KR100872180B1 - Apparatus, system and method for remotely upgrading the firmware of a device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for upgrading the firmware of an electronic device