Method for managing configuration data of electronic component and electronic component

Abstract

The invention provides a method for managing configuration data of an electronic component, the electronic component comprises more than one storage area and a zone bit, each storage area stores the configuration data for one application, and the method comprises the following steps: responding to access to the configuration data of the electronic component, the flag bit guides the access to the storage area to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit; calling the configuration data which is guided to the storage area; detecting whether the called configuration data succeeds or not in a preset mode; in response to detecting that the called configuration data is successful, the electronic component is successfully converted to the application corresponding to the configuration data. Electronic components are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a technology for managing configuration data of electronic components. Background Art

[0002] Microelectronic or electronic components such as chips usually include configuration data. The configuration data is the basis for the operation of the product and is generally pre-written by a diagnostic tool. In one case, for example, when the product is to be used in a new project, the configuration data needs to be modified. It is necessary to provide a feasible way to process the configuration data in this or similar cases. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a method for managing configuration data of an electronic component, where the electronic component includes more than one storage area and also includes a flag bit. Each of the storage areas stores configuration data for one application. The method includes: in response to an access to the configuration data of the electronic component, guiding the access to the storage area to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit by the flag bit; calling the configuration data in the guided storage area; detecting whether the call to the configuration data is successful by a preset method; in response to a successful call to the configuration data, the electronic component successfully switches to the application corresponding to the configuration data.

[0004] According to the method of the present application, optionally or additionally, it further includes: when receiving a flag bit setting signal from the outside, changing the flag bit to the value indicated by the signal.

[0005] According to the method of the present application, optionally or additionally, detecting whether the call to the configuration data is successful by a preset method includes: detecting whether the electronic component can send a preset CAN message; if the electronic component can send the preset CAN message, the call to the configuration data is successful; if the electronic component cannot send the preset CAN message, the call to the configuration data is not successful.

[0006] According to the method of the present application, optionally or additionally, detecting whether the call to the configuration data is successful by a preset method includes: connecting the electronic component to a preset tool; if the electronic component can connect to the preset tool, the call to the configuration data is successful; if the electronic component cannot connect to the preset tool, the call to the configuration data is not successful.

[0007] According to the method of the present application, optionally or additionally, the electronic component is a sample of a vehicle-mounted electronic component, and the application refers to the type of the sample. The sample types include, for example, Class C samples, Class D samples, etc.

[0008] According to the method of the present application, optionally or additionally, the electronic component includes a first storage area and a second storage area. Configuration data for a first application is stored in the first storage area, and configuration data for a second application is stored in the second storage area. In response to an access to the configuration data of the electronic component, the access to the storage area is guided to the corresponding storage area according to the value of a flag bit, including: in response to an access to the configuration data of the electronic component, the access is guided by the flag bit set in the electronic component to the storage area identified by the value of the flag bit in the first storage area and the second storage area.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided an electronic component, which includes: more than one storage area, each of the storage areas is set to store configuration data for an application; a flag bit, the value of the flag bit is configurable, and each value corresponds to one of the storage areas, and the flag bit is used to guide the access to the storage area to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit.

[0010] The electronic component, optionally, includes two storage areas, where: a first storage area is set to store configuration data for a first application; a second storage area is set to store configuration data for a second application; and a flag bit is used to guide the access to the storage area to the first storage area or the second storage area according to the value of the flag bit.

[0011] The electronic component, optionally, is set to send a preset CAN message when calling the configuration data of the corresponding application when switching from any one of the first application and the second application to the other.

[0012] The electronic component, optionally, is set to connect to a preset tool when calling the configuration data of the corresponding application when switching from any one of the first application and the second application to the other.

[0013] The electronic component, optionally, is a vehicle-mounted electronic component.

[0014] The electronic component according to an example of the present application is provided with at least two storage areas that can be used to store configuration data. Each storage area stores configuration data for an application. The electronic component also includes a flag bit for guiding the access to the configuration area to the corresponding storage area. Thus, an electronic component that was originally only used for a certain function or for a certain purpose can, when needed later, be used for another function or for another user by configuring another storage area. This enables the same electronic component to be used for other purposes without erasing the configuration data for the original function or purpose and then writing new configuration data, avoiding damage to the electronic component that may be caused by erasing the configuration data. Description of the Drawings

[0015] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings so that the present application can be more fully understood, where:

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic component according to an example of the present application;

[0017] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for managing configuration data of an electronic component according to an example of the present application;

[0018] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for managing configuration data of an electronic component according to a specific example of the present application;

[0019] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for managing configuration data of an electronic component according to another specific example of the present application. Specific Embodiments

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments described in this application document without creative efforts are covered by the protection scope of the present application.

