CN110716725A - Actuator system, vehicle system, and updating method thereof - Google Patents
Actuator system, vehicle system, and updating method thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN110716725A CN110716725A CN201910616445.5A CN201910616445A CN110716725A CN 110716725 A CN110716725 A CN 110716725A CN 201910616445 A CN201910616445 A CN 201910616445A CN 110716725 A CN110716725 A CN 110716725A
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- firmware
- memory
- memory portion
- actuator system
- start address
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 22
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 259
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 claims description 36
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 16
- 230000005055 memory storage Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
- G06F8/60—Software deployment
- G06F8/65—Updates
- G06F8/654—Updates using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
- G06F8/60—Software deployment
- G06F8/65—Updates
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
- G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
- G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
- G06F9/448—Execution paradigms, e.g. implementations of programming paradigms
- G06F9/4482—Procedural
- G06F9/4484—Executing subprograms
- G06F9/4486—Formation of subprogram jump address
Abstract
The invention provides an actuator system, a vehicle system and an updating method thereof. The actuator system includes: an actuator; and a reprogrammable memory device configured to store control firmware for the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device comprising a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and a third memory portion, the first memory portion comprising a rewritable memory portion having an initial firmware start address stored thereon, the second memory portion comprising a read-only memory portion, the third memory portion comprising a writable memory portion; in the update condition of the received firmware update data, the update of the control firmware is written in the first memory section and the third memory section, and the initial firmware start address is overwritten with the start address of the firmware that is updated. The invention also provides a vehicle system and an updating method of the actuator system.
Description
[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device
The invention relates to the technical field of actuator storage, in particular to an actuator system, a vehicle system and an updating method thereof.
[ background of the invention ]
Actuators of embedded electronics of the prior art, in particular in automotive applications, where the control firmware is provided, and needs to be updated for whatever reason, present significant associated cost issues, such as gaining access to the actuator system to install replacement memory modules or in another case allowing coverable functionality using the memory in the more expensive installed actuators.
Memory devices for storing control firmware are expensive, so in order to be able to produce cost-effective actuator systems, it is preferable to provide cheaper memory solutions for embedded electronics.
Read Only Memory (ROM) is relatively inexpensive. Known actuator systems include ROM masked Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The firmware may be written directly to ROM at the time of manufacture and the actuator system installed. If a renewal is required, in which case the entire actuator system must be removed and replaced, since the ROM is not renewable.
In contrast, programmable memories are very expensive. Examples of programmable memory include Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and One Time Programmable (OTP) memory. The use of such a programmable memory allows updates to the control firmware to be implemented. However, despite simplifying the update process, the initial manufacturing cost of the actuator system increases significantly.
Accordingly, there is a need for development and improvement of existing actuator systems.
[ summary of the invention ]
To address the above issues, the present invention provides an actuator system, a vehicle system, and a method for updating the same, which can be reprogrammed while also being cost effective and easy to manufacture.
In a first aspect of the invention, an actuator system is provided. The actuator system includes: an actuator; and a reprogrammable memory device configured to store control firmware for the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device comprising a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and a third memory portion, the first memory portion comprising a rewritable memory portion having an initial firmware start address stored thereon, the second memory portion comprising a read-only memory portion, the third memory portion comprising a writable memory portion; in the update condition of the received firmware update data, the update of the control firmware is written in the first memory section and the third memory section, and the initial firmware start address is overwritten with the start address of the firmware that is updated.
The present invention provides a cost effective method of storing initial firmware that is installed with embedded electronics of an actuator while maintaining the ability to update the firmware without requiring direct physical access to the embedded electronics.
In one embodiment, the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program, the pre-programmed main firmware program being stored on the second memory portion and the initial firmware start address pointing to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
The main firmware program may be initially provided on the read-only memory portion, reducing the number of writable memory portions required, which in turn reduces the overall manufacturing cost of the actuator system.
