GB2575482A - Actuator system with reprogrammable memory - Google Patents
Actuator system with reprogrammable memory Download PDFInfo
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- GB2575482A GB2575482A GB1811394.4A GB201811394A GB2575482A GB 2575482 A GB2575482 A GB 2575482A GB 201811394 A GB201811394 A GB 201811394A GB 2575482 A GB2575482 A GB 2575482A
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- memory
- firmware
- actuator system
- memory portion
- reprogrammable
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- 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
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- 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
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- Software Systems (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Stored Programmes (AREA)
Abstract
A memory architecture of a reprogrammable memory device for an actuator system permitting firmware updates via rewritable and writable sections of the memory which may be remotely written, another memory portion is read only. In automotive contexts, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit), this has the advantage of reducing the maintenance requirements for an actuator system when firmware updates are necessary. The programmable memory capacity may not be larger than a single address, and the read only portion may be larger than the re-writable memory. The pre-programmed control firmware may include one function, sub-routine or procedure. The memory may be Mask ROM, EEPROM or flash allowing firmware updates.
Description
Actuator System With Reprogrammable Memory
The present invention relates to an actuator system with a reprogrammable memory, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for use in automotive contexts, such as in HVAC systems. The invention further relates to a HVAC system for an automobile, and also to a method of updating a firmware for an actuator system.
It is desirable to provide actuators with embedded electronics for control functionality, particularly in automotive applications in which it is preferred that the actuator systems are installable as unitary modules. However, where control firmware is provided which, for whatever reason, needs to be updated, there can be a significant associated cost issue, such as either obtaining access to the actuator system to install a replacement memory module or in the other case using more expensive memory in the actuator as installed to allow overwritable functions.
Memory devices for storing the control firmware can be expensive, and therefore to be able to produce a cost-effective actuator system, it is preferred that cheaper memory solutions for the embedded electronics are provided.
Read-only memory (ROM) is relatively cheap. Actuators systems are known which include ROM masked application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC). Firmware can be directly once written to the ROM at the time of manufacture, and the actuator system installed. If an update is required, in this situation, the entire actuator system must be removed and replaced due to the ROM not being updatable.
Programmable memory is, by comparison, 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 programmable memory allows for updates to the control firmware to be achieved. However, although the update process is streamlined, the initial manufacturing cost of the actuator system is significantly increased. Programmable memory therefore covers memory which has at least a portion of the memory available to be written, and encompasses reprogrammable memory, such as EEPROM, which has memory portions which can be rewritten and/or overwritten preferably without requiring direct access to the memory circuits.
The present invention seeks to provide an enhanced actuator system which can be reprogrammed, whilst also being cost-effective to manufacture.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an actuator system comprising: an actuator; and a reprogrammable memory device which is configured to store control firmware for the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device including a first memory portion which is reprogrammable memory having an initial firmware starting address stored thereon, a second memory portion which is read-only memory having pre-programmed control firmware stored thereon, and a third memory portion having memory which is in a writable state; and wherein, in an update condition implemented based on received firmware update data, a control firmware update is writable to the first and third memory portions, and the initial firmware starting address is overwritten by an updated firmware starting address.
The enhanced memory architecture of the present invention provides a cost-effective means of storing the initial firmware which is installed with the embedded electronics of the actuator, whilst maintaining a capability for updating said firmware without needing direct physical access to the embedded electronics. For automotive applications in particular, this significantly reduces the burden when updating the firmware, since a connection to perform the update can be made via a standard bus. Overwriting of the starting address during each update condition advantageously minimises the memory capacity of the reprogrammable memory portion, which is the expensive component of the memory device.
Preferably, the pre-programmed control firmware may comprise a pre-programmed main firmware program, and wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the preprogrammed main firmware program.
The main firmware program may initially be provided on the read-only memory, reducing the amount of writable memory required, and in turn, reducing the total manufacturing cost of the actuator system.
Optionally, a pre-programmed main firmware program may be stored on the third memory portion, wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the preprogrammed main firmware program.
Processing speed advantages may be achieved where the main firmware program is not stored in slow read-only memory. Alternatively, the read-only memory may be created across several actuator systems utilising identical function libraries, in which case, for ease of manufacture, it may be preferable to install a bespoke main firmware program directly onto the writable memory portion.
