Finish this proof:

1. All closed-source binary-only firmware BLOBs suck.

2. The software for the A111 radar part is supplied as a closed-source binary-only firmware BLOB.

3. Therefore, it follows that ______________

When I first saw this part and noticed that it used an SPI interface, I was pretty psyched.  SPI interfaces are easy and supported everywhere.  Then I agreed to Acconeer's license so I could download their software to try the part out.  It turns out that they don't document the SPI interface at all, but merely provide pre-compiled code that interfaces with the part.  The license agreement allows me to distribute a binary containing their drivers as long as I license it to end users under an agreement at least as restrictive as the one I agreed to (at least I think it says that - don't rely on my opinion here).

So, OK, I won't use their software (except maybe to initially test the PCB).  But, in their agreement, it says I can't reverse-engineer the part (as pointed out in the comments below - I can't reverse engineer the software, but having signed the agreement, this practically means the part, too).  So, trying to figure out the SPI protocol/commands is off limits.  If I had just bought the part and slapped it on the PCB, I could have hacked away at the protocol to see if I could get it to do anything.  But, having signed the agreement, I don't think I can do that anymore.

So, this project may just end up being a breakout PCB for the part, without any useful software of my own.  You could still use it with Acconeer's software (assuming you agree to their terms).  On the positive side, it should cost less than $20, as opposed to $250 for the two development kit boards you would otherwise need to purchase from Acconeer.  In that sense, it will be a success if it works, but the software situation is still quite disappointing.

I've attached their software license agreement in its entirety below.

This is all garbage - it's a chip, people - sell me the part and tell me how to program it - don't go full Microsoft with this paranoid licensing nonsense!

SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT LIMITED LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR ACCONEER MATERIALS IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY: This Limited License Agreement ("LLA") is made between you (either an individual person or a single legal entity, who will be referred to in this LLA as "You" or “Licensee”) and Acconeer AB, a company incorporated under the laws of Sweden (hereinafter “ACCONEER”) for the software licensed materials that accompany this LLA, including any associated media, printed materials and electronic documentation (the "Licensed Materials"). The Licensed Materials include any software updates and supplements, that Acconeer may provide You or make available to You after the date You obtain the Licensed Materials to the extent that such items are not accompanied by a separate license agreement or other terms of use. 1. LIMITED LICENSE Subject to the terms and conditions of this LLA and applicable Open Source Terms (as defined hereafter) and during the term of this LLA, ACCONEER hereby grants You under intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to ACCONEER, a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free, copyright license, without the right to sub-license (except as expressly stipulated herein or authorized in writing by an authorized representative of ACCONEER), to use and reproduce the Licensed Materials in object code solely and exclusively with ACCONEER chipsets or integrated circuits as applicable (“ACCONEER Chipsets”) for incorporation in a Licensee Product (as defined hereinafter) and subsequent distribution directly or indirectly of said Licensee Product provided that the software part of Licensed Material executes solely and exclusively on, or in conjunction with ACCONEER Chipset in Licensee Product (“Limited License Purpose”).   To the extent the Licensed Materials are made available to You in source code and subject to the terms and conditions of this LLA, ACCONEER hereby grants You under intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to ACCONEER during the term of this LLA a non-exclusive, royalty-free, nontransferable copyright license, without the right to sublicense (except as expressly stipulated herein or authorized in writing by an authorized representative of ACCONEER), to use, reproduce and modify the source code form of the Licensed Materials and compile such modified source code into new object code, for the Limited License Purpose only.   Subject to the terms and conditions of this LLA, You will be authorized to sub-license the Licensed Materials and derivative works thereof in object code solely as part of your software or hardware application (“Licensee Product”) and not as a stand-alone product for the Limited License Purpose only. 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Upon request, You shall provide ACCONEER with requested contact information of your customers.   Subject to the terms and conditions of this LLA, ACCONEER hereby grants You under intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to ACCONEER, a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free, copyright license without the right to sub-license (except as expressly stipulated herein or authorized in writing by an authorized representative of ACCONEER), to use the Licensed Materials made available as comments, annotations, instructions, manuals, and other materials, whether in printed or electronic form, including without limitation installation manuals, user’s guides, and programmer guides (“Documentation”) solely to support and exercise the rights granted under this article 1 and to copy, modify and/or create derivative works from the Documentation – e.g. by creating technically accurate subsets and by translating it into other languages or otherwise creating technically accurate localized versions thereof – and distributing such Licensee documentation only with Licensee Product.   You acknowledge that the Licensed Materials have not been specifically designed to meet Your individual requirements and that You have all information necessary to evaluate whether the Licensed Materials meet your requirements or not, will be suitable for your intended use or application and substantially comply with the Documentation. Therefore the Licensed Materials shall be deemed accepted upon delivery to Licensee. You shall use, at your own risk, the Licensed Materials and any development that is obtained from such use. You acknowledge that ACCONEER cannot in any way be held responsible for the consequences resulting from use of the Licensed Materials and any development made following such use of the Licensed Materials. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, You are not authorized to sublicense to or have used the Licensed Materials by a competitor of ACCONEER. 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RESTRICTIONS AND ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS Unless otherwise expressly stipulated under Article 1, You shall not, and shall not permit any third party to: (i) copy, reproduce or duplicate the Licensed Materials; (ii) translate, modify, adapt, decompile, disassemble or reverse engineer and make derivative works of (any portion of) the Licensed Materials; (iii) rent, disclose, publish, sell, assign, lease, lend, sublicense, market, transfer, distribute or otherwise provide third parties access to (any portion of) the Licensed Materials for any purpose; (iv) attempt to derive the source code, algorithmic nature or structure of any object code portions of the Licensed Materials; (v) use the Licensed Materials to create any product that competes with the Licensed Materials; (vi) remove or circumvent any protection or other restrictive technology mechanism of the Licensed Materials or ACCONEER Chipsets; (vii) disclose the results of the Licensed Materials’ performance benchmarks to any third party; or (viii) otherwise use (any portion of) the Licensed Materials in any manner not expressly authorized by this LLA.   Other than the limited expressed license granted to You under Article 1 herein, no other rights or licenses are granted, or implied by estoppel or otherwise, under any intellectual property rights of ACCONEER and/or its affiliated companies or any intellectual property of a third-party residing in the Licensed Materials or any other confidential information furnished by ACCONEER, including (i) for the combination of such Licensed Materials or other confidential information with one or more other items (including items acquired from ACCONEER and/or its affiliated companies) even if such items have no substantial use other than as part of such combination (ii) with respect to any trademark, trade or brand name, a corporate name of ACCONEER and/or its affiliated companies, or any other name or mark, or contraction, abbreviation or simulation thereof, (iii) under any intellectual property rights covering any standard set by a standard setting body and any de facto standards.   Acconeer has no obligation to provide You with maintenance, support or updates for the Licensed Materials. 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You agree that You will not export, re-export Licensed Materials, directly or indirectly, to any country to the extent export to such country at the time of export requires an export license or other governmental approval under any export control laws and regulations, without first obtaining such license or approval.   Some Licensed Materials may (i) require licenses from third parties claiming intellectual property rights covering implementation of the Licensed Materials or (ii) be based on industry recognized standards or software programs published by industry recognized standards bodies and certain third parties may claim to own intellectual property rights that cover implementation of those standards. You acknowledge and agree that this LLA does not convey a license to any such third party intellectual property rights and that You are responsible for any fees or royalties payable to any third party based on such third party's interests in the Licensed Materials.   You, at your expense, shall defend and indemnify ACCONEER against any claim, action or proceeding brought against ACCONEER which arises from or is in any manner connected with your unauthorized use of the Licensed Materials or that arises from your breach of any provision of this LLA. You shall be responsible for the due and proper compliance with the terms and conditions of this LLA by your customers and shall be jointly and severally liable to ACCONEER for any and all damages incurred by ACCONEER and its suppliers and licensors in connection with any such thirdparty’s non-compliance therewith. 8. 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It may be also terminated by You at any time by destroying all Licensed Materials or by returning those to ACCONEER. ACCONEER may terminate this LLA at any time if (i) You fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this LLA, or (ii) You file litigation against ACCONEER or its affiliated companies, (iii) ACCONEER receives notice of any claim, suit or proceeding that alleges that the Licensed Materials or Your use or distribution of the Licensed Materials infringes any third-party intellectual property rights or (iv) to the extent permitted by laws, a voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy or winding up is filed against Licensee, any proceedings in insolvency or bankruptcy are instituted against Licensee, a trustee or receiver is appointed over Licensee, or any assignment is made for the benefit of creditors of Licensee. 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Nothing in this LLA shall be construed as making You an employee, agent or legal representative of ACCONEER. This LLA contains the entire and sole agreement between You and ACCONEER on the subject matter of this LLA, and supersedes all representations, undertakings and agreements previously made between You and ACCONEER and shall prevail over the terms and conditions set forth in any document from You with respect to the subject matter of this LLA. Any amendment to this LLA shall be agreed in writing and be duly signed by You and ACCONEER and shall make reference to this LLA. 11. APPLICABLE LAW This LLA is governed by the laws of Sweden, without regard to its conflict of law rules. All disputes, differences or questions arising out of or in connection with this LLA shall be finally settled by the competent courts of Malmö, Sweden. 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