In one embodiment, the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program stored on the third memory portion, wherein the initial firmware start address points to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
In the case where the main firmware program is not stored in the slow read-only memory portion, a processing speed advantage can be realized. Alternatively, the read-only memory portion may be created on multiple actuator systems using the same library of functions, in which case it may be preferable to install the customized main firmware program directly onto the writable memory portion for ease of manufacture.
In one embodiment, the first memory portion has a storage capacity no greater than a size required to store a single address.
Limiting the total memory requirement of a rewritable memory section is important because it is the most expensive type of memory.
In one embodiment, the second memory portion has a larger storage capacity than the third memory portion, and the third memory portion has a larger storage capacity than the first memory portion.
In one embodiment, the storage capacity of the third memory portion is in a range of 10% and 30% of the size of the storage capacity of the second memory portion. This facilitates the most cost-effective manufacture of the reprogrammable memory device.
In one embodiment, the control firmware comprises a function stored on the second memory portion, the function comprising at least one function, subroutine, program or library.
Most of the code or logic of the firmware is preferably stored in the read only memory portion, since this design does not require most of the control firmware to be modified when the firmware is updated. Thus, the modification logic can only be implemented on the writable memory portion, and the host firmware program never references out-of-date code on the read-only memory portion.
In one embodiment, the first memory portion is provided as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory; the second memory portion is provided as a mask read only memory.
EEPROM memory has the advantage of being repeatedly rewritable and, unlike flash memory, memory erasures can be handled in small blocks. For the use of small-scale rewritable memory sections, as in the present invention, the increased cost burden of providing EEPROM memory is offset by its greater effectiveness and longer lifetime compared to flash memory.
In one embodiment, the third memory portion is provided as a non-erasable memory.
The mask ROM (mask read only memory) has the advantage of being very cheaply installed as an embedded memory within the electronic device, reducing the manufacturing costs of the actuator system.
In one embodiment, the third memory portion is provided as a one-time programmable memory.
In a second aspect of the invention, an actuator system is provided. The actuation system includes: an actuator; and a reprogrammable memory device configured to store control firmware of the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device including a first memory portion including a rewritable memory portion of an initial firmware start address stored thereon and a second memory portion including a read only memory portion, the update of the control firmware being written in the first memory portion in an update condition of the received firmware update data.
In some cases it may be advantageous to unify the rewritable memory portion and the writable memory portion, for example, where many or extensive firmware updates are desired, otherwise the non-rewritable memory would be filled. Although, for example, flash memory is relatively expensive, increased manufacturing costs may be preferable to increased replacement costs of the actuator system where firmware updates are greater than expected.
In one embodiment, the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program and a function, the function being stored on the second memory portion and the initial firmware start address pointing to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
In one embodiment, the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program stored on the first memory portion, wherein the initial firmware start address points to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
The main firmware program may be provided initially on the writable memory portion, which may be more useful when the main firmware program is developed later in the manufacturing process, as this would allow for pre-installation of standard ROM components.
In one embodiment, the initial firmware start address is overwritten by an updated firmware start address in the update condition.
The ability to overwrite the firmware start address can advantageously limit the overall memory requirements of the rewritable memory portion.
In one embodiment, the first memory portion is provided as a flash memory.
Where a bulk reprogrammable memory device is desired, a more cost-effective flash memory may be used in place of the EEPROM.
In one embodiment, the second memory portion is provided as a mask read only memory.
Mask ROM is the most cost-effective form of memory used and is therefore best suited for use as the embedded memory portion of a reprogrammable memory device.
In one embodiment, the reprogrammable memory device is mounted on the actuator.
The electronics embedded in the actuator allow for the production and installation of a compact actuator into an associated system (e.g., automotive applications) as a single, easily installed module.
In one embodiment, a bus is also included that is coupled to the reprogrammable memory device, over which the firmware update data is transmittable to the reprogrammable memory device.
The use of an externally connectable bus allows the reprogrammable memory device apparatus to be reprogrammed remotely, which is particularly useful in an automotive environment where actuators may not be readily accessible. This significantly reduces the burden when updating the firmware, especially for automotive applications, since the connection can be made over a standard bus to perform the update. Overwriting the start address during each update condition advantageously minimizes the storage capacity of the rewritable memory portion.
