CN101667133B - Method for updating firmware and chip updating firmware by using same - Google Patents
Method for updating firmware and chip updating firmware by using same Download PDFInfo
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- CN101667133B CN101667133B CN200910204033A CN200910204033A CN101667133B CN 101667133 B CN101667133 B CN 101667133B CN 200910204033 A CN200910204033 A CN 200910204033A CN 200910204033 A CN200910204033 A CN 200910204033A CN 101667133 B CN101667133 B CN 101667133B
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Abstract
The invention provides a method for updating a firmware and a chip updating the firmware by using the method. The chip comprises a control unit and a first memory that memorizes an original firmware used for the control unit; furthermore, the chip also comprises a second memory and a main controller, wherein the main controller is used for checking whether the firmware used for updating the control unit exists or not and writing the updated firmware into the second memory for the use of the control unit when the updated firmware exists. The chip and the method for updating the firmware can simplify the updating process of the firmware, thus reducing the cost and time for updating the firmware.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kind of firmware update and use this method to upgrade the chip of firmware.More specifically, the present invention relates to a kind of chip that can simplify the firmware update process and reduce firmware update cost and the firmware update of time and use this method renewal firmware.
Background technology
At present, a lot of chips in the equipment such as hub comprise that all micro controller unit (MCU) and storage are used for the ROM (read-only memory) (ROM) of firmware of this MCU, and this firmware is solidificated among the ROM chip being carried out flow (tape out) time.Fig. 1 shows the schematic block diagram of this traditional die.As shown in Figure 1, chip 100 comprises through ROM bus ROM101 connected to one another and MCU 102.When activating chip 100, MCU 102 reads the firmware that is stored among the ROM 101, utilizes this firmware to come executable operations then.
In the chip use, for the defective of revising hardware or the mistake in the firmware, increase new function, or further optimize firmware, usually need upgrade firmware to improve the performance of chip to chip.Yet; In traditional die, the firmware that is used for MCU 102 is cured in ROM 101, can not upgrade this firmware through directly ROM 101 being wiped and writes; Therefore, often need carry out flow again so that the original firmware among the ROM replaced with the firmware of renewal to entire chip.Such firmware update process is comparatively complicated, and cost is high, the time is long.
Therefore, need a kind of improved firmware update and use this method to upgrade the chip of firmware,, thereby reduce firmware update cost and time so that simplify the firmware update process.
Summary of the invention
Consider above problem and made the present invention.An object of the present invention is to provide a kind of chip, it can utilize the firmware update process of simplifying to upgrade firmware, and not need by flow again, thereby reduce firmware update cost and time when needs upgrade firmware.
Another object of the present invention provides a kind of firmware update, and it can simplify the firmware update process, thereby reduces firmware update cost and time.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of chip is provided, this chip comprises that control module and storage are used for the first memory of the original firmware of control module, and comprises: second memory; Primary controller (master) is used to check the firmware that whether has the renewal that is used for control module, and the firmware that when the firmware that exist to upgrade, will upgrade writes in the second memory for the control module use, and control signal is set; And multiplexer; Be used for receiving this control signal from primary controller; After this control module resets, this multiplexer optionally will offer this control module from this original firmware of first memory output or from the firmware of this renewal of second memory output according to this control signal.
According to a further aspect in the invention; A kind of firmware update is provided; The chip of be used to comprise control module, storing first memory, second memory, multiplexer and the primary controller of the original firmware that is used for this control module, this method may further comprise the steps: the firmware that whether is had the renewal that is used for control module by the primary controller inspection; And when the firmware that exist to upgrade, the firmware that will be upgraded by primary controller writes in the second memory for the control module use, and control signal is set; This control module resets; And pass through multiplexer from this control signal of primary controller reception, after this control module resets, optionally will offer this control module from this original firmware of first memory output or more this new firmware of exporting from second memory according to this control signal.
In chip and firmware update according to an embodiment of the invention; When needs upgrade the firmware of the control module that is used for chip; The firmware that upgrades is write direct in the storer different with the ROM (read-only memory) of storing original firmware, make control module can utilize the firmware of this renewal to come executable operations, both reached the purpose of upgrading firmware thus; Eliminate the needs that chip carried out flow again again, and reduced firmware update cost and time.
Description of drawings
In conjunction with the drawings embodiments of the invention are described in detail, above and other objects of the present invention, characteristic, advantage will become apparent, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows the schematic block diagram of traditional die;
Fig. 2 is the schematic block diagram of chip according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 illustrates the process flow diagram of chip update method according to an embodiment of the invention.
Embodiment
Chip and chip update method are according to an embodiment of the invention described below with reference to accompanying drawings.
