Firmware Update Payload Segmentation for Power-Constrained Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) flash images are cumbersome to install in information handling systems due to their monolithic nature, which complicates firmware updates and does not efficiently manage power requirements based on battery health.
Innovation Solution
A method for applying firmware updates by disaggregating payloads into multiple modules, where the power required for each update is determined based on the payload size, application speed, power consumption, and battery health, allowing for selective and efficient updating of individual components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If BIOS flash images are applied as monolithic payloads, then the firmware update process is simplified, but the installation becomes cumbersome and power management becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monolithic BIOS flash image into multiple separate payloads, each representing a distinct firmware component. This segmentation allows selective updating of individual components based on power availability and system requirements, transforming the cumbersome single-step process into a manageable multi-component update system.
2Device complexity
If the entire firmware update is applied at once, then the update process is simpler to manage, but power consumption becomes unmanageable and may cause denial of service attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power threshold evaluation that adjusts the update process based on real-time battery health and power availability. The system continuously monitors power levels and dynamically determines which payloads can be safely applied, preventing power exhaustion attacks and ensuring updates only proceed when sufficient power is available.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the firmware into separate payloads with individual power requirements, the system can selectively apply only those updates that fit within available power thresholds, rather than requiring the entire firmware suite to be updated simultaneously.
3Reliability
If all firmware payloads are updated, then complete system functionality is ensured, but power requirements may exceed battery capacity causing update failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial updates by selecting and applying only those firmware payloads that can be successfully installed within the available power capacity. Rather than requiring complete firmware updates, the system performs partial updates with individual payloads, ensuring reliability within power constraints while maintaining essential system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of power threshold evaluation from a fixed value to a dynamic value based on battery health and available power capacity. This allows the firmware update process to adapt to varying power conditions, ensuring that updates are applied only when power requirements can be met.
4Productivity
If firmware updates are performed without power verification, then the update process is faster, but the system becomes vulnerable to denial of service attacks and power-related failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary power verification and battery health checks before initiating the firmware update process. By evaluating power thresholds and battery capacity in advance, the system ensures that sufficient power is available before committing to the update, preventing power-related failures and security vulnerabilities while maintaining efficient update execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Applying a firmware update, including: receiving a firmware update package, the firmware update package including multiple payloads and a firmware update duration map; verifying an integrity of the firmware update duration map, and in response, extracting the firmware update duration map from the firmware update package; determining, at a first time, a first power required to apply a first payload of the firmware update package based at least on the firmware update duration map and a health of a battery; comparing a current power capacity of the battery with the first power required to apply the first payload of the firmware update package; determining that the current power capacity of the battery is greater than the first power required to apply the first payload, and in response: obtaining the first payload of the firmware update package; updating firmware by applying the first payload to the firmware.