In a third aspect of the invention, a vehicle system is provided. The vehicle system comprises at least one actuator system as described above.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of updating an actuator system as described above, characterized in that the updating method comprises the steps of: (a) communicating with a reprogrammable memory device to provide firmware update data; and (b) writing a control firmware update to the reprogrammable memory device, the control firmware update including at least an updated main firmware program and an updated firmware start address, the updated firmware start address being stored on the first memory portion.
The method of updating firmware according to the invention allows the process to be performed remotely without incurring the expense of generating a reprogrammable memory device having only reprogrammable memory.
[ description of the drawings ]
The present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1a shows a graphical representation of a memory map of a reprogrammable memory device of a first embodiment of an actuator system according to a first aspect of the present invention, in an initial pre-programmed state;
FIG. 1b shows a diagrammatic representation of the memory map of FIG. 1a in an update state after a control firmware update;
FIG. 2a shows a graphical representation of a memory map of a reprogrammable memory device of a second embodiment of an actuator system according to the first aspect of the present invention, in an initial pre-programmed state;
FIG. 2b shows a graphical representation of the memory map of FIG. 2a in an update state after a control firmware update;
FIG. 3a shows a graphical representation of a memory map of a reprogrammable memory device of a third embodiment of an actuator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in an initial pre-programmed state; and
FIG. 3b shows a graphical representation of the memory map of FIG. 3a in an update state after a control firmware update.
[ detailed description ] embodiments
The invention is further described below with reference to the figures and examples.
Actuator systems with embedded electronics include actuators adapted to provide an output drive, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for an automotive environment, such as an automotive heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit or vehicle module. The embedded electronic device preferably includes a control processor, which may be an integral part of the actuator, and is associated with a reprogrammable storage device on which the control firmware may be stored. The bus is provided with a reprogrammable memory device through which firmware update data can be transmitted to the reprogrammable memory device. An exemplary reprogrammable memory device is indicated at 10 in fig. 1a and 1b and is divided into a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, respectively: a rewritable memory portion 12, a read-only memory portion 14, and a writable memory portion 16.
The terms "rewritable", "writable", and "read-only" have many definitions in the art. In this scenario, the term "rewritable" is intended to mean a memory that can be programmed without direct physical access after installation of the embedded electronic device, regardless of whether data is already stored in the memory. This will enable rewriting of the data by first erasing the existing data and then writing the new data to the erased memory cells. The term "writable" is intended to mean a memory that can be programmed after installation of an embedded electronic device and that can be re-programmable or non-re-programmable in use; two alternative exemplary embodiments are provided below. It should therefore be understood that for some embodiments of the present invention defined below, the writable memory portion may be provided as a rewritable memory portion within the definitions provided above. The term read only memory is used herein to refer to memory that cannot be overwritten, such as a mask ROM.
Fig. 1a shows an initial or default state of the reprogrammable memory device 10 of the first embodiment. In particular embodiments, rewritable memory portion 12 comprises EEPROM memory, allowing remote electronic erasing and subsequent rewriting of content stored thereon. Preferably, rewritable memory portion 12 is large enough to store only a single address or memory locator and to indicate the starting address of the main control firmware program. At manufacture time, the firmware start address 18 is initially pre-programmed, and in particular embodiments is written here as a hexadecimal string indicating a memory location in the read only memory portion 14.
The read-only memory portion 14 may preferably be provided as a cost-effective read-only memory element, such as a mask ROM memory element. At manufacture this is pre-programmed with all pre-programmed control firmware, including the main firmware program 20 and the functions 22. While FIG. 1a shows a function 22, it should be understood that any number or type of functions, subroutines, routines, programs, or procedures may be loaded as firmware onto the ROM portion 14. The pre-programmed firmware start address 18 points to the location of the main firmware program 20.
In particular to the embodiment, the writable memory portion 16 includes OTP memory without pre-programmed data thereon. Thus, all available memory capacity may be writable in use.
To update the firmware, a connection may be established with the reprogrammable memory device 10 over an appropriate bus, which allows firmware update data to be sent thereto.