Fig. 2 shows the schematic block diagram of chip according to an embodiment of the invention, and this chip can be individual chips or the part of this individual chips in the equipment such as hub.As shown in Figure 2, chip 200 comprises ROM (read-only memory) (ROM) 201, primary controller (master) 202, static RAM (SRAM) 203, multiplexer (MUX) 204 and micro controller unit (MCU) 205.Primary controller 202 is connected to the external memory storage 400 that is positioned at chip 200 outsides.
External memory storage 400 is used for the firmware of storage update; The firmware of this renewal is used for replacing the original firmware of chip 200, so as to revise hardware defective or the mistake in the firmware, increase new function, or further optimize firmware with the performance that improves chip 200 etc. for chip 200.External memory storage 400 can be that perhaps other can be used to the storer of storing firmware to ROM (read-only memory).As required, external memory storage 400 can be positioned at the outside any position of chip 200, preferably is positioned on the circuit board identical with chip 200.When the needs original firmware in the new chip 200 when (specifically, being used for the original firmware of MCU 205) more, chip manufacturer or user can be with the firmware stores of the renewal of being prepared in external memory storages 400.The firmware downloads that can will upgrade via network also can be with the firmware of this renewal in external memory storage 400 be write direct in this locality in external memory storage 400.
ROM 201 storages are used for the original firmware of MCU 205,, when at first chip 200 being carried out flow, are solidificated in the firmware that is used for MCU 205 wherein that is.When chip 200 was activated, ROM 201 outputed to MUX 204 in response to the request of reading firmware of MCU 205 with this original firmware.
Whether primary controller 202 inspection exists the firmware of the renewal that is used for MCU 205, and when confirming to have the firmware of renewal, and the firmware of this renewal is write among the SRAM 203.Particularly, when for example when powering up or applying enable signal to chip 200 and activate chip 200, primary controller 203 is communicated by letter with external memory storage 400, and confirms whether to have stored in the storer 400 externally the firmware of the renewal that is used for MCU 205.If the firmware that exist to upgrade, then primary controller 202 firmware that will upgrade writes the SRAM 203 from external memory storage 400, is provided for controlling the control signal SEL of the output of MUX 204 then, for example, SEL is made as 1, has the firmware of renewal with expression.Before the above-mentioned checked operation of beginning, primary controller 203 also applies reset signal RESET to MCU 205, so that it is in reset mode, carries out the firmware read operation thereby prevent it.After accomplishing said checked operation, primary controller 202 is removed and is applied to the reset signal on the MCU 205, makes MCU 205 withdraw from reset mode and begins to read firmware.In the present embodiment, primary controller 202 is all automatically carried out said checked operation and write operation subsequently at every turn when activating chip 200, yet the invention is not restricted to this.Also can be after activating chip 200, primary controller 202 is at predetermined instant or carry out said checked operation and write operation subsequently with predetermined period.Perhaps, the user interface that can communicate by letter with this primary controller 202 can be provided extraly also, make instruction that primary controller 202 can send via this user interface in response to the user and carry out said checked operation and write operation subsequently.Primary controller 202 can use hardware, software, firmware or two or more the combination in them to realize, but preferably utilizes hardware to realize.
SRAM 203 is used to store the firmware of the renewal that is write by primary controller 202.In addition, SRAM 203 is also in response to from the request of reading firmware of MCU 205 and the firmware that will be stored in said renewal wherein outputs to MUX 204.The capacity of SRAM 203 can change according to actual needs, for example can be the 12K byte.Will be appreciated that although used SRAM to come the firmware of storage update, this only is illustrative, rather than restrictive here.In fact, also can use flash memory (flashmemory) or other readable and writable memory that can be used for storing firmware to store the firmware of said renewal.
MUX 204 optionally will offer MCU 205 from the original firmware of ROM 201 output or from the firmware of the renewal of SRAM 203 outputs.Particularly, when MUX 204 when primary controller 202 receives the control signal SEL of the output that is used to control MUX 204, if the SEL signal is set up, for example; The SEL signal is set as 1, the firmware that exist to upgrade of expression then, and MUX 204 will offer MCU 205 from the firmware of the renewal of SRAM 203 outputs; Otherwise, if the SEL signal is not set up, for example; The SEL signal is 0, and then there is not the firmware of renewal in expression, and MUX 204 will offer MCU 205 from the original firmware of ROM 201 outputs.
MCU 205 reads from the original firmware of ROM 201 or from the firmware of the renewal of SRAM 203, and according to the firmware executable operations that is read.Particularly, when activating chip 200, because primary controller 202 is applied to MCU 205 with reset signal RESET, so MCU 205 gets into reset mode.After primary controller 202 was accomplished said checked operation, primary controller 202 was removed the reset signal that is applied to MCU 205, makes MCU 205 withdraw from reset mode, and the two sends the request of reading firmware to ROM 201 and SRAM 203.As stated; In response to this request; ROM 201 and SRAM 203 output to MUX 204 with the firmware of original firmware and renewal respectively, then the control signal SEL of the output of the control MUX 204 that receives from primary controller 202 of MUX 204 bases the and optionally firmware of said original firmware or renewal is offered MCU 205.Subsequently, MCU utilizes this firmware that provides from MUX 204 to come executable operations.
