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  • HardBreak - Hardware Hacking Wiki
  • Introduction
    • How to start
    • Methodology
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      • General Case Study
  • Hardware Hacking
    • Introduction
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          • Soldering Tools
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            • Saleae Logic Analyzer
          • Open-Source Tools
            • Bus Pirate v3.6
            • Bus Pirate 5
            • GoodFET
          • Multimeters & Oscilloscopes
          • JTAG and SWD Debuggers
            • Segger JLink
            • TI CC-Debugger
          • UART-to-TTL adapter
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            • Xgecu T56
        • Software Tools
          • Binwalk
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          • flashrom
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          • OpenOCD
          • Mitmrouter
      • Common Hardware Components
      • Firmware Extraction Methods
      • Ethics
    • Reconnaissance
      • Closed device
        • OSINT (search the web)
        • USB Ports / SD-card
      • Opened device
        • Board Analysis
    • Interface Interaction
      • UART
        • Identify UART
        • Connect to UART
        • Extract Firmware using UART
      • I2C
      • SPI
        • Extract Firmware using SPI
      • JTAG/SWD
        • JTAG
          • Identify JTAG
        • SWD
        • Extract Firmware using JTAG/SWD
      • VE.Direct
    • Bypassing Security
      • Voltage Glitching
        • Example: LPC1768
      • Electromagnetic Fault Injection
    • Analyze Firmware
  • Network Analysis
    • Introduction
    • Reconnaissance
    • Protocols
      • WIFI
        • WEP
        • Deauthentication Attacks
      • Application Layer
        • Proprietary Protocols
          • Parrot Anafi Drone Reverse Engineering
        • MQTT
        • CoAP
        • Web Sockets
  • Radio Hacking
    • Introduction
    • Reconnaissance
    • Protocols
      • NFC
      • RFID
    • Tools
      • RF Signal Analyzers
        • RTL-SDR
        • HackRF
      • Flipper Zero
        • NFC
        • Sub-GHz
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  1. Radio Hacking
  2. Tools

RF Signal Analyzers

Theory

RF Signal Analyzers are essential tools for analyzing and measuring radio frequency (RF) signals, often used in wireless communication systems, IoT devices, and hardware security testing. They allow hardware pentesters to capture, analyze, and decode RF signals for reverse engineering, interference detection, or vulnerability exploitation.

Key concepts and functions:

  • Frequency Spectrum

    • RF signal analyzers scan and visualize signals over a range of frequencies, typically between a few kHz and several GHz, depending on the device's capabilities.

  • Modulation

    • RF signals are often modulated, meaning that they carry information using various modulation schemes like AM, FM, QAM, etc. Analyzers decode these modulations to interpret the transmitted data.

  • Spectrum Analysis

    • They use a superheterodyne receiver to mix incoming signals with a known local oscillator signal, allowing the device to display frequency content and power levels in real-time.

Usage

  • Signal Capture

    • RF signal analyzers capture and measure wireless signals, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other RF communication protocols.

  • Frequency Analysis

    • These tools measure frequency, bandwidth, modulation, and power levels of RF signals, providing valuable insight into communication patterns.

  • Reverse Engineering

    • RF analyzers are used to reverse engineer proprietary RF protocols, allowing for potential exploitation or testing of wireless vulnerabilities.

  • Interference Detection

    • They help detect unwanted signals or interference that may disrupt or compromise communication.

Models:

  • Entry-Level

    • RTL-SDR(<$15) : supports sub 1 GHZ signals, can only record not send

  • Mid-Range

    • Flipper Zero ($200): RF capabilities (capture and send), including RFID and NFC testing

  • High-End

    • HackRF One ($350): supports wide range of radio signals

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Last updated 7 months ago

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