A firmware update will result in a change of the main firmware program 20, thus providing an updated main firmware program 20' and writing it to the writable memory portion 16. The storage location of the updated main firmware program 20 'can then be modified by providing the updated firmware start address 18' to the rewritable memory portion 12, preferably by overwriting the pre-programmed firmware start address 18.
The updated main firmware program 20 'may include new code, may call existing functions 22, subroutines or procedures in a different order, or may refer to updated functions 22', subroutines or procedures, as shown in FIG. 1 b. Indeed, the control firmware update may include any or all of the following: updated functions, updated subroutines, updated programs, and an updated library.
When the actuator system is activated, the updated firmware start address 18 'points to the updated main firmware program 20', which operates according to its logic. It is therefore possible to no longer use the pre-programmed main firmware program 20, nor any redundant functions 22.
The above arrangement is an optimized configuration from a cost-effective point of view. The EEPROM memory of rewritable memory portion 12 may be maintained so as to have a minimum memory storage capacity, while all pre-programmed control firmware, including pre-programmed main firmware program 20, is provided on read-only memory 14. This may represent the largest proportion of control firmware, and so the use of a suitable read only memory 14 in turn reduces the cost of the actuator system.
The size of the writable memory portion 16 may be selected accordingly. This provides a balance between cost-effectiveness and the possibility of requiring one or more updates to the control firmware. The larger the writable memory portion 16, the higher the cost of the actuator system, since writable memory, such as OTP memory, is more expensive than ROM. However, too little writable memory will risk insufficient storage capacity when updating the memory of the control firmware in the future. Thus, at least one updated main firmware program 20 'and at least one or more updated functions 22' have at least sufficient memory storage capacity. A suitable ratio of the storage capacity of the writable memory portion 16 to the storage capacity of the read-only memory portion 14 may be 10% to 30%. This can provide sufficient memory storage capacity for multiple or very large updates, if desired.
The method of updating the firmware of such an actuator system may be summarized as comprising the steps of: providing a reprogrammable memory device 10 for an actuator of an actuator system, the reprogrammable memory device 10 comprising a first memory portion having a rewritable memory portion 12, a second memory portion having a read-only memory portion 14, a third memory portion 16; pre-programming an initial state of the reprogrammable memory device 10 having pre-programmed control firmware comprising a pre-programmed main firmware program 20, at least one pre-programmed function 22, a subroutine, a program, or a library thereof, the pre-programmed control firmware being stored entirely on the second memory portion and a pre-programmed firmware start address 18 being stored on the first memory portion; communicating with the third memory portion to store a control firmware update, the control firmware update including at least an updated main firmware program 20 'to update the control firmware of the actuator and communicating with the first memory portion to store an updated firmware start address 18'.
Fig. 2a and 2b show a second embodiment of a reprogrammable memory device 110. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar parts of the foregoing embodiments, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.
The memory architecture of the reprogrammable memory apparatus 110 is substantially the same as the architecture of the reprogrammable memory apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, and includes a rewritable memory portion 112, a read-only memory portion 114, and a writable memory portion 116.
The difference here is that the functions 22, subroutines, programs, and/or libraries that control the firmware are pre-programmed into the read-only memory portion 114, but instead the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 is stored in writable memory. It will be appreciated that the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 must not occupy the full memory storage capacity of the writable memory portion 116, or else there will be no available memory, remaining in a writable state for future firmware updates.
Thus, the preprogrammed firmware start address 118 is programmed to point to the associated memory location in the writable memory portion 116, again located in the rewritable memory portion 112.
When updating firmware, the updated main firmware program 20', any updated functions 22', the updated firmware start address 118 'may be applied to point to the location of the updated firmware program 20' and written to the writable memory portion 116.
Although this arrangement may be somewhat more expensive than that described in the first embodiment, it may be computationally beneficial because of the greater use of OTP or similar memory as compared to mask ROM. Alternatively, there may be manufacturing considerations; the read only memory part 114, i.e. including the different pre-programmed main firmware programs 20, applicable to all possible actuator systems, can be mass produced, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing costs. The writable memory portion 116 may be installed in the reprogrammable memory device 110 as a custom unit for a particular task.
