Embedded Firmware Updates Using Dual-Storage FOTA Staging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Embedded electronic devices with limited built-in memory space face challenges in performing full firmware updates using FOTA technology due to insufficient storage space, and existing methods require wired connections which are inconvenient in certain applications.
Innovation Solution
The firmware update procedure is divided into multiple sub-files, with a header file managing the process, allowing the update to be staged across two storage units, utilizing both the primary and secondary storage to accommodate the full update file size, ensuring completion without wired connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If FOTA technology is used to perform full firmware update, then convenience of wireless update is improved, but storage space requirement increases making it infeasible for devices with limited memory
Solution Approach 1:
The full firmware update file is divided into multiple parts (first part and second part) that can be downloaded and stored separately in available memory spaces. This segmentation allows the update to proceed with smaller individual file sizes that fit within the limited storage constraints of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a second storage unit in the sub-system module as an additional dimension for storing update files. By accessing storage resources across different storage units (primary and secondary), the system overcomes the limitation of the first storage unit's insufficient capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If wired USB connection is used for firmware update, then storage space constraint is avoided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system (USB cable and physical connection) with a wireless communication system. The firmware update is transmitted through wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical connectors and cables, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining adequate storage space through the segmentation approach.
3Reliability
If full firmware update file is downloaded at once, then update completeness is ensured, but memory space requirement exceeds device capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The complete firmware update is divided into multiple segments (first part and second part) that are downloaded and stored separately. Each segment fits within the available memory capacity of the first storage unit, while the total content remains complete when both segments are combined during the update process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by downloading and storing the first part of the update file before the second part. This staged approach allows the system to prepare update components incrementally, ensuring completeness while managing memory constraints through controlled, sequential file operations.
Data Source
AI summary
When performing full firmware update procedure on an electronic device, a full firmware update file is divided into multiple pieces of update data and then arranged into a first and a second sub update files, a header file associated with the sizes of each sub update file is created, and the header file and the two sub update files are merged into a full FOTA file before being uploaded to the electronic device. The electronic device extracts each sub update file based on the header file and stores the extracted first and second sub update file respectively into a first and a second storage units. After performing the firmware update steps associated with the first sub update file, the second sub update file stored in the second storage unit is copied to the first storage unit before performing the firmware update steps associated with the second sub update file.