Master-Slave MCU Firmware Boot via Shared Flash Chip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In complex systems with multiple MCUs, the traditional method of using separate Flash chips for each MCU results in resource wastage, increased circuit complexity, and higher costs due to underutilization of storage space.
Innovation Solution
A firmware boot implementation method where one MCU acts as a master and the others as slaves, with the master MCU connected to a Flash chip, allowing it to power on, read firmware data, and distribute it to the slave MCUs, maximizing resource utilization and reducing costs by sharing a single Flash chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each MCU is mounted with a separate Flash chip, then each MCU can independently access firmware, but the system experiences resource waste, increased circuit complexity, and higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple slave MCUs share a single Flash chip through the master MCU, merging what would traditionally be separate storage resources into a shared resource pool. The master MCU acts as an intermediary that manages firmware distribution to multiple slaves, reducing the total number of Flash chips needed while maintaining reliable firmware access for all MCUs
Solution Approach 2:
The master MCU serves multiple functions: it boots from the Flash chip like a traditional MCU, and simultaneously acts as a firmware distributor to multiple slave MCUs. This multi-functionality allows a single Flash chip to serve multiple MCUs, reducing circuit complexity while maintaining system reliability
2Reliability
If each MCU is mounted with a separate Flash chip, then each MCU has dedicated storage, but the storage space utilization is low and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated Flash chip resources into a single shared Flash chip that serves multiple MCUs. The master MCU manages firmware distribution to slave MCUs, ensuring that storage space is efficiently utilized across the system while maintaining reliable firmware availability for all MCUs
Solution Approach 2:
The single Flash chip performs multiple functions by serving the master MCU directly and serving multiple slave MCUs through the master MCU's firmware distribution mechanism. This universal usage maximizes storage space utilization while maintaining firmware storage reliability
3Ease of operation
If each MCU is mounted with a separate Flash chip, then firmware can be loaded independently, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple Flash chip components into a single shared Flash chip that serves the entire MCU system. The master MCU manages firmware distribution to slave MCUs, reducing the quantity of Flash chips needed while maintaining the ability to load firmware independently for each MCU through the shared resource
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a firmware boot implementation method based on Flash chip simulation, the method comprising: when there are at least two MCUs, one of the MCUs is selected as a master MCU and each remaining MCU is as slave MCU which is connected with the master MCU respectively, and the master MCU is connected with a Flash chip; when the master MCU is started, the master MCU is started by reading firmware data in the Flash chip; when the slave MCU is started, the master MCU controls the slave MCU to be powered on, and the slave MCU sends a request for reading the firmware data to the master MCU; the master MCU transmits the request to the Flash chip, and transmits the firmware data returned by the Flash chip to the slave MCU, so as to start the slave MCU.