If such a breakout device as is proposed here was available, installed on your router for under $20, would you be interested?
Yes
75%
[ 3 ]
No
25%
[ 1 ]
Total Votes : 4
Author
Message
jdownj DD-WRT Novice
Joined: 27 Nov 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Florida
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 23:27 Post subject: Broadcom Datasheets/Giant Project
So... After searching the net high and low, datasheets on Broadcom chipsets just dont exist apparently, at least to the hobbyist. Is there any project out there that attempts to reverse-engineer any of the relevant chips in any way? A partial pinout?
I understand that my project has crossed the line from economically sound to somewhere between "why" and "because i (think I) can", but my intention is to fab a small pcb to "sandwich" between the Broadcom chip and the WRT mainboard to break out some of the signals that we are currently denied access to.
I know there is USB in there after reading a post a few days ago, and that is obviously a high priority, but addition address line to max ram and flash are available, as many of the newer models are missing at least 1. My question is, if we are unable to locate pinouts, what else is in there for us to look for? More GPIOs maybe?
It is apparent that the datasheets are under NDA of some variety, and thus, has anyone heard of a hobbyist or small company(LLC) succesfully navigating this process? Or would my proposed product violate the NDA just by existing?
Progress Update:
I have begun to attempt to gather more hardware for the reverse-engineering effort, and I am seeking donations and low-price sales of BROKEN WRT and other Broadcom based routers. I have begun teardown of a few V5/V7s that I had hanging around. Burned out the element in the hot air gun, so I am waiting on another one.
I have created a wiki to post and document progress. Ultimatly I would love to merge such content into the DD-WRT wiki, but the work that I will be doing is likely to be very image-intensive, and I would like opinions and official OK before I unload that kind of traffic on a server that doesn't belong to me.
Anybody want a BCM5354? Got a few on the way here for experimenting. Need to look at the PCB for a router that implements the USB included in the 5534, If somebody has any pointers on a cheap one or a broken one. _________________ The WRT Documentation Project Wiki
Currently testing DD-WRT on:
Ubiquiti RouterStation
(2x)WRT54GS V5
Progress Update:
Significant changes to the Wiki. I ask that anyone who has 5 minutes please try to read the main page to understand what I am trying to do here.
Zerx-
Permission to integrate data from your USB thread mod into the wiki? Looks like a big help! Can you post the specs of the ESD diodes that you used? I want to write it up into a proper howto after testing on my GL _________________ The WRT Documentation Project Wiki
Currently testing DD-WRT on:
Ubiquiti RouterStation
(2x)WRT54GS V5
Dark_Shadow-
Thanks. I'm reading your wiki and learning a lot.
I have a variety of Broadcom SOCs on the way here. I really need to learn Chinese, there are so many sources and opportunities for an electronics hobbyist. I'm working on a RAM mod on a GV8, and waiting for the first routers for teardown. I tore apart a GV5 the other day, but my impatience bit me in the rear, I lifted the chip without it getting hot enough and lifted a few traces with it. _________________ The WRT Documentation Project Wiki
Currently testing DD-WRT on:
Ubiquiti RouterStation
(2x)WRT54GS V5