Fast PCB Studio

IC unlock Services

IC Unlock Services

We will unlock your IC sample. You will receive IC program in Bin / Hex file for  burning any new ICs:

  • 2 New IC Samples burnt and delivered to you for testing           (100% refund if the samples do not pass the test)
  • Bin or Hex file extracted submission

*IC sample will be decapped and will not be in work condition after IC unlock.

Why IC Unlock

IC Unlock is to read out the IC programming code from the programmable ICs. Bin / Hex code will be obtain, then used to copy on new ICs, therefore may the new board functioning the same as the sample board. 

*We could continuely reverse Hex/ Bin code to assembler code. However, the assembler code will not be able to further reverse engineer to source code, due to readability reason. 

Service Details

1. Capability

    Unlockable Models include AT / STM / STC / PIC / TMS / Lattice / ProASIC3 / DSP56 / AUCD / PAL & More

2. Service Content
    IC program extract (file extracted will be in machine code, e.g. Bin/Hex file, not in programmable language )

3. Pricing
    Please send accurate IC model for quotation

4. Service flow

  •     Shipping samples to FAST PCB STUDIO
  •     50% initial payment to start the project
  •     IC unlock work starts after sample & initial payment receival
  •     IC unlock work completion, sending proof of work (2 new IC samples)
  •     Final 50% payment receival after customer testing
  •     Submit IC code extracted
  •     Project closed

IC Unlock Q&A

  • Q1: How much to do IC Unlock?
  • A1: IC Unlock price ranges very different. It mainly depends on the IC model.
  • Q2: Does deposit require for IC Unlock?
  • A2: Yes. We will have the costs once start the IC Unlock work. Sometimes, it requires more cost if we need to rent labs for some special equipment from the third party, e.g. FIB equipment.
  • Q3: Why the price is high than quotation when the IC is received?
  • A3:  There normally will be the 3 reasons listed below:

a. IC Model incorrect while quoting. E.g Customer provided the IC model AT89C51, but the IC received is AT89C51RC. The cost is able 10 times than than the original quote.

b. Customer’s IC foot burnt out. We have to do extra work because of it, and the work is even more than the IC Unlock itself.

c.  The Logo/model of the IC is not correct. It’s very abnormal but it happens. Sometime the coder may change the logo/model on the IC on purpose as well to increase the difficulty of IC Unlock work. We will advise the customer for this case before continue the work.


  • Q4: What is file customer could obtain once the IC Unlock done?
  • A4: The customer is able to receive a Binary file, and it’s the usable file after program code file compiling. The file is able to burn into IC through programmer to enable IC in working condition. Reverse compiling tool is needed, if customer expects to obtain assembler code file. 
  • Q5: Is IC returnable after IC Unlock?
  • A5:  Very sorry but the IC is not returnable. IC cap has been opened after IC Unlock, and there will be the traces of our work & technology applied exposed from the IC. These info are confidential to us.
  • Q6: How long it takes for a IC Unlock?
  • A6: A regular IC Unlock takes 10-50 mins. But since we have to rent the lab from third party for DECAP & FIB, we schedule all the IC Unlock works on a regular basis.
  • Q7: How do I know that the IC Unlock is completed successfully?
  • A7:  We will send you 1-2 pieces programmed sample IC for your testing. The file will be issued to you once the payment is settled.
  • Q8: What is the rate for IC Unlock with Fast PCB Studio?
  • A8: For common IC, we are able to complete IC Unlock 100%. For special IC, our engineers will evaluate for you case by case.

  • Q9: Is the IC re-usable after IC Unlock?
  • A9: Some ICs require FIB (Focused Ion Beam) technology with software to decode. This technology requires descapsulation, so the IC will not be usable after IC Unlock. Some IC decoding only use software, these ICs will be reusable after IC Unlock.

