[Defcon 17] DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

[bombnav]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

It looks a little more involved. Please spend some time in the HHV I am sure you will get your questions answered.

The cable has one of these chips in it.

http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/Da...T232R_V204.pdf

http://www.ftdichip.com/Images/ttl232rsch1.jpg

The FT232R is a USB to serial UART
interface with the following advanced
features:
• Single chip USB to asynchronous serial data
transfer interface.
• Entire USB protocol handled on the chip. No
USB specific firmware programming required.

I don't really have a lot of experience with hardware, and this confused me a bit. I thought standard TTL was 5 volts, not 3, and wikipedia claims that USB is actually native 3V. FTDI's site was actually advertising a TTL to USB shifter, which is what started my suspicion.

So, is a level shifter necessary for USB communication, or just interfacing with 5V components?

edit:
Reading the product page more closely, I find:


Is the cable just needed for converting USB signals to RS232?

[YenTheFirst]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

However, this year will require a bit more soldering skill to get it up and running and you will need a level shifter to convert the 3V TTL-level serial of the badge to RS232 or USB level.

I don't really have a lot of experience with hardware, and this confused me a bit. I thought standard TTL was 5 volts, not 3, and wikipedia claims that USB is actually native 3V. FTDI's site was actually advertising a TTL to USB shifter, which is what started my suspicion.

So, is a level shifter necessary for USB communication, or just interfacing with 5V components?

edit:
Reading the product page more closely, I find:

This version of FTDI's USB to TTL serial adapter cables has it's I/O pins configured to operate at 3.3V levels.

Is the cable just needed for converting USB signals to RS232?

[LosT]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Ahahahaha.

Aces Joe, Aces.

LosT

Nope :)

Joe

[Kingpin]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Can you give us an idea as to what pins we have available? The amount of I/O's and such would be nice to know ahead of time.

Nope :)

Joe

[martinbogo]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Those joining my HackTheBadge team will get one of these boards to help hack Kingpin's badges. The HackTheBadge can operate at 3V or 5V ( there's a buck booster on the board, converting two CR2450's at 3V up to 5V. If I change out the crystal to something slower, and reconfigure the buck booster slightly ... I can get the whole board operating at 3V )



( Shouts out to e-teknet for manufacturing this PCB with flaming record speed .. 2 day turnaround to get 'em done in time for DC17 )

[martinbogo]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Those joining my HackTheBadge team will get one of these boards to help hack Kingpin's badges... Arduino compatible even...

[0x58]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Can you give us an idea as to what pins we have available? The amount of I/O's and such would be nice to know ahead of time.

[Rover]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Looks like good fun. Thanks for the advance specs Joe!

[BonzoESC]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Heh, making us work for the black badge!

[Kingpin]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Any idea if we need to solder pins for the TTL converter to plug into?

Can't wait!

There are three solder pads on the badge (RX, TX, GND) that you'll need. I'm bringing a bunch of wirewrap wire that will be up in the HHV, if you choose to go that route.

Joe

[Kingpin]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Why oh why oh why oh why didn't you just put a USB header right on the badge? The soldering skill level of the people at con is low, but the software experience is high! And now there's not going to be enough physical parts for people?

Argh.

I've said this before and I'll say it again - the Badge Hacking Contest is not meant to be an entry level sport. Those with the skills will have no trouble getting things up and running. And those without the skills, well, they'll learn the skills as they go. It's a hacker conference and I think handing everything to people on a silver platter is a cop out and no fun at all. Each year is different and undoubtedly people will encounter various problems, but that's part of the learning process and forces people to come up with unique and clever solutions.

Joe

[bombnav]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Anyone take a look at the manual ref manual http://www.freescale.com/files/dsp/d...6RM.pdf?fpsp=1 or the 100 page data sheet... WOW I can't wait to see what Joe has cooked up for us this year.

Yes finding parts, esp free parts is what maks hardware hacking fun.

[FlyBoy2]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

Just bought two TTL-232R-3V3 from Mouser. They have about 800 in stock.

The CodeWarrior Devel is installing as we speak.

Any idea if we need to solder pins for the TTL converter to plug into?

Can't wait!

[charliex]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

People I met last year with no soldering skills were having a lot of fun just having a go at it. I think it helps open up something new for people with existing software skills who never see outside an IDE, as for parts shortage, thats part of being a hacker right ? :)

[bombnav]

Re: DC17 Badge Pre-Release Information

I am hoping it will be like last year where the parts were available for the badge (provided by Joe if I remember) and the HHV will assist people in soldering them on so they can access the inner workings of the badge. Last year it was a blast helping people solder in the mini USB connector. It appears this year it will be more of a header type that needs to be solered on.

It would make it too easy if Joe made a badge with the necessary parts on it... what fun would that be? Since the badge is now a black badge event... the bar has been raised a little bit more.

Why oh why oh why oh why didn't you just put a USB header right on the badge? The soldering skill level of the people at con is low, but the software experience is high! And now there's not going to be enough physical parts for people?

Argh.