The method of updating the firmware of such an actuator system may be summarized as comprising the steps of: providing a reprogrammable memory device 110 for an actuator of an actuator system, the reprogrammable memory device 110 comprising a first memory portion having a rewritable memory portion 112, a second memory portion having a read-only memory portion 114, a third memory portion 116; pre-programming an initial state of the reprogrammable memory device 110 having pre-programmed control firmware comprising a pre-programmed main firmware program 20 and at least one pre-programmed function 22, subroutine, procedure or library thereof, the pre-programmed function 22, subroutine, procedure or library being stored on a second memory portion and the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 being stored on a third memory portion and a pre-programmed firmware start address 118 being stored on a first memory portion; communicating with the third memory portion to store a control firmware update, the control firmware update including at least an updated main firmware program 20 'to update the control firmware of the actuator and communicating with the first memory portion to store an updated firmware start address 118'.
Fig. 3a and 3b show a third embodiment of a reprogrammable memory device 210. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar reference parts of the previously described embodiments, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.
In this configuration, two dedicated physical storage elements are included: a flash memory element 224 and a read only memory portion 214. The flash memory element 224 has a rewritable memory portion 212 and a writable memory portion 216. As in the previous embodiment, all of the functions 22, subroutines, programs, and appropriate libraries are stored on the read-only memory portion 214.
In the initial state, the pre-programmed firmware start address 218 is stored in the rewritable memory portion 212 of the flash memory 224, and the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 is also located in the flash memory 224.
When updating the firmware, the updated main firmware program 20', any updated functions 22', the updated firmware start address 218 'may be applied to a location to point to the updated main firmware program 20', all written to the writable memory portion 216 of the flash memory 224.
Although the updated main firmware program 20' is appended to the writable memory portion 216 of the flash memory 224, it will be appreciated that since the flash memory 224 is rewritable, the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 may actually be overwritten by the updated main firmware program 20, which reduces the overall memory storage capacity requirements of the actuator system.
The method of updating the firmware of such an actuator system may be summarized as comprising the steps of: providing a reprogrammable memory device 210 for an actuator of an actuator system, the reprogrammable memory device 210 comprising a first memory portion having a rewritable memory portion 212, a second memory portion having a read-only memory portion 214, a third memory portion 216; wherein the first memory portion and the third memory portion are disposed on a single memory element 224; pre-programming an initial state of the reprogrammable memory device 210 having pre-programmed control firmware comprising a pre-programmed main firmware program 20 and at least one pre-programmed function 22, subroutine, program or library thereof, the pre-programmed function 22, subroutine, program or library being stored on the second memory portion 214, and the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 being stored on the third memory portion 216, and a pre-programmed firmware start address 218 being stored on the first memory portion; communicating with the third memory portion to store a control firmware update, the control firmware update including at least an updated main firmware program 20 'to update the control firmware of the actuator and communicating with the first memory portion to store an updated firmware start address 218'.
Although the third embodiment describes that the rewritable memory section and the writable memory section are formed as a single unit, it will be appreciated that discrete units of the same memory type, such as rewritable memory (e.g. EEPROM or flash memory), may be used for different functions without having to co-locate physical memory units.
Furthermore, a reprogrammable memory device for an actuator system may also be provided, similar to those described above, which only requires a first memory portion having a read only memory, a second memory portion, preferably a One Time Programmable (OTP) memory.
In this case, typically, the pre-programmed control firmware with the pre-programmed main firmware program is stored on the reprogrammable memory device, for example at the time of manufacturing the actuator system, more particularly but not necessarily substantially on the first memory portion or at least the pre-programmed firmware start address.
When an update is required based on the received firmware update data, a control firmware update having at least an updated main firmware program is then stored on the second memory portion.
