FAQ

 

Which areas do you work in?

McMaster consulting offers a mix of embedded security and embedded engineering services. We specialize in advanced embedded work requiring multiple domains, deep hardware knowledge, or advanced tools. Sample projects below.

Embedded security and reverse engineering

  • Embedded firmware recovery

  • Differential power analysis (DPA) countermeasure evaluation

  • Integrated Circuit (IC) decapping, photography, and delayering

  • Laser fault injection

  • Microprobing

  • USB packet analysis and implementation

Embedded engineering

  • FPGA Verilog (Ex: Xilinx 7 Series, Microsemi RTSX)

  • Electronics radiation testing

  • COTS SSD/flash storage design and implementation

  • Small PCB design (Altium Designer, KiCAD)

What equipment do you have in house?

We have a comprehensive suite of equipment to rapidly evaluate embedded devices at both the PCB and chip level. We also contract out as needed (ex: FIB work).

Microscope

  • Optical microscope w/ BF, polarizers, DIC, DF

  • S​canning electron microscope (SEM)

  • Infrared microscope

  • Confocal microscope

Misc semiconductor

  • Laser probe station

  • Parallel lapping

  • Digital x-ray machine

Test equipment

  • Oscilloscopes (1 GHz Agilent, Picoscope, etc)

  • 1 GHz current probes

  • Keithley 22 bit (6.5 digit) DMMs

  • Comprehensive device programmer inventory: BP Microsystems, Xeltex, etc

Radiation

  • Gamma spectroscopy: detectors, calibration sources, lead castle

  • Neutron detectors

  • Programmable lab supplies up to 20 kV

Additionally the following may be available:

  • Ball bonder​

  • SEM EDS (elemental analysis)

  • Reactive ion etching (RIE)

Any other questions?

Above is only a small representation of our capabilities. If you have a more specialized need, please inquire.

 
 
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