Can see, in chip 200 according to an embodiment of the invention, except the ROM 201 of storage original firmware, also be provided with primary controller 202 and readable and writable memory 203.When having the firmware that upgrades; The firmware that primary controller 202 will upgrade writes in the readable and writable memory 203; Make MCU 205 utilize the firmware of this renewal rather than original firmware to come executable operations; Thus, reached the purpose of upgrading firmware, and need not carry out flow again to upgrade the firmware among the ROM 201 chip 200.This has simplified the firmware update process, thereby has reduced firmware update cost and time.
Will be appreciated that the structure of above-described chip 200 is schematically, also can design other structure as required.For example, can SRAM 203 be placed chip 200 outsides, and utilize high speed data bus that SRAM 203 is connected with primary controller 202, MUX 204 and MCU 205 respectively.In addition; Although in chip mentioned above, primary controller 202 applied reset signal to MCU205 before carrying out said checked operation, and after accomplishing said checked operation, removed this reset signal; But this is optional; Also can not apply this reset signal in advance, but after accomplishing said checked operation and confirming to have the firmware that upgrades, apply a reset signal to MCU 205 again, so that it begins to read firmware.
Below, will firmware update according to an embodiment of the invention be described with reference to Fig. 3.This firmware update can be carried out by chip shown in Figure 2 200.
As shown in Figure 3, when activating chip 200, in step S301, primary controller 202 applies reset signal RESET to MCU205, so that it gets into reset mode.Next, in step S302, whether primary controller 202 inspections exist the firmware of the renewal that is used for MCU 205.Particularly, primary controller 202 is communicated by letter with external memory storage 400, and whether has stored the firmware of the renewal that is used for MCU205 in definite externally storer 400.When in step S302, confirming to have the firmware that upgrades, in step S303, the firmware that primary controller 202 will upgrade writes SRAM 403 from external memory storage 400.
After having carried out step S303, in step S304, primary controller 202 is removed and is applied to the reset signal on the MCU205, and the control signal SEL that controls the output of MUX 204 to MUX204 being used to of sending is set, and for example, the SEL signal is set as 1.
On the other hand, when in step S302, confirming not have the firmware of renewal, in step S305, primary controller 202 is removed and is applied to the reset signal on the MCU 205, and the control signal SEL that sends to MUX 204 is not set, and for example, the SEL signal is 0.
Next, in step S306, because the reset signal that is applied on the MCU 205 is removed, so MCU 205 withdraws from reset mode, and the request of reading firmware to ROM 201 and SRAM 203 the two transmission.In response to this request, the original firmware that ROM 201 will be stored in wherein outputs to MUX204, and the firmware that SRAM 203 will be stored in renewal wherein outputs to MUX 204.
Subsequently, in step S307, MUX 204 optionally will offer MCU 205 from the original firmware of ROM 201 output or from the firmware of the renewal of SRAM 203 outputs.Particularly, when MUX 204 when primary controller 202 receives the control signal SEL that has been set up, for example, the SEL signal is set as 1, MUX 204 will offer MCU 205 from the firmware of the renewal of SRAM 203 outputs.On the other hand, when MUX 204 when primary controller 202 receives the control signal SEL that is not set up, for example, the SEL signal is 0, MUX 204 will offer MCU 205 from the original firmware of ROM 201 outputs.Thus, MCU 205 can be under the control of primary controller 202, utilizes from the original firmware of ROM 201 outputs or from the firmware of the renewal of SRAM 203 outputs and come executable operations.
It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that method mentioned above is not restrictive.For example; Although in method mentioned above, apply reset signal at step S301 to MCU 205, and remove this reset signal at step S304 or S305; But this is optional; Also can not carry out these two steps, but after accomplishing said checked operation and confirming to have the firmware that upgrades, apply a reset signal to MCU 205 again, so that it begins to read firmware.
Can see; In firmware update according to an embodiment of the invention; When the firmware that exist to upgrade, the firmware that primary controller 202 will upgrade writes the readable and writable memory 203 different with ROM (read-only memory) 201, makes MCU 205 can utilize the firmware of this renewal to come executable operations.Therefore, no longer need as conventional art, carry out flow again, thereby simplify the firmware update process, save firmware update cost and time chip 200.