Thus, a memory architecture for an actuator system can be provided by largely using a read-only memory portion, which is cost-effective, but allows firmware updates through a rewritable and writable portion of a remotely writable memory. In the automotive field, this has the advantage of reducing the maintenance requirements of the actuator system when a firmware update is required. This provides a great degree of flexibility for the actuator manufacturer to make firmware corrections later.
In this application, the words "comprise/comprises" and the words "having/including" are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination and are within the scope of the invention.
The above examples merely represent preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are described in more detail and detail, but are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, several variations and modifications, such as combinations of different features in various embodiments, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and these are within the scope of the invention.
Claims (15)
1. An actuator system, comprising:
an actuator; and
a reprogrammable memory device configured to store control firmware for the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device comprising a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and a third memory portion, the first memory portion comprising a rewritable memory portion having an initial firmware start address stored thereon, the second memory portion comprising a read-only memory portion, the third memory portion comprising a writable memory portion; in the update condition of the received firmware update data, the update of the control firmware is written in the first memory section and the third memory section, and the initial firmware start address is overwritten with the start address of the firmware that is updated.
2. The actuator system of claim 1, wherein the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program and a function, the pre-programmed main firmware program being stored on a second memory portion and an initial firmware start address pointing to the pre-programmed main firmware program, the control firmware comprising a function, the function being stored on the second memory portion, the function comprising at least one function, subroutine, program or library.
3. The actuator system of claim 1, wherein the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program and a function, the pre-programmed main firmware program stored on a third memory portion, wherein an initial firmware start address points to the pre-programmed main firmware program, the control firmware comprising a function, the function stored on the second memory portion, the function comprising at least one function, subroutine, program, or library.
4. The actuator system of claim 1, wherein the first memory portion has a storage capacity no greater than a size required to store a single address, the second memory portion has a storage capacity greater than the third memory portion, and the third memory portion has a storage capacity greater than the first memory portion.
5. An actuator system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the storage capacity of the third memory portion is in the range of 10% and 30% of the size of the storage capacity of the second memory portion.
6. The actuator system of claim 1, wherein the first memory portion is provided as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory; the second memory portion is provided as a mask read only memory.
7. The actuator system of claim 1, wherein the third memory portion is provided as a non-erasable memory.
8. An actuator system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third memory portion is provided as a one-time programmable memory.
9. An actuator system, comprising:
an actuator; and
a reprogrammable memory device configured to store control firmware of the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device comprising a first memory portion including a rewritable memory portion of an initial firmware start address stored thereon and a second memory portion including a read-only memory portion, the update of the control firmware being written to the first memory portion in an update condition of received firmware update data.
10. The actuator system of claim 9, wherein the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program and a function, the function being stored on the second memory portion and an initial firmware start address pointing to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
11. The actuator system of claim 9, wherein the control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program stored on the first memory portion, wherein the initial firmware start address points to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
12. The actuator system according to claim 9, wherein in the update condition, an initial firmware start address is overwritten with a firmware start address at which the reprogrammable memory device is mounted; also included is a bus coupled to the reprogrammable memory device through which firmware update data is transmittable to the reprogrammable memory device.
13. The actuator system of claim 9, wherein the first memory portion is provided as a flash memory and the second memory portion is provided as a mask read only memory.
