It used to be simple to take a wire that had the wrong plug and solder a different connector type onto it. DIN Plugs, Loudspeaker plugs, Phono plugs...the list goes on.
I decided to take a quick peek at the ins and outs of a Lightning connector on a phone.
It is way more complicated. Both ends of a simple wire connector need circuits to make them work properly.
There's security (ie so that only authorised devices can communicate). There's MSV(Multiple Supply Voltage) circuits to ensure that the right current gets through. If you split the signal to provide analogue sound (to headphones) then there's a digital signal processor. Plus watchdog circuits for timing and other errors such as overheating.
Add some memory for the EEPROM to make it all function, a simple microprocessor, some basic voltage stabilisation circuits and and what used to be a 'wire' become an intelligent device in its own right.
I't made me wonder about the discussions of state-sponsored hacks into systems, like that recent suggestion about hacking 5G telecoms.
I'm guessing that some of these little EEPROM circuits could be another way to create a 'leaky' circuit to transmit data too? And if the circuit is built right into the cable - and reprogrammable - who'd even know?
No comments:
Post a Comment