The first memory portion preferably has a memory capacity that is not larger than a size required to store a single address.
The limiting of the total memory requirements for the rewritable memory is important, since is the most expensive memory type.
The second memory portion may have a greater memory capacity than the third memory portion, and the third memory portion may have a greater memory capacity than the first memory portion. Furthermore, the memory capacity of the third memory portion may be between 10% and 30% of the size of the memory capacity of the second memory portion.
For the most cost-effective manufacture of the reprogrammable memory device, it is preferred that the ratios of the different memory portions are weighted towards the cheapest memory type available.
In the pre-programmed condition, the pre-programmed control firmware stored on the second memory portion may comprise at least one function, subroutine or procedure library. In the update condition, the control firmware update may comprise any or all of an updated function; an updated subroutine; an updated procedure; and an updated library.
The majority of the code or logic of the firmware is best stored on the read-only memory, since the majority of the control firmware will not need to be amended when there is a firmware update. Revised logic only can therefore be implemented on the writable memory, with the main firmware program never referencing outdated code on the readonly memory.
Preferably, the first memory portion is provided as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
EEPROM memory has the advantage of being repeatedly rewritable, and the memory erasure can be attended to in small blocks, unlike flash memory. For small-scale rewritable memory usage, as in the present invention, the increased cost burden of providing EEPROM memory is offset by its greater effectiveness and longer life-span when compared with flash memory.
Optionally, the second memory portion may be provided as mask read-only memory.
Mask ROM has the advantage of being very cheaply installable as embedded memory within an electronic device, reducing the cost of manufacture of the actuator system.
Preferably, the third memory portion may be provided as one-time-programmable memory.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an actuator system comprising: an actuator; and a reprogrammable memory device which is configured to store control firmware for the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device including a first memory portion which is reprogrammable memory having an initial firmware starting address stored thereon, and a second memory portion which is read-only memory having pre-programmed control firmware stored thereon; and wherein, in an update condition implemented based on received firmware update data, a control firmware update is written to the first memory portion.
It may, in some scenarios, be advantageous to unify the rewritable and writable memory portions, for example, where many or extensive firmware updates are expected, which would otherwise fill a non-rewritable memory. Whilst, for example, flash memory is comparatively expensive, the increased cost of manufacture may be preferable to the increased cost of replacement of the actuator system in the event of a larger-than-expected firmware update.
Preferably, the pre-programmed control firmware may comprise a pre-programmed main firmware program, and wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the preprogrammed main firmware program.
The majority of the code or logic of the firmware is best stored on the read-only memory, since the majority of the control firmware will not need to be amended when there is a firmware update. Revised logic only can therefore be implemented on the writable memory, with the main firmware program never referencing outdated code on the readonly memory.
Optionally, the pre-programmed main firmware program may be stored on the first memory portion, wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the preprogrammed main firmware program.
The main firmware program may initially be provided on the writable memory, which may be more useful where the main firmware program is developed late in the manufacturing process, since this will allow the standard ROM components to be preinstalled.
Preferably, in the update condition, the updated firmware starting address may overwrite the pre-programmed firmware starting address. The first memory portion preferably has a memory capacity that is not larger than a size required to store a single address.
The ability to overwrite the firmware starting address may advantageously limit the total memory requirements for the rewritable memory, which is the most expensive memory type.
Optionally, the first memory portion may be provided as flash memory.
Where bulk reprogrammable memory is required, the more cost-effective flash memory may be used in lieu of EEPROM.
Preferably, the second memory portion may be provided as mask read-only memory.
Mask ROM is the most cost-effective form of memory utilised, and therefore is most appropriate for use as the embedded memory portion of the reprogrammable memory device.
In a preferable embodiment, the reprogrammable memory device may be mounted onboard the actuator.
Embedding the electronics of the actuator allows for a compact actuator to be produced and installed into a relevant system, such as an automotive application, as a single readilyinstallable module.
In a preferred embodiment, the actuator system may further comprise a bus coupled with the reprogrammable memory device via which firmware update data is transmissible to the reprogrammable memory device.