14. A vehicle system, characterized in that it comprises at least one actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
15. A method of updating an actuator system according to any of claims 1-13, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:
(a) communicating with a reprogrammable memory device to provide firmware update data; and
(b) writing a control firmware update to the reprogrammable memory device, the control firmware update including at least an updated main firmware program and an updated firmware start address, the updated firmware start address being stored on the first memory portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1811394.4 | 2018-07-12 | ||
| GB1811394.4A GB2575482B (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2018-07-12 | Actuator system with reprogrammable memory |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN110716725A true CN110716725A (en) | 2020-01-21 |
Family
ID=63273226
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201910616445.5A Pending CN110716725A (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2019-07-09 | Actuator system, vehicle system, and updating method thereof |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN110716725A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE102019118577A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2575482B (en) |
Citations (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0503928A2 (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1992-09-16 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for optimizing cost-based heuristic instruction schedule |
| KR20010069134A (en) * | 2000-01-12 | 2001-07-23 | 구자홍 | An apparatus and method for executing a firmware |
| CN1610883A (en) * | 2001-08-24 | 2005-04-27 | 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 | Upgrading software held in read-only storage |
| JP2006155391A (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-15 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image forming apparatus |
| US20070079297A1 (en) * | 2005-10-03 | 2007-04-05 | Arm Limited | System and method for compiling a computer program |
| CN1949174A (en) * | 2005-10-10 | 2007-04-18 | 三星电子株式会社 | Device and method for controlling initialization of image forming apparatus using nand flash memory |
| CN101403972A (en) * | 2008-01-17 | 2009-04-08 | 深圳市江波龙电子有限公司 | Memory card guiding method and device of embedded system |
| US20100274954A1 (en) * | 2009-04-28 | 2010-10-28 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Program update system and electronic device with program update function |
| CN102262554A (en) * | 2011-08-05 | 2011-11-30 | 深圳市九洲电器有限公司 | Method and device for saving storage space during upgrading software, and set top box |
| US20120131565A1 (en) * | 2010-11-18 | 2012-05-24 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | System and method for updating firmware of baseboard management controller of computing device |
| CN103425623A (en) * | 2006-03-30 | 2013-12-04 | 晶像股份有限公司 | Shared nonvolatile memory architecture |
| CN103946831A (en) * | 2011-11-25 | 2014-07-23 | 国际商业机器公司 | System, method and program product for cost-aware selection of templates for provisioning shared resources |
| CN106030531A (en) * | 2014-02-20 | 2016-10-12 | 宝马股份公司 | Increasing the available flash memory of a micro-controller |
| WO2017022117A1 (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2017-02-09 | 富士通株式会社 | Control device, control program, and control method |
| CN106802811A (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2017-06-06 | 硅谷数模半导体（北京）有限公司 | program writing method and device |
| US20180081675A1 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2018-03-22 | Honeywell International Inc. | On-process migration of non-redundant input/output (i/o) firmware |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8249579B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2012-08-21 | Siemens Industry, Inc. | Reprogramming nodes in a wireless automation system |
| US20100106957A1 (en) * | 2008-10-27 | 2010-04-29 | Lennox Industries Inc. | Programming and configuration in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning network |
| DE102010064279A1 (en) * | 2010-12-28 | 2012-06-28 | Endress + Hauser Flowtec Ag | Field device with long-term firmware compatibility |
| US9092300B2 (en) * | 2013-04-18 | 2015-07-28 | Ottr Products, Llc | Peripheral device and method for updating firmware thereof |
| DE102013108478A1 (en) * | 2013-08-06 | 2015-02-12 | Endress+Hauser Process Solutions Ag | Method for expanding an embedded software component of a field device |
| DE102014218882A1 (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2015-04-23 | Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg | A method for providing a software version identifier of at least one controller for a software version check by a test unit |
| US20170010896A1 (en) * | 2015-07-06 | 2017-01-12 | Lear Corporation | Shared Memory Architecture Autoupdater |
| US10481900B2 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2019-11-19 | Endress+Hauser Conducta Gmbh+Co. Kg | Method for updating a firmware component and device of measurement and control technology |
