Inside a Berlin Workspace: A Space for RF, Security, and Hacking

Meet Mehdi Asgari, an engineering manager from Berlin who combines his love for electronics with years of experience in software and hardware security. He’s been reading Elektor for years and has set up a small, well-organized home workspace where he works on testing, reverse engineering, and RF projects.

What is your current occupation?
I am an Engineering Manager at an automotive startup in Berlin, directing IT, Security, and also the infrastructure (cloud and networking) teams. My team's focus covers the entire stack (ECU, firmware, networking, cloud, mobile app, ...). I've been working in software security for 15 years, but my hobby since I was 13 has been electronics, so gradually I found the intersection of my hobby and my profession, which is RF and hardware security. I believe more software people should learn hardware, and vice versa.

How would you best describe your space, and how do you use it?
It's mainly a small workspace rather than a workshop. It serves two main purposes: test and measurement, and reverse engineering. I mainly use it for electronics, RF test and measurement, and studying the boards, both for work and for personal hobbies. Occasionally, I use it for repairs as well, and sometimes for building kits/devices. I never use it for anything that makes small particles that may be harmful to my equipment (e.g., woodworking). I also don't use it for "software" work — all my studies, meetings, coding, and other work-related tasks are done on another desk.

When you designed your workspace, what were your requirements and goals?
The main goal was, of course, accessibility, pragmatism, and optimization for my use cases (I didn't even put the soldering iron on the desk initially because it doesn't get used as frequently as test & measurement devices). I also had to think and plan when choosing and buying tools because my space is limited (the desk area is 140 cm × 70 cm, which is not particularly big).
 

Tell us about your technical interests. What sort of projects do you work on in your workspace, and why?
I describe myself as a test-and-measurement junkie. I love measurements and comparisons. Whenever I get a new device or tool, I try to test its adherence to datasheet specifications. In the past, I used to do a lot of ham radio–related projects. I also work on security (reverse engineering and analysis of hardware and wireless devices). I am interested in robotics as well, but haven’t entered that space yet.

What sort of equipment and tools do you have in your space?
Many tools. I have a soldering iron, hot air station, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, VNA, signal generator, power supply, digital microscope, RF equipment (e.g., power meter, switches, attenuators, etc.), hardware security tools (e.g., fault injection, multi-tools for debugging protocols, etc.), electronics measurement tools (e.g., Joulescope), etc. I store the most important ones and the ones I frequently use on the desk. The rest are stored in drawers and component boxes.

What do you consider to be your most important or valued piece of equipment or tool?
It's impossible to say. In RF analysis and tests, it's my spectrum analyzers and SDRs. In hardware and electronics projects, it's my power supply, Joulescope, and also multi-tools (like Tigard). I don’t think any tool is used as frequently as simple tools like screwdrivers, and for that reason, I use the highest-quality screwdrivers that I can get. At the end of the day, the tool that fixes your problem is the best tool (regardless of brand or price).

Is there anything special or unique about your space?
I think maybe one of the things that might be unique is my thoughtful and deliberate attempt at saving precious desk space (I have already posted about it on my X (Twitter)). Actually, it’s my pinned post!). When you don’t have a huge workshop with multiple large or deep desks, you have to be thoughtful and selective with your tools and their placement. For example, I use many small tools (e.g., USB-based instruments). I found the smallest bench power supply in its class.

Are you planning anything new for your space?
I am playing with the idea of fixing some mobile or camera arm to support video recording, potentially for some videos I’d like to record. I also need to think about cable management. I think the rest is in good enough condition for my current use case. I may also change my tabletop and use something a bit wider (my current desk is 140 × 70 cm. I may replace it with 140 × 80. It doesn’t sound like much, but it makes a real difference). Currently, I have everything that I need. Maybe a real-time spectrum analyzer that goes up to 15 GHz and a better VNA would be next for me :)

Tell us about your favorite electronics-related project.
I’m not building that much. I’m more into hacking, testing, and reverse engineering. It’s mostly hacking a few scripts here and connecting a few tools there, and voilà! When I was younger, I used to build lots of kits, and I still love some of them. One that comes to mind is when I was around 14 and couldn’t afford a power supply, so I built one using used components and put it into an enclosure. That lasted me for years! One of the recent things I built that I remember is PicoEMP (an electromagnetic fault injection tool).
 

Are you currently working on an electronics or programming project? 
Yes, I am working on a 15 GHz RF signal generator based on the LMX2594 chipset. I want to turn it into a proper signal generator for my lab. I’m also trying to build a micro and macro photography setup for very small things (e.g., decapped chipsets). This requires a few things, like a camera rail, special lenses, tubes, and adapters to connect to the camera. I am also working on a course on wireless hacking, but can’t share details yet :)
 

Do you have a dream project or something you'd love to tackle?
I’d like to get into robotics and 3D printing. I also need to build my macro photography setup for IC die inspection. For robotics, I’m thinking about two projects: one is a fighter robot, the other is a humanoid or arm that can actually do something useful in my home. One of my dream projects is to build more accessible test and measurement tools for hobbyists or small startups that can’t afford expensive tools (like a spectrum analyzer or signal generator that’s better than current entry-level ones, but still relatively affordable).
 

Do you have any advice, tips, or encouragement for other engineers or makers who are thinking of putting together a workspace?
As I wrote in my pinned post on X (Twitter), don’t aim for perfection, and overcome your OCD. Good enough now is better than perfect in an imaginary future. Start with what you have and what you can afford. Try not to compromise on long-term tools (e.g., screwdrivers or multimeters), but also don’t think that you need the best to start. Often, we overestimate what’s needed to begin.