OTA Upgrading via Data Block Segmentation for Android Image Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing OTA upgrading mechanism in Android systems is not compatible with the system image check mechanism, leading to failures in system image integrity checks due to modifications in metadata during the upgrading process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves saving system image files in data blocks, parsing OTA upgrade packages to obtain differential files, and applying patches to these blocks without modifying metadata, ensuring compatibility with the system image check mechanism and enabling concurrent upgrading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional OTA upgrading mechanism is used to upgrade system files, then the system can be updated to new version, but the metadata in the file system is modified causing system image check failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system image is segmented into data blocks with separate metadata management. The upgrade process operates on data blocks independently while preserving metadata structure, allowing incremental updates without corrupting the overall image integrity signature that the check mechanism verifies.
Solution Approach 2:
The metadata is extracted and preserved separately from the data blocks during the upgrade process. By taking out the metadata from the modification scope, the upgrade can alter data blocks while leaving metadata intact, thus maintaining compatibility with the system image check mechanism.
2Reliability
If sequential upgrading of system files is performed, then metadata consistency is maintained, but the upgrading efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the upgrade process into independent data block units that can be processed concurrently. Each data block is treated as an independent segment with its own upgrade operations, enabling parallel processing while the metadata layer maintains overall consistency through coordinated management.
Solution Approach 2:
The upgrade mechanism transitions from static sequential processing to dynamic concurrent processing. Multiple data blocks can be upgraded simultaneously through concurrent operations, with the system dynamically coordinating the operations to maintain metadata consistency across all blocks.
3Productivity
If concurrent upgrading of multiple data blocks is implemented, then upgrading speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metadata layer serves as an intermediary that coordinates concurrent upgrade operations on multiple data blocks. It manages the complexity of simultaneous operations by providing a unified interface for consistency control, allowing fast parallel processing without requiring complex coordination logic throughout the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and terminal for OTA upgrading are described. In the method, a system image file of a terminal to be upgraded is saved in the form of data blocks. The method includes: acquiring and parsing an OTA upgrade package to obtain respective differential upgrade files for the system image file; reading data blocks corresponding to respective differential upgrade files in the system image file, and performing an upgrading operation on corresponding data blocks to upgrade the system image file. Split system image files are used rather than files in a file system as data for differential comparison. Thus metadata in the file system are also included in differential data packet. After the upgrading, the image in the terminal is fully consistent with the image in a production process and does not conflict with a system check mechanism.