Gopalakrishnan M
25. Feburary 2024 Categories: Technology,

Firmware upgrade is a process used to update firmware that is embedded in a hardware device. Firmware is software that provides low level controls for device specific hardware resources and applications for business use cases to make it intelligent. It is typically stored in a device read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory. These intelligent hardware devices in IOT are also named edge devices. Firmware upgrade is used in various industries such as Consumer, Computer and Peripheral, Industrial, Automotive and IoT devices for their smart homes, automotive, cameras etc.

Importance of Firmware Upgrade

Firmware upgrades have become more prevalent in recent days compared to earlier generations of products due to several key factors such as new features, improved performance, regulatory compliance and enhanced security. Firmware updates allow existing hardware to keep up with these advancements without needing to replace the entire device. We will look into few reasons with examples below.

Security Concerns

With the rise of the internet and the proliferation of connected devices (IoT), security has become a paramount concern. Firmware upgrades are critical for patching security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, regular updates are necessary to protect devices and user data. For example, in early 2018, two significant security vulnerabilities named Meltdown and Spectre affected nearly every modern processor. These vulnerabilities allowed malicious programs to access sensitive data stored in the memory of other programs, potentially leading to data breaches and severe security risks. As a solution processor manufacturer released microcode as upgrade for processor and operating system owners such as Microsoft, Linux and apple also released an upgrade.

Consumer Expectations

Today's consumers expect their devices to receive regular updates that improve functionality, add new features, and fix any issues. This expectation has driven manufacturers to provide more frequent firmware upgrades to meet user demands and stay competitive in the market. For example, smart home security systems require upgrades to support new devices in the market, improve user interface and experience and vulnerability patches.

Regulatory Requirements

In some industries, regulatory standards require manufacturers to provide updates to ensure the safety, security, and functionality of their products. This is particularly relevant in sectors like automotive, healthcare, and finance, where firmware updates can address compliance and safety concerns. For example, Nest Protect rolled out a firmware upgrade in 2014 to disable wave to silence feature as new regulatory compliance.

Competitive Market

The tech market is highly competitive, and companies strive to differentiate their products through continuous improvement. Regular firmware updates are a way for manufacturers to enhance product features and performance post-sale, adding value for the consumer and maintaining brand loyalty. For example, Tesla Model S Premium electric released numerous updates to keep up customer expectation on UI and critical features.

These are some of the reasons why firmware upgrade is necessary in the current competitive world. At the same time, not all products have a similar approach to firmware upgrade. Approach varies based on the type of device such as headless device or consumer device etc.

Firmware upgrade Methods

Firmware upgrade procedure/method varies across industries and use cases. For example, consumer devices like smartwatch and automotive cluster have a completely different procedure.

Smartwatch upgrade initiated by a consumer where user experience is very critical compared to automotive cluster upgrade done by an automotive expert. Each method has its own pros and cons. The choice of firmware upgrade method depends on factors such as the device’s connectivity, user environment, security requirements, and the criticality of downtime. So below are a few procedures followed in embedded product firmware upgrade.

  1. Over the air Upgrade (OTA)
  2. USB, SD Card & Local Host Upgrade

We will look into the procedures followed in these upgrades.

Over the air Upgrade (OTA)

OTA updates allow firmware to be updated wirelessly. This method is commonly used nowadays in IoT devices and smartphones.

OTA Firmware Upgrade

OTA Firmware Upgrade


It involves OEM or product owner pushing the update to cloud and edge devices downloading the firmware update over a network connection (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) and then applying the update with no or minimal downtime. Today most of the devices have network connectivity and this approach is followed.

USB, SD Card & Host Upgrade:

Firmware can be updated using removable storage media. The new firmware is placed on a USB drive or an SD card, which is then inserted into the device. The application reads the update from the storage media and upgrades the system on the next boot. For example, Nikon Z9 Mirrorless Camera follows SD card approach where user copy the upgrade file to SD card and initiate the upgrade from UI screen.

Local Firmware Upgrade

Local Firmware Upgrade


Another method is updating firmware by connecting the device to a local host, such as a PC or a smartphone, via a wired connection (USB, UART) and Wireless (BLE/WiFi/LTE). The host device sends the firmware update to the embedded device. For example, automotive ECU’s will be upgraded at service stations via USB using a custom application.

Firmware Update Best Practices

To ensure smooth and successful firmware upgrades, several Firmware Update best practices are followed

Thorough Testing: Before deploying firmware updates, extensive testing is conducted to identify and address any potential issues. This includes functional testing to ensure that new features work as intended and regression testing to verify that existing functionality remains unaffected.

Backup and Rollback Procedures: Before initiating an upgrade, it's essential to backup critical data and configurations. Additionally, having rollback procedures in place allows for reverting to the previous firmware version in case of any unforeseen issues during the upgrade process.

Gradual Deployment: Instead of rolling out firmware updates to all devices simultaneously, a gradual deployment approach is often employed. This allows for monitoring and addressing any issues that may arise in a smaller subset of devices before expanding the update to the entire fleet.

Clear Communication: Effective communication with end-users about the purpose, benefits, and potential impact of firmware upgrades is crucial. Providing clear instructions and guidance on how to perform the upgrade helps minimize confusion and ensures user participation.

Security Measures: Implementing security measures, such as code signing and encryption, helps prevent unauthorized modifications to firmware and ensures the integrity of the update process.

Version Control and Documentation: Maintaining version control of firmware releases and documenting changes and updates enables better tracking and management of firmware across different devices and versions.

Conclusion

Effective firmware upgrade approaches are key for maintaining and enhancing the functionality, security, and longevity of devices. Over-the-air updates, incremental upgrades, and robust testing procedures ensure that devices remain up to date with the latest features and security patches without requiring hardware changes. These upgrades are critical, as they address bugs, introduce new capabilities, and protect against emerging threats. In the next blog, we will look in to challenges and few key test cases for firmware upgrade testing.

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