It's a cold, cut throat world out there. Designs are stolen left and right. But, how can one protect a circuit design from IP theft and reverse engineering?
I recently developed a system for a company, and they were concerned that the circuit design could easily be stolen. It was true. Just by looking at the PCB you could easily see the layout, the chips used, and component placement. Unfortunately, patenting was not an option due to several factors.
My solution: Pot the electronics. I figure, might as well make it as hard to reverse engineer as possible.
Has anyone ever de-potted any electronics, and how did it go? From my experience, it is exceedingly difficult and destroys the circuits. But perhaps I am not learned in the art of corporate espionage.
Is there another way to make it impossible to see, get at, a circuit?
Cabe
