Making the DEF CON 29 Badge
Badge designers Michael and Katie Whiteley share the behind-the-scenes engineering of the DEF CON 29 badge, overcoming pandemic supply chain crises.
Summary
Designing a Hardware Badge Amidst Global Semiconductor Shortages
Creating the official DEF CON 29 electronic badge required navigating severe worldwide chip shortages, delayed silicon shipments, and manufacturing hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hardware Architecture and Artistic Concept
Michael and Katie Whiteley present the circuit design, power management constraints, and custom LED matrix hardware integrated into the badge.
Embedded Firmware and Interactive Puzzles
The creators detail the embedded microcontroller firmware, wireless communication features, and multi-stage cryptographic challenges hidden within the badge.
Lessons in Resilient Hardware Prototyping
The presentation offers valuable lessons for hardware hackers and makers on component substitutions, rapid prototyping, and embedded software testing.
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