PCB Cloning Steps

#1 - IC Unlock
Extract the IC program 25%
#2 - PCB Reverse Engineering
Get Gerber file, BOM list & Schematics From PCB Sample 50%
#3 - PCB Prototype
Build New Boards By Using the Extract IC Program & PCB Files 75%
#4 - Testing & Debug
Check the Function of the New Board, Fix incompatibility & Debug other errors. Update New Corrections into PCB files 100%

From PCB Cloning to PCBA Re-production

    We copy the design of the PCBA your need, and extract the machine code of  IC program for the new IC duplication. We will send you 2 duplicated IC for your testing  as this stage. Shipment cost of new IC samples are not included in service charge.
               a. Shipping samples to FAST PCB STUDIO
               b. 50% initial payment to start the project (PCB RE or IC Unlock or both)
               c. PCB RE and/or IC unlock work starts after sample & initial payment receival
               d. Unlock and/or RE work completion, sending proof of work (IC samples and/or PCB PDF Schematics / Gerber screenshot)
               e. Final 50% payment receival
               f. Submit all the engineering files
               g. Close the project of IC unlock and/or PCB RE

    We will quote the PCBA for you once we obtain all the engineering files for re-production. The quotation for sampling and mass production will be available at this stage.

    The same PCBA samples will be built for testing & debug. We will send you the sample boards for your approval before MP.
               a. Quote for Prototype & Mass production
               b. 100% payment before PCBA Prototype
               c. Prototype complete. Testing & Debug, BOM / PCB file correction
               d. Sending prototypes back to customer for testing
               e. Approval of prototypes received from customer

    We will manufacture then delivery the MP of PCBA to your address.
               a.100% payment receival before mass production
               b.PCBA component sourcing + Assembly + Testing
               c.PCBA MP ready to ship out

Why Us

Fast PCB Studio  is one of the   Leading PCB Copy & IC Unlock service provider in Dongguan, China. We are dedicated to provide our clients the very reliable & cost effective Full solution for Electronic Reverse Engineering & Production.

(1) Under normal circumstances, the single-layer and double-layer board take upto 3-5 working days, the 4-6 layer board  takes  upto  7 to 12 workding days, and the 10+ layer board takes upto 12 to 15 working days. The multilayer board depends on the complexity of the circuit board;
(2) We have strong R&D  resources  and strong R&D support team in Beijing and Shenzhen, and we have our own talent training  tutorial from experienced PCB reverse engineered  in Shenzhen, which ensures 100% accuracy of PCB copy board;
(3) “To create a win-win situation with customers” is always our principle for  cooperation. Based on your specific requirements, we will  provide the most reasonable quotes in very short time, and would help to evaluate the cases from your pictures or samples  free of charge.

*We are   capable to generate the documents in various format with additional charge. In gerneral, we use software   Protel99/Se. 

We not only focus on advanced technology, but also carry out quality management of the entire PCB production process, including excellent product design, high-quality materials, suitable equipment, mature production processes, skilled production personnel, and strict and meticulous inspection, storage, packaging and so on.

We have the strong networks for electronic products from reverse engineering to productions. Our partners empowered us to provide the full solutions  for  PCB copy, PCBdesign & Modification, prototype error fixing, IC decryption (As known as IC Unlock or IC Crack), IC procurement, high-precision  board production with state of art SMT  facilitise, PCB assembly testing (Including BGA X-ray testing)  and  turnkey services. We could also provide design for products according to customer requirements, including the re-design / modification for the development of the existing product on function improvement and technical optimization in some fields.

We support our customers the after-sell services for all the designs and the productions from us. 

Disclaimer: The use of our reverse engineering technologies is strictly limited within legal purposes, e.g. reproduce PCB artworks for old or obsolete printed circuit boards where the original is no longer available, PCB & Design tutorial or research and etc. Fast PCB Studio would not be responsible for any legal disputes for any inappropriate use of our technology on commercial competition, patent duplication or other prohibited use of reverse engineering technology by local laws.

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