The use of an externally connectable bus allows for the reprogrammable memory device to be remotely reprogrammed, which is of particular use in automotive contexts in which the actuator may not be readily accessible.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle system comprising at least one actuator system in accordance with either of the first or second aspects of the invention.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a HVAC system for an automobile comprising at least one actuator system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of updating a firmware for an actuator system, the method comprising the steps of: a] communicating with the reprogrammable memory device to provide the firmware update data; and b] writing the control firmware update to the reprogrammable memory device, the control firmware update comprising at least an updated main firmware program and an updated firmware starting address, the updated firmware starting address being stored on the first memory portion.
The method of updating firmware according to the present invention allows this process to be performed remotely, without needing to incur the expense of producing a programmable memory device having only reprogrammable memory.
The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure la shows a diagrammatic representation of a memory map of a reprogrammable memory device of a first embodiment of an actuator system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in an initial pre-programmed state;
Figure lb shows a diagrammatic representation of the memory map of Figure la, in an updated state following a control firmware update;
Figure 2a shows a diagrammatic representation of a memory map of a reprogrammable memory device of a second embodiment of an actuator system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in an initial pre-programmed state;
Figure 2b shows a diagrammatic representation of the memory map of Figure 2a, in an updated state following a control firmware update;
Figure 3a shows a diagrammatic representation of a memory map of a reprogrammable memory device of a third embodiment of an actuator system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, in an initial pre-programmed state; and
Figure 3b shows a diagrammatic representation of the memory map of Figure 3a, in an updated state following a control firmware update.
An actuator system having embedded electronics includes an actuator, suitable for providing an output drive, in particular but not necessarily exclusively for use in an automotive context, such as an automotive heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit or module of a vehicle. The embedded electronics preferably include a control processor, which may be integral to the actuator, and are associated with a reprogrammable memory device on which control firmware is storable. Abus is provided with the reprogrammable memory device via which firmware update data is transmissible to the reprogrammable memory device.
An exemplary reprogrammable memory device is indicated in Figures la and lb at 10, and is divided into first, second and third sections: 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 the present scenario, the term rewritable is intended to refer to memory which can be programmed after installation of the embedded electronics without direct physical access being required, regardless of whether data is already stored in the memory. Typically, this will enable overwriting of the data by first erasing the existing data and then writing new data to the erased memory cells. The term writable is intended to refer to memory which can be programmed after installation of the embedded electronics, and may either be reprogrammable or non-reprogrammable in use; exemplary embodiments of both options are provided below. It will therefore be appreciated that, for some embodiments of the invention defined below, a writable memory portion may be potentially provided as rewritable memory, within the definition provided above. The term read-only memory is here used to refer to memory which can either not be overwritten, such as mask ROM.
Figure la shows the initial or default state of the reprogrammable memory device 10. The rewritable memory portion 12 is here provided as EEPROM memory, allowing for remote electronic erasure thereof, and subsequent overwriting of the contents stored thereon. The rewritable memory portion 12 is preferably sized so as to be sufficient to store only a single address or memory locator, and indicates a starting address for a main control firmware program. At the point of manufacture, an initial pre-programmed firmware starting address 18, here written as a hexadecimal string indicative of a memory location in the read-only memory portion 14.
The read-only memory portion 14 may preferably be provided as a cost-effective readonly memory element, such as a mask ROM memory element. At the point of manufacture, this is pre-programmed with all of the pre-programmed control firmware, which here comprises a main firmware program 20 and a library of functions 22. Indicative functions 22 are shown, but it will be appreciated that any amount or type of function, subroutine, routine, program or procedure could be loaded as firmware on the read-only memory portion 14. The pre-programmed firmware starting address 18 directs to the location of the main firmware program 20.
The writable memory portion 16 is here provided as OTP memory having no preprogrammed data thereon. As such, all available memory capacity is potentially writable in use.
To update the firmware, a connection can be made via the appropriate bus to the reprogrammable memory device 10, which allows for firmware update data to be transmitted thereto.
A firmware update will result in an alteration to the main firmware program 20, and therefore an updated main firmware program 20’ is provided and written to the writable memory portion 16. The memory location of the updated main firmware program 20’ can then be amended by providing an updated firmware starting address 18’ to the rewritable memory portion 12, preferably by overwriting of the pre-programmed firmware starting address 18.