| US20170295058A1 (en) * | 2016-04-12 | 2017-10-12 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Devices and methods for network integration of an hvac device |
| EP3446209A1 (en) * | 2016-04-21 | 2019-02-27 | Philips Lighting Holding B.V. | System and methods for cloud-based monitoring and control of physical environments |
| US10430175B2 (en) * | 2016-11-01 | 2019-10-01 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Thermostat with software update features |
-
2018
- 2018-07-12 GB GB1811394.4A patent/GB2575482B/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-07-09 DE DE102019118577.7A patent/DE102019118577A1/en active Pending
- 2019-07-09 CN CN201910616445.5A patent/CN110716725A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0503928A2 (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1992-09-16 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for optimizing cost-based heuristic instruction schedule |
| KR20010069134A (en) * | 2000-01-12 | 2001-07-23 | 구자홍 | An apparatus and method for executing a firmware |
| CN1610883A (en) * | 2001-08-24 | 2005-04-27 | 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 | Upgrading software held in read-only storage |
| JP2006155391A (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-15 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image forming apparatus |
| US20070079297A1 (en) * | 2005-10-03 | 2007-04-05 | Arm Limited | System and method for compiling a computer program |
| CN1949174A (en) * | 2005-10-10 | 2007-04-18 | 三星电子株式会社 | Device and method for controlling initialization of image forming apparatus using nand flash memory |
| CN103425623A (en) * | 2006-03-30 | 2013-12-04 | 晶像股份有限公司 | Shared nonvolatile memory architecture |
| CN101403972A (en) * | 2008-01-17 | 2009-04-08 | 深圳市江波龙电子有限公司 | Memory card guiding method and device of embedded system |
| US20100274954A1 (en) * | 2009-04-28 | 2010-10-28 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Program update system and electronic device with program update function |
| US20120131565A1 (en) * | 2010-11-18 | 2012-05-24 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | System and method for updating firmware of baseboard management controller of computing device |
| CN102262554A (en) * | 2011-08-05 | 2011-11-30 | 深圳市九洲电器有限公司 | Method and device for saving storage space during upgrading software, and set top box |
| CN103946831A (en) * | 2011-11-25 | 2014-07-23 | 国际商业机器公司 | System, method and program product for cost-aware selection of templates for provisioning shared resources |
| CN106030531A (en) * | 2014-02-20 | 2016-10-12 | 宝马股份公司 | Increasing the available flash memory of a micro-controller |
| WO2017022117A1 (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2017-02-09 | 富士通株式会社 | Control device, control program, and control method |
| US20180081675A1 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2018-03-22 | Honeywell International Inc. | On-process migration of non-redundant input/output (i/o) firmware |
| CN106802811A (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2017-06-06 | 硅谷数模半导体（北京）有限公司 | program writing method and device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2575482B (en) | 2023-04-12 |
| GB201811394D0 (en) | 2018-08-29 |
| GB2575482A (en) | 2020-01-15 |
| DE102019118577A1 (en) | 2020-01-16 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6393342B2 (en) | Method and device for controlling operating sequences in a vehicle | |
| US7602655B2 (en) | Embedded system | |
| KR101110785B1 (en) | Flash memory with programmable endurance | |
| US6598114B2 (en) | Electronic control unit including flash memory and method and apparatus for storing control data group into flash memory | |
| JP4686358B2 (en) | Control device with flash memory | |
| EP1600981B1 (en) | Stored data rewriting system for on-board control unit | |
| JP4302113B2 (en) | In-vehicle control device | |
| EP1701262A1 (en) | Method and device of rewriting a sector storing the bootloader code in a sector erasable semiconductor memory means | |
| CN110716725A (en) | Actuator system, vehicle system, and updating method thereof | |
| JP2007226798A (en) | Device and method for controlling flash memory | |
| JP2005338955A (en) | Electronic control device | |
| JP2019008693A (en) | Vehicle-purpose electronic control unit | |
| US20020073408A1 (en) | Method for writing and erasing a non-volatile memory area | |
| US20040064634A1 (en) | Method of emulating electrically erasable memory in a motor vehicle microcontroller | |
| JP2006039876A (en) | Data storage device | |
| JP2002149412A (en) | Electronic controller | |
| JP4679745B2 (en) | Device that recognizes functional units | |
| JP2023170521A (en) | Facility apparatus | |
| CN111796839A (en) | Controller program management method and device | |
| JPH07239777A (en) | Electronic controller with one-chip microcomputer, and its control data storing method | |
| JP2007290569A (en) | Electronic control system | |
| US20190286447A1 (en) | Information processing device | |
| US11710512B2 (en) | Method for writing to and reading out a non-volatile electronic memory | |
| JP6969103B2 (en) | Electronic control device | |
| US20160357484A1 (en) | Increasing the Available Flash Memory of a Microcontroller |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination |