Method and device for updating firmware program

Abstract

An upgrading device of firmware program is prepared for simultaneously storing new firmware and old firmware downloaded by firmware download processing module into flash memory, judging whether new firmware is correct or not by new firmware effectiveness detection module and loading master control program in new firmware through loading treatment module if it is or otherwise loading master control program in old firmware for realizing switch-over between load and new firmware.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the fields of data communication and industrial control, in particular to a method and device for updating firmware programs. Background technique [0002] Firmware (Firmware) is hardware with software functions. In the early days, this kind of hardware was generally EROM or EPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) with software, etc. Usually, the programs stored in these hardware cannot be stored. It is directly read or modified by the user, and it is difficult or impossible for the end user to change the firmware. Generally, there is no need to upgrade the firmware. Even if a serious error (Bug) is found in the firmware, it must be brought by a professional. Replace the EPROM on the original machine with the EPROM with the written program. [0003] Due to the progress of the current integrated circuit, the firmware of the device uses flash memory (Flash Memory for short: Flash) as the carrier, and the Flas...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] The disadvantages of this method are: firstly, the firmware needs to interrupt the normal operation of the device during the upgrade process, and the on-site operation of the operator and the use of special tools are required during the upgrade process; secondly, because only one copy of the firmware program is saved in the Flash, when When the firmware upgrade fails, the Flash must be sent to the factory for repair

[0008] The disadvantage of this method is that the normal operation of the device needs to be suspended during the firmware upgrade process, and because the bootloader function is generally relatively simple, it is impossible to use a more complicated communication interface or communication protocol to obtain new firmware, so the scope of application of this method It is usually limited to the local upgrade of the device, and the on-site operation of the operator is also required during the upgrade process; similarly, in this method, because only one firmware program is saved in the Flash, the Flash must be sent to the factory when the firmware fails to upgrade. repair

[0011] The disadvantage of this method is that if the device fails to upgrade due to abnormal termination during the upgrade process, including power cut off, network connection interruption (or failure to connect), server stop running, etc., the firmware upgrade fails. The end of the device is easy to destroy the original firmware of the device, that is, the old firmware, resulting in the device not working properly

However, the three methods mentioned above are difficult to completely avoid the failure of the device due to the failure of the firmware upgrade.

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