Although should be noted that to be that example has been described the present invention hereinbefore with the chip, application of the present invention is not limited to chip, but can be widely used in existing the miscellaneous equipment or the device of the needs that upgrade firmware.
Although shown here with exemplary embodiment of the present invention described; But those skilled in the art are to be understood that; Under the scope of the present invention that in not deviating from claim and equivalent thereof, limits and the situation of spirit, can make the variation on various forms and the details to these exemplary embodiments.
Claims (12)
1. a chip comprises that control module and storage are used for the first memory of the original firmware of control module, it is characterized in that this chip also comprises:
Second memory; And
Primary controller is used to check the firmware that whether has the renewal that is used for control module, and the firmware that when the firmware that exist to upgrade, will upgrade writes in the second memory for the control module use, and control signal is set;
Multiplexer; Be used for receiving this control signal from primary controller; After this control module resets, this multiplexer optionally will offer this control module from this original firmware of first memory output or from the firmware of this renewal of second memory output according to this control signal.
2. chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein, primary controller is carried out said inspection through with the 3rd memory communication that is arranged in chip exterior and confirm whether to have stored at the 3rd storer the firmware of said renewal.
3. chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein, primary controller is all automatically carried out said inspection at every turn when activating chip.
4. chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after activating chip, primary controller is carried out said inspection at predetermined instant or with predetermined period.
5. chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein, primary controller is carried out said inspection in response to user's instruction.
6. chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiplexer is used in response to the request of reading firmware from control module, when this control signal is 1, the firmware that upgrades is offered control module.
7. firmware update is used to comprise that control module, storage are used for the chip of first memory, second memory, multiplexer and primary controller of the original firmware of this control module, and this method may further comprise the steps:
The firmware that whether has the renewal that is used for control module by the primary controller inspection;
When the firmware that exist to upgrade, the firmware that will be upgraded by primary controller writes in the second memory for the control module use, and control signal is set;
This control module resets; And
Receive this control signal through multiplexer from primary controller, after this control module resets, optionally will offer this control module from this original firmware of first memory output or more this new firmware of exporting from second memory according to this control signal.
8. firmware update as claimed in claim 7, wherein, primary controller is carried out said inspection through with the 3rd memory communication that is arranged in chip exterior and confirm whether to have stored at the 3rd storer the firmware of said renewal.
9. firmware update as claimed in claim 7, wherein, primary controller is all automatically carried out said inspection at every turn when activating chip.
10. firmware update as claimed in claim 7, wherein, after activating chip, primary controller is carried out said inspection at predetermined instant or with predetermined period.
11. firmware update as claimed in claim 7, wherein, primary controller is carried out said inspection in response to user's instruction.
12. firmware update as claimed in claim 7 is further comprising the steps of:
When this control signal is 1, in response to from the request of reading firmware of control module and the firmware that will be stored in the renewal of second memory offers control module.
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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| CN200910204033A CN101667133B (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-09-30 | Method for updating firmware and chip updating firmware by using same |
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| CN200910204033A CN101667133B (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-09-30 | Method for updating firmware and chip updating firmware by using same |
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| CN101667133A CN101667133A (en) | 2010-03-10 |
| CN101667133B true CN101667133B (en) | 2012-09-05 |
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Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102541582A (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2012-07-04 | 上海三旗通信科技股份有限公司 | Optimization method for firmware updating based on high-pass baseband chip |
| CN102945173B (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2016-06-29 | 青岛海信宽带多媒体技术有限公司 | User program online upgrade system and upgrade method |
| KR102261815B1 (en) | 2014-10-30 | 2021-06-07 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Data storage device for reducing firmware update time, and data processing system including the same |
| CN104618888B (en) * | 2014-12-24 | 2018-04-06 | 惠州Tcl移动通信有限公司 | A kind of mobile terminal NFC chip firmware update system and method |
| CN106708567B (en) * | 2016-12-06 | 2020-07-31 | 英业达科技有限公司 | Firmware updating method and system |
| CN109375958A (en) * | 2018-09-20 | 2019-02-22 | 锐捷网络股份有限公司 | A kind of firmware loading method and circuit board |
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| CN1585926A (en) * | 2001-09-17 | 2005-02-23 | 索马网络公司 | Software update method, device and system |
| CN1783001A (en) * | 2004-11-29 | 2006-06-07 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method for starting basic input and output system |
| CN101271396A (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2008-09-24 | 威盛电子股份有限公司 | Electronic device and method for on-line updating firmware |
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Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1585926A (en) * | 2001-09-17 | 2005-02-23 | 索马网络公司 | Software update method, device and system |
| CN1783001A (en) * | 2004-11-29 | 2006-06-07 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method for starting basic input and output system |
| CN101271396A (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2008-09-24 | 威盛电子股份有限公司 | Electronic device and method for on-line updating firmware |
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