[0021] Terms such as "first" and "second" in the specification, claims, and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order, nor to explicitly or implicitly imply relative importance or to implicitly indicate the quantity of the indicated technical features.

[0022] In the examples of the present application, the configuration data includes underlying parameters, underlying files, etc. required for the operation of the electronic component, such as Boot files and HBoot files. In the following examples of the present application, the electronic component is exemplified by, but not limited to, in-vehicle electronic components, such as components like radars and electronic controllers or the chips included therein.

[0023] In applications, there is usually such a situation that the electronic component A for Project A may be applied to Project B. In such a case, to adapt to Project B, it may be necessary to reconfigure the underlying files of the electronic component A. The usual approach is to erase the configuration data of Project A in the electronic component A and then write the configuration data required for Project B. This method has a relatively high possibility of rendering the electronic component unusable during the processing. In addition, the configuration data of Project A in the electronic component A.

[0024] An electronic component according to an example of the present application includes more than one storage area, and each storage area is configured to store configuration data for an application. The electronic component further includes a flag bit. The value of the flag bit can be set, and each value corresponds to a storage area. The access to the storage area is guided to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit. Hereinafter, an example will be given for illustration rather than limitation, taking the electronic component having two storage areas, a first storage area and a second storage area as an example.

[0025] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic component according to an example of the present application. By way of example and not limitation, the electronic component is a vehicle-mounted electronic component. The electronic component 1 includes a first storage area 10, a second storage area 12, and a flag bit 14. In actual applications, the electronic component 1 includes more devices, modules, and structures. For the sake of simplicity, the present application only shows the storage areas and the flag bit related to the solution of the present application. Here, both the first storage area and the second storage area are non-volatile storage areas, or both are respectively composed of a non-volatile memory NVM, or both are different areas of the same non-volatile memory NVM. The first storage area 10 stores configuration data for a first application, and the second storage area 12 stores configuration data for a second application.

[0026] For example, the electronic component 1 is a sample of a vehicle-mounted radar. The first application is the C sample in the sample stage of the vehicle-mounted radar, and the second application is the D sample in the sample stage of the vehicle-mounted radar. The D sample can usually be used for factory shipment. The first storage area 10 stores configuration data for the C sample. The electronic component 1 is used as the C sample of the vehicle-mounted radar. In the case of, for example, the lack of the D sample, the C sample is to be used as the D sample of the vehicle-mounted radar, but the configuration data stored in the first storage area 10 is not the configuration data of the D sample vehicle-mounted radar, and abnormalities may occur during use. According to the electronic component 1 of the example of the present application, its second storage area can store configuration data for the second application. Specifically, the second storage area can store configuration data for the D sample.

[0027] After writing the configuration data for the second application into the electronic component 1, the flag bit 14 is modified so as to guide the subsequent access to the configuration data to the configuration data of the D sample in the second storage area. The specific value of the flag bit can be set as needed. For example, when the flag bit is 1, it is used to guide the access to the configuration data in the second storage area, and when the flag bit is 0, it is used to guide the access to the configuration data in the first storage area.

[0028] The value of the flag bit 14 is configurable, that is, the value of the flag bit can be reconfigured as needed. For example, the flag bit in the above example can be reconfigured to: when the flag bit is 0, it guides the access to the first storage area, and when the flag bit is 1, it guides the access to the second storage area. The flag bit can be modified by a diagnostic tool. For example, the diagnostic tool sends a signal to the electronic component 1 to cause it to modify the value of the flag bit.

