Controller Image Delta Extraction for Faster ECU Software Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating software in controllers, such as ECUs, are inefficient due to the need to download and install entire software images, which consume significant bandwidth and processing resources, and can lead to delays and memory issues, especially when controllers are outdated or have malware vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
The use of delta files, which represent the differences between software versions, allows for efficient software updates by transmitting only the necessary changes, enabling faster and more reliable updates by constructing image files based on these delta files and flashing them over a communication bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entire software images are downloaded and installed for controller updates, then complete software updates are achieved, but bandwidth consumption and processing resources are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the software update process into segments: extracting a base image, generating a delta file containing only the differences between versions, and transmitting only the delta file. This segmentation allows complete software updates to be achieved while minimizing bandwidth consumption by transmitting only the necessary changes rather than entire software images.
2Reliability
If entire software images are downloaded for controller updates, then complete software updates are achieved, but update time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software update into extracting a base image, generating a delta file with only the differences, and applying the delta file. This segmentation dramatically reduces update time by transmitting and processing only the changed portions rather than entire software images, while still achieving complete software updates.
3Reliability
If multiple software images are downloaded for multiple version updates, then all updates are applied, but memory space requirements and processing complexity are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update process to use a base image combined with delta files representing differences between versions. This approach requires storing only one base image and multiple small delta files rather than multiple complete software images, significantly reducing memory space requirements while maintaining the ability to apply multiple version updates.
4Loss of energy
If delta files are used for software updates, then bandwidth and processing resources are reduced, but update process complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that automatically performs the complex tasks of extracting base images, generating delta files, and managing update distributions. This intermediary handles the computational complexity of delta generation, simplifying the client-side process to receiving and applying delta files, thus reducing overall system complexity despite the sophisticated update mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are techniques for efficiently providing controller data as part of a maintenance or update process. Techniques include receiving, from a first remote computing device, a message associated with at least one controller; extracting, based on the received message, an image of software associated with the at least one controller; accessing, based on the extracted image, a delta file; and transmitting the accessed delta file to a second remote computing device.