External NVM Emulates On-Chip ISP for FPGA Firmware Updates

The patent introduces an external NVM device as an intermediary component to store firmware images and system parameters. This external NVM acts as a mediator between the host processor and the FPGA, enabling ISP functionality without modifying the FPGA's internal structure. The external NVM contains an ISP manager that handles firmware updates, system parameter storage, and coordination with the host, thus achieving reliable firmware updates without increasing FPGA device complexity.

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing multiple firmware images and system parameters in the external NVM before they are needed. The ISP manager in the external NVM prepares the firmware update data in advance, validates it, and loads it into appropriate buffers or memory regions before the actual update process begins. This preliminary preparation reduces the time required during the actual firmware update operation, mitigating the speed penalty of using external NVM while maintaining broad adaptability across different FPGA devices.

The patent implements self-service through the ISP manager in the external NVM, which autonomously handles firmware update operations. The ISP manager receives firmware images from the host processor, validates their integrity using cryptographic checksums, automatically loads them into the appropriate memory regions, and coordinates the update process without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains security through automated validation while significantly improving ease of operation, as the entire update process is initiated and managed through standard communication interfaces without human involvement.