[0029] For the conversion of the application of the electronic component described above in combination with Sample C and Sample D, for an electronic component with only one storage area, it is necessary to erase the existing configuration data of Sample C and then rewrite the configuration data of Sample D, which is a cumbersome process and likely to cause component failures. According to some examples of the electronic component of the present application, two storage areas for different application configuration data are provided. Therefore, without erasing the configuration data of Sample C, the configuration data of Sample D can be directly written into the unused storage area of the storage area, and the operation is relatively simple and the possibility of failure is reduced. Moreover, the flag bit is also set to guide the access to the configuration data to the storage area for the configuration data of Sample D. In this way, the electronic component can be converted into the desired application (for example, Sample C is converted into Sample D) to work without increasing the electronic component.

[0030] According to an example of the present application, when the electronic component 1 is also set to call the configuration data of the converted application after being converted from any one of the first application and the second application to the other application, the electronic component 1 can send a preset CAN message. For example, when the electronic component 1 is used as Sample D from Sample C and calls the configuration file configured in the second storage area 12, it should be able to send a preset CAN message. If the preset CAN message can be sent correctly, it indicates that the call to the configuration data of Sample D is successful, that is, the electronic component 1 is successfully converted from its first application (Sample C) to the second application (used as Sample D). Conversely, the conversion is not successful.

[0031] According to some other examples of the present application, when the electronic component 1 is also set to call the configuration data of the converted application after being converted from any one of the first application and the second application to the other application, it can be connected to a preset tool. For example, when the electronic component 1 is used as Sample C from Sample D and calls the configuration file configured in the first storage area 10, the electronic component 1 should be able to be directly connected to a preset tool, which is, for example, STIL (Self Test Interpreter and Loder). If it can be directly connected to the preset tool, it indicates that the electronic component 1 is successfully converted from the second application (Sample D) to the first application (Sample C). Conversely, it indicates that the conversion is not successful. For example, if the electronic component 1 needs to use a SMARTCARD (smart card) to connect to the STIL tool, it indicates that the conversion is not successful.

[0032] It should be noted that the above detection methods for determining whether the conversion is successful are only examples, not limitations, and other detection methods that conform to the application scenario are also possible.

[0033] Figure 2FIG. 0 is a flowchart of a method for managing electronic component configuration data according to an example of the present application. Here, the electronic component is configured to include more than one storage area and a flag bit, and each storage area is set to store configuration data for an application. The following will be described in conjunction with Figure 1 the electronic component shown Figure 2 the method shown.

[0034] In step S100, in response to an access to the electronic component configuration data, the access is directed to the corresponding storage area by the flag bit, where the value of the flag bit corresponds to the storage area. Specifically, different values of the flag bit lead to different storage areas.

[0035] The electronic component includes more than one storage area and also includes a flag bit, and each storage area is set to store configuration data for an application. The electronic component is, for example, the electronic component 1 described above in conjunction with Figure 1 and includes a first storage area 10 and a second storage area 12. The first storage area 10 stores the configuration data of the first application, and the second storage area 12 stores the configuration data of the second application. Different values of the flag bit 14 correspond to different storage areas. By way of example and not limitation, the flag bit being 1 corresponds to the second storage area and the flag bit being 0 corresponds to the first storage area. After the electronic component 1 receives an access signal to the configuration data, the access is directed to the storage area corresponding to the value of the flag bit 14 by the flag bit 14.

[0036] If the electronic component 1 is to be switched from the first application to the second application, the configuration data stored in the storage area corresponding to the second application should be called, which is the configuration data in the second storage area in this example; if the electronic component 1 is to be switched from the second application to the first application, the configuration data stored in the storage area corresponding to the first application should be called, which is the configuration data in the first storage area in this example. For example, when using the C sample of the electronic component 1 as the D sample and calling the configuration data of the D sample, at this time, the flag bit 14 should be set to direct the call to the second storage area for D.

[0037] In step S102, the configuration data in the storage area to which the call is directed is called. After the flag bit of the electronic component directs the access to the configuration data to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit, the configuration data stored in that storage area can be called. For example, the flag bit 14 directs the access to the second storage area 12 for the configuration data of the D sample according to its value being 1. Thus, the calling program calls the configuration data of the D sample in the second storage area 12. If the configuration data of the D sample is to be called and the value of the flag bit 14 is 0, which directs the call to the first storage area 10 for storing the configuration data of the C sample, one possible situation is that the configuration data of the C sample is called according to the direction and run based on it; another possible situation is that the call fails and the electronic component 1 does not run temporarily.

[0038] In step S104, it is detected by a preset method whether the call to the configuration data is successful. According to some examples of the present application, it is determined whether the call to the configuration data is successful by detecting whether the electronic component can send a preset CAN message. If the electronic component can send the preset CAN message, the call is successful; if the electronic component cannot send the preset CAN message, the call is unsuccessful. According to other examples of the present application, it is determined whether the call to the configuration data is successful by detecting whether the electronic component can connect to a preset tool. If the electronic component can directly connect to the preset tool, the call is successful; if the electronic component cannot directly connect to the preset tool, the call is successful.

[0039] In step S106, in response to detecting a successful call to the configuration data, the electronic component is successfully converted to another application. For example, the electronic component is used as sample D instead of sample C. After calling the configuration data, the electronic device determines that it can operate normally through the detection by the preset method, indicating that the conversion is successful. Corresponding to the example of step S104, the fact that the electronic component can send the preset CAN message indicates that the configuration data can operate normally and the conversion is successful; or, in other examples, the fact that the electronic component can connect to the preset tool indicates that the configuration data can operate normally and the conversion is successful.

[0040] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of a method for managing configuration data of an electronic component according to a specific example of the present application. In this example, the electronic component is Figure 1 of the shown structure, which is exemplarily a sample of a vehicle-mounted component. The first application is to use the electronic component 1 as sample C, and the second application is to use the electronic component 1 as sample D. Among them, the configuration data for using the electronic component 1 as sample C has been set in the first storage area 10. This specific example is to convert the electronic component 1 from being used as sample C to being used as sample D.

[0041] In step S400, according to requirements, the configuration data for sample D is written into the second storage area 12. For example, to use sample C as sample D, the Hboot file of sample C is in the first storage area 10, and the Hboot file of sample D is written into the second storage area 12.

[0042] In step S402, the value of the flag bit is set to guide the access to the configuration file to the second storage area 12 so that the electronic component is used as sample D. This can be implemented by sending a configuration signal through an external diagnostic tool. According to the examples of the present application, both the first storage area and the second storage area are non-volatile storage areas and can be set as a hardware security module HSM. The memory for setting the flag bit, such as a register, is also a non-volatile memory and is set as a hardware security module.

[0043] The electronic component 1 determines whether the power-on reset is successful, as shown in step S404. If the power-on reset is successful, it proceeds to step S406; otherwise, it proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the electronic component 1 still operates based on the original configuration file.

[0044] In step S406, the electronic component 1 checks the value of the flag bit and determines the storage area to be guided accordingly. For example, the Boot manager of the electronic component 1 determines the storage area in the electronic component 1 to be called based on the value of the flag bit, thereby guiding the access to this storage area to call the Hboot file stored in this storage area. In this example, it is guided to the second storage area 12 by the flag bit to call the Hboot file as the D sample configuration file.

[0045] In step S407, it is determined whether the electronic component 1 can send a preset CAN message to determine whether the call to the configuration file is successful. When the electronic component 1 can send a preset CAN message, it indicates that the call to the configuration file is successful, that is, the conversion to the D sample is successful, as shown in step S409. If the electronic component 1 cannot send a preset CAN message, it indicates that the conversion is not successful. In this case, it can return to step S400 to re-execute this method. Additionally, if possible, a prompt indicating that the conversion is not successful can be issued. For example, if the Hboot file of the D sample is successfully called and the electronic component 1 can send a preset CAN message, then the D sample starts successfully.

[0046] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for managing the configuration data of an electronic component according to another specific example of the present application, which is the same as the Figure 3 specific example shown, and is to convert the electronic component 1 from being used as a C sample to being used as a D sample, with the difference being that the preset method for detecting the success of the conversion is different.

[0047] In step S500, according to requirements, the configuration data for the D sample is written into the second storage area 12. For example, to use the C sample as the D sample, the Hboot file of the C sample is in the first storage area 10, and the Hboot file of the D sample is written into the second storage area 12.

[0048] In step S502, the value of the flag bit is set to the value that will guide the access to the configuration file to the second storage area 12. This setting can be achieved by sending a configuration signal through an external diagnostic tool.

[0049] The electronic component 1 determines whether the power-on reset is successful. If it is, it proceeds to step S506; otherwise, it proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the electronic component 1 still operates based on the original configuration data.

[0050] In step S506, the electronic component 1 checks the value of the flag bit and determines the storage area to be guided accordingly. For example, the Boot manager of the electronic component 1 determines the storage area in the electronic component 1 to be called according to the value of the flag bit, thereby guiding the access to the storage area to call the Hboot file stored in the storage area. In this example, the flag bit guides to the second storage area 12 to call the Hboot file as the D sample configuration file.

[0051] In step S507, it is determined whether the electronic component 1 can be connected to a preset tool to determine whether the call to the configuration data is successful. When the electronic component 1 can be directly connected to the preset tool, it indicates that the call is successful, that is, the conversion to another application is successful, as shown in step S509. On the contrary, it means that it is not successful. In the case of failure, the process can return to step S500 to re-execute this method, or in some other cases, a prompt indicating that the conversion is not successful can be issued. According to this application, if the electronic component 1 can be automatically connected to the preset tool without additional tools, it indicates that the D sample starts successfully. The preset file is, for example, a STIL file. If the electronic component 1 needs an additional smart card to connect to the STIL file, it means that the conversion is not successful.

[0052] Here, although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the principles of the present application, it should be understood that the embodiments and their features can be combined with each other without conflict to achieve a new implementation manner, and such an implementation manner should be included in the scope claimed by the present application. In addition, the present application can also be implemented in other ways that do not deviate from the spirit of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for managing configuration data of an electronic component, characterized in that, the electronic component includes a flag bit and more than one storage area, and each of the storage areas is set to store configuration data for one application, and the method includes: in response to an access to the configuration data of the electronic component, guiding the access to the storage area to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit by the flag bit; invoking the configuration data in the guided storage area; detecting whether the invocation of the configuration data is successful by a preset method; in response to a successful invocation of the configuration data, the electronic component is converted to the application corresponding to the invoked configuration data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the flag bit is configurable, and the method further includes: when receiving a flag bit setting signal from the outside, changing the flag bit to the value indicated by the signal.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, detecting whether the invocation of the configuration data is successful by a preset method includes: detecting whether the electronic component can send a preset CAN message; if the electronic component can send a preset CAN message, the invocation of the configuration data is successful; if the electronic component cannot send a preset CAN message, the invocation of the configuration data is not successful.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, detecting whether the invocation of the configuration data is successful by a preset method includes: connecting the electronic component to a preset tool; if the electronic component can connect to the preset tool, the invocation of the configuration data is successful; if the electronic component cannot connect to the preset tool, the invocation of the configuration data is not successful.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the electronic component is a sample of a vehicle-mounted electronic component, and the application refers to the type of the sample.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the electronic component includes a first storage area and a second storage area, the configuration data for the first application is stored in the first storage area, and the configuration data for the second application is stored in the second storage area. In response to an access to the configuration data of the electronic component, guiding the access to the storage area to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit includes: in response to an access to the configuration data of the electronic component, guiding the access to the storage area identified by the value of the flag bit in the first storage area and the second storage area by the flag bit.

7. An electronic component, characterized in that, the electronic component includes: more than one storage area, and each of the storage areas is set to store configuration data for one application; a flag bit, the value of the flag bit is configurable, and the flag bit is used to guide the access to the storage area to the corresponding storage area according to the value of the flag bit.

8. The electronic component according to claim 7, characterized in that, the electronic component includes two storage areas, wherein: a first storage area, set to store configuration data for the first application; a second storage area, set to store configuration data for the second application; and A flag bit, which is used to direct access to the storage area to the first storage area or the second storage area according to the value of the flag bit.

9. The electronic component according to claim 8, wherein, when the electronic component is set to switch from any one of the first application and the second application to the other, a preset CAN message can be sent when calling the configuration data of the corresponding application.

10. The electronic component according to claim 8, wherein, when the electronic component is set to switch from any one of the first application and the second application to the other, it can be connected to a preset tool when calling the configuration data of the corresponding application.

11. The electronic component according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, the electronic component is a vehicle-mounted electronic component.

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