all of the data from the previous steps in the process, ScanCAD has the ability to fully execute firmware extractions and deliver in the format outlined in our Extraction Plan.

Step 4: Analysis

ScanCAD has upped the ante one further step with our analysis offerings for extracted firmware. Our technicians will fully assess the structure and coding within the firmware for critical information; such as functionality, patent litigation or whatever concerns you may have regarding the firmware itself.

ScanCAD Gives Back

Giving back is an important part of our company vision. As a global company, bettering the lives of others is central to what makes us most excited. Because of this, ScanCAD gives a percentage of revenue to charities and mission-driven nonprofit organizations that employees are most passionate about supporting.