The updated main firmware program 20’ may include new code, may call existing functions 22, subroutines or procedures in different orders, or may reference updated functions 22’, subroutines or procedures, as is the case shown in Figure lb. Indeed, the control firmware update may comprise any or all of an updated function; an updated subroutine; an updated procedure; and an updated library
When the actuator system is activated, the updated firmware starting address 18’ directs to the updated main firmware program 20’, which runs as per its logic. The preprogrammed main firmware program 20 may therefore no longer be utilised, nor are any of the redundant functions 22.
The above-described arrangement is an optimised configuration from a cost-effectiveness perspective. The more expensive EEPROM memory of the rewritable memory portion 12 can be maintained so as to have a minimal memory storage capacity, whilst all of the pre-programmed control firmware, inclusive of the pre-programmed main firmware program 20, is provided on the read-only memory 14. Since this will likely represent the greatest proportion of the control firmware, the use of the cheapest possible suitable readonly memory 14 in turn reduces the cost of the actuator system.
The size of the writable memory portion 16 can be chosen accordingly. This presents a balance between cost-effectiveness and the likely probability of one or more updates to the control firmware being required. The larger the writable memory portion 16, the greater the cost of the actuator system, since writable memory such as OTP memory is more expensive than ROM. However, too little writable memory will run the risk of there being insufficient memory storage capacity for future updates to the control firmware. The user may therefore wish to ensure that there is at least sufficient memory storage capacity for at least one updated main firmware program 20’ and at least one or more updated functions 22’. An appropriate ratio of the memory capacity of the writable memory portion 16 to that of the read-only memory portion 14 might be 10% to 30%. This conceivably provides sufficient memory storage capacity for multiple or very large updates, if necessary.
This method of updating a firmware for such an actuator system may therefore be summarised as comprising the steps of: providing a reprogrammable memory device 10 for an actuator of the actuator system, the reprogrammable memory device 10 having a first memory portion 12 which is reprogrammable memory, a second memory portion 14 which is read-only memory, and a third memory portion 16; pre-programming an initial state of the reprogrammable memory device 10 having pre-programmed control firmware including a pre-programmed main firmware program 20 and at least one of a preprogrammed function 22, subroutine, procedure or library thereof, the pre-programmed control firmware being stored entirely on the second memory portion 14, and a preprogrammed firmware starting address 18 being stored on the first memory portion 12; and c] communicating with the third memory portion 16 to store a control firmware update comprising at least an updated main firmware program 20’ thereon to update control firmware for the actuator and communicating with the first memory portion 12 to store an updated firmware starting address 18’ thereon.
Figures 2a and 2b show the memory map for a second embodiment of the reprogrammable memory device 110. Identical or similar reference numerals will be used to refer to identical or similar components of the previously described embodiment, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.
The memory architecture of the reprogrammable memory device 110 is broadly identical to that of the first embodiment, having a rewritable memory portion 112, a read-only memory portion 114, and a writable memory portion 116.
The difference here is that only the functions 22, subroutines, procedures and/or libraries of the control firmware are pre-programmed to the read-only memory portion 114, and instead the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 is stored in the writable memory 116. It will be apparent that the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 must not take up the full memory storage capacity of the writable memory 116, otherwise there will be no memory available which is in a writable state for future firmware updates.
The pre-programmed firmware starting address 118 is therefore programmed to direct to the relevant memory location in the writable memory portion 116, again, located in the rewritable memory portion 112.
On update of the firmware, the updated main firmware program 20’ can be written to the writable memory portion 116, as well as any updated functions 22’, and the updated firmware starting address 118’ applied to direct to the location of the updated main firmware program 20’.
Whilst this arrangement may be slightly more expensive to implement that that described in the first embodiment, since there is a greater use of OTP or similar memory compared with mask ROM, it may be that such an arrangement may be computationally beneficial. Alternatively, there may be manufacturing considerations; a read-only memory portion 114 which is applicable to all possible actuator systems, that is, those with different preprogrammed main firmware programs 20, may be mass-produced, reducing total manufacturing costs. The writable memory portion 116 can then be installed in the reprogrammable memory device 110 as a bespoke unit for a specific task.
This method of updating a firmware for such an actuator system may therefore be summarised as comprising the steps of: providing a reprogrammable memory device 110 for an actuator of the actuator system, the reprogrammable memory device 110 having a first memory portion 112 which is reprogrammable memory, a second memory portion 114 which is read-only memory, and a third memory portion 116; pre-programming an initial state of the reprogrammable memory device 110 having pre-programmed control firmware including a pre-programmed main firmware program 20 and at least one of a pre-programmed function 22, subroutine, procedure or library thereof, the or each preprogrammed function 22, subroutine, procedure or library being stored on the second memory portion 114 and the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 being stored on the third memory portion 116, and a pre-programmed firmware starting address 18 being stored on the first memory portion 12; and c] communicating with the third memory portion 116 to store a control firmware update comprising at least an updated main firmware program 20’ thereon to update control firmware for the actuator and communicating with the first memory portion 112 to store an updated firmware starting address 18’ thereon.
Figures 3a and 3b show the memory map for a third embodiment of the reprogrammable memory device 210. Identical or similar reference numerals will be used to refer to identical or similar reference components of the previously described embodiments, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.
In this arrangement, there are only two dedicated physical memory elements: a flash memory element 224 which has a rewritable memory portion 212 and a writable memory portion 216. As with the previous embodiment, all of the functions 22, subroutines, procedures and appropriate libraries are stored on the read-only memory portion 214.
Flash memory 224 is a rewritable memory, similar to EEPROM, and other erasable memory storage elements could be provided in lieu of the flash memory 224 herein described.
In the initial state, the pre-programmed firmware starting address 218 is stored in the rewritable portion 212 of the flash memory 224, and the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 is also located in the flash memory 224.
On update of the firmware, the updated main firmware program 20’ can be written to the writable memory portion 216 of the flash memory 224, as well as any updated functions
22’, and the updated firmware starting address 218’ applied to direct to the location of the updated main firmware program 20’.
Whilst the updated main firmware program 20’ is shown to be appended to the writable memory portion 216 of the flash memory 224, it will be apparent that, since flash memory 224 is overwritable, the pre-programmed main firmware program 20 could in fact be overwritten by the updated main firmware program 20, which could feasibly decrease the total memory storage capacity requirements of the actuator system. Therefore, although this arrangement utilises the most expensive of the components, since the total memory storage is potentially reduced, the option may still be viable from a cost perspective.
This method of updating a firmware for such an actuator system may therefore be summarised as comprising the steps of: providing a reprogrammable memory device 210 for an actuator of the actuator system, the reprogrammable memory device 210 having a first memory portion 212 which is reprogrammable memory, a second memory portion 214 which is read-only memory, and a third memory portion 216, wherein the first and third memory portions 212, 216 are provided on a single memory element 224; preprogramming an initial state of the reprogrammable memory device 210 having preprogrammed control firmware including a pre-programmed main firmware program 20 and at least one of a pre-programmed function 22, subroutine, procedure or library thereof, the or each pre-programmed function 22, subroutine, procedure 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 starting address 18 being stored on the first memory portion 12; and c] communicating with the third memory portion 216 to store a control firmware update comprising at least an updated main firmware program 20’ thereon to update control firmware for the actuator and communicating with the first memory portion 212 to store an updated firmware starting address 18’ thereon.
Whilst the third embodiment describes the rewritable and writable memory portions being formed as a single unit, it will be apparent that discrete units of the same memory type, for example, rewritable memory such as EEPROM or flash memory, could be used for the different functions without necessarily co-locating the physical memory units.
Furthermore, it may be feasible to provide a reprogrammable memory device for an actuator system, similarly to those described above, which only requires a first memory portion being read-only memory, and a second memory portion, preferably in this case being one-time programmable (OTP) memory.
In this case, ordinarily, the pre-programmed control firmware including a preprogrammed main firmware program is stored, for example, at the time of manufacture of the actuator system, on the reprogrammable memory device, and more particularly but not necessarily essentially on the first memory portion or at least the pre-programmed firmware starting address is so stored.
When an update is required based on received firmware update data, a control firmware update having at least an updated main firmware program is then stored on the second memory portion.
It is therefore possible to provide a memory architecture for an actuator system which is cost-effective, by bulk use of a read-only memory portion, but permitting firmware updates via rewritable and writable sections of the memory which can be remotely written. In automotive contexts, this has the advantage of reducing the maintenance requirements for an actuator system when firmware updates are necessary. This provides a large degree of flexibility for the actuator manufacturer to make later firmware corrections.
The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do 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 sub-combination.
The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.
Claims (22)
1. An actuator system comprising:
an actuator; and a reprogrammable memory device which is configured to store control firmware for the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device including a first memory portion which is reprogrammable memory having an initial firmware starting address stored thereon, a second memory portion which is read-only memory having pre-programmed control firmware stored thereon, and a third memory portion having memory which is in a writable state; and wherein, in an update condition implemented based on received firmware update data, a control firmware update is writable to the first and third memory portions, and the initial firmware starting address is overwritten by an updated firmware starting address.
2. An actuator system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-programmed control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program, and wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
3. An actuator system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pre-programmed main firmware program is stored on the third memory portion, wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
4. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first memory portion has a memory capacity that is not larger than a size required to store a single address.
5. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second memory portion has a greater memory capacity than the third memory portion, and the third memory portion has a greater memory capacity than the first memory portion.
6. An actuator system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the memory capacity of the third memory portion is in a range of 10% and 30% of the size of the memory capacity of the second memory portion.
7. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-programmed control firmware stored on the second memory portion comprises at least one function, subroutine or procedure library.
8. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first memory portion is provided as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
9. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second memory portion is provided as mask read-only memory.
10. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third memory portion is provided as non-erasable memory.
11. An actuator system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third memory portion is provided as one-time-programmable memory.
12. An actuator system comprising:
an actuator; and a reprogrammable memory device which is configured to store control firmware for the actuator, the reprogrammable memory device including a first memory portion which is reprogrammable memory having an initial firmware starting address stored thereon, and a second memory portion which is read-only memory having pre-programmed control firmware stored thereon; and wherein, in an update condition implemented based on received firmware update data, a control firmware update is written to the first memory portion.
13. An actuator system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pre-programmed control firmware comprises a pre-programmed main firmware program, and wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
14. An actuator system as claimed in claim 12, wherein a pre-programmed main firmware program is stored on the first memory portion, wherein the initial firmware starting address directs to the pre-programmed main firmware program.
15. An actuator system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein in the update condition, the initial firmware starting address is overwritten by an updated firmware starting address.
16. An actuator system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the first memory portion is provided as flash memory.
17. An actuator system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the second memory portion is provided as mask read-only memory.
18. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reprogrammable memory device is mounted onboard the actuator.
19. An actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bus coupled with the reprogrammable memory device via which firmware update data is transmissible to the reprogrammable memory device.
20. A vehicle system comprising at least one actuator system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
21. An automobile HVAC system comprising at least one actuator system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.
22. A method of updating a firmware for an actuator system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, the method comprising the steps of:
a] communicating with the reprogrammable memory device to provide the firmware update data; and
b] writing the control firmware update to the reprogrammable memory device, the control firmware update comprising at least an updated main firmware program and an updated firmware starting address, the updated firmware starting address being stored on the first memory portion.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1811394.4A GB2575482B (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2018-07-12 | Actuator system with reprogrammable memory |
| DE102019118577.7A DE102019118577A1 (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2019-07-09 | Actuator system with reprogrammable memory |
| CN201910616445.5A CN110716725A (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2019-07-09 | Actuator system, vehicle system, and updating method thereof |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1811394.4A GB2575482B (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2018-07-12 | Actuator system with reprogrammable memory |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201811394D0 GB201811394D0 (en) | 2018-08-29 |
| GB2575482A true GB2575482A (en) | 2020-01-15 |
| GB2575482B GB2575482B (en) | 2023-04-12 |
Family
ID=63273226
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1811394.4A Active GB2575482B (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2018-07-12 | Actuator system with reprogrammable memory |
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| CN (1) | CN110716725A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE102019118577A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2575482B (en) |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201811394D0 (en) | 2018-08-29 |
| GB2575482B (en) | 2023-04-12 |
| DE102019118577A1 (en) | 2020-01-16 |
| CN110716725A (en) | 2020-01-21 |
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Owner name: JOHNSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL AG Free format text: FORMER OWNER: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A. |
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