I have basic knowledge in electronic, programming, and some experience with Arduino and I want to join it together and start reverse engineering of hardware devices. I want to learn how devices, microprocessors communicate (eg. learn their protocols), be able to disassembly microprocessors.
My questions:
1. AFAIK I need logic analyser, should I build one using microprocessor (or Arduino) or buy some inexpensive one?
2. What other tools do I need?
3. What books, pages should I study?
4. What are the biggest pitfall here?
5. Is such RE legal in United Europe?
6. Any easy points to start?
That's not really enough. You need to understand your VLSI design well, as well as the fab process. Unless, you just want to reverse high-level stuff and never dive into reversing chips. Here's some starting points if you're already familiar with ASIC fab process: http://siliconpr0n.wikispaces.com/
1. AFAIK I need logic analyser, should I build one using microprocessor (or Arduino) or buy some inexpensive one? If you're sniffing USB or slower, Arduino might do. If you want to sniff PCI, forget about it, you'll need something faster.
2. What other tools do I need? Lots of time and money, mainly.
3. What books, pages should I study? You'll have to tell me what you already know in the fields of programming, electronics and computer engineering.
4. What are the biggest pitfall here? Accidentally flashing, burning or damaging your shit.
5. Is such RE legal in United Europe? Probably, but nobody actually gives a shit. If you're a one-man team, you can publish and upload your findings anonymously via a chain of proxy servers. If you plan on launching a product that works similarly to the original (which would obviously break your anonymity), you'll probably get sued.
6. Any easy points to start? Nope. Good luck.
If I may ask, what is the hardware that you would like to reverse engineer?