Wireless Firmware Update Distribution via Segmented Management Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in securely and efficiently distributing firmware updates to multiple devices over a wireless network, particularly due to security concerns and the need for timely updates to prevent software vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method for file distribution over a wireless communication network involves segmenting an update package into chunks, including these chunks and an update ID in predetermined management frames, and broadcasting these frames to multiple devices. This method includes calculating a signature for the update package and transmitting it, as well as providing mechanisms for retransmitting missing chunks and managing different device types with varying update schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firmware updates are transmitted through conventional wireless methods, then devices can receive updates, but security vulnerabilities increase due to unauthorized access risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes security credentials and authentication mechanisms before the firmware update transmission begins. The access point and client devices pre-share cryptographic credentials that are used to authenticate the update package before installation, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity of the update process.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point acts as an intermediary that verifies the authenticity of firmware updates using cryptographic signatures before distributing them to client devices. This intermediary role ensures that only authenticated updates from authorized sources are installed, blocking unauthorized access while enabling legitimate updates.
2Productivity
If firmware updates are transmitted to multiple devices individually, then each device receives updates, but network airtime and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines firmware update transmissions for multiple client devices into a single broadcast message from the access point. The update package is segmented into chunks and transmitted once to all connected devices simultaneously, dramatically reducing network airtime usage and power consumption compared to individual unicast transmissions to each device.
3Reliability
If complete firmware packages are transmitted, then devices receive full updates, but transmission time and network usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware update package into multiple smaller chunks before transmission. The access point transmits only the necessary chunks to each client device based on their current firmware version, allowing devices to receive incremental updates rather than complete firmware packages, thereby reducing transmission time and network usage while maintaining update completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for file distribution. A wireless communication device determines an update ID of an update package, segments the update package into chunks, includes the chunks and update ID in predetermined management frames, and transmits the predetermined management frames to multiple devices wirelessly connected to the wireless communication device. An exemplary update package contains a file and metadata, or a firmware update binary file. In some other embodiments, a wireless communication device receives predetermined management frames, determines an update ID of the update package from the predetermined management frames, extracts chunks of the update package from the predetermined management frames, stores the chunks in a chunk buffer, and constructs the update package from the chunks. Some embodiments of the wireless communication device request one or more missing chunks by sending a frame and receive the missing chunk via direct transmission or broadcasting.