how to protect PCBs (intellectual property)?

how to protect PCBs ?

I am designing a small PCB that consists of uCs and some analog interfaces. I want to protect especially analog parts (discrete components) from being stolen. How can I protect my intellectual property on the PCB? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Laplace

Hello Laplace,

1. destroy all labels on the devices
2. mount others things around and above the devices
3. spill the pcb
4. put the pcb in a closen case

I think that's all you can do.

by,
cube007

circuit protection

Hi there,
I had this prob before thenthing a used to do were rub all the numbers off the chips so its harder to id and also any surface resisters solder them upside down thus hiding the value and then you could pot the board or cover it in potting compound. Know you can remove the potting compound with hot air and flick it off bit by bit so depending on how serious you are with your board you can put a layer of potting compound then a layer of gun powder then a layer of potting compound. This way if you try to heat the potting compound up with hot air the powerder ignites and burns the board up its does not blow up it just frazzels the board I have tryed this and it does work.

hope this helps and good luck

all the best

Manny

thats daft

electronics is about knowlage not denied circuitry

dont try to hide the schematic

instead just publish the design and copyright it with a copyright society

this way they will persue actions if needed

dont waste your time trying to protect your circuit

i can look at any circuit and tell you what it does from the print

or even with pic designs
simply connect up its i/os then copy the symantics of the program to emulate it
five mins the analyser flashes a chip you unplug plug in and off it goes
"doing the same job"

realy as above says
whats the point????

to stop someone copy your marvelious circuit
is a red rag to a bull

would take me personaly less than an hour to emulate fully or copy
by other stelth

even then
if it is a realy good design

your pals will steel it off you just as quick :roll:

how to protect PCBs ?

Hi,

just to add to Manny's points, if you can bear the extra cost, conformally coat the board. If you have had to reverse engineer/probe out such a board it is a bitch, not impossible - but only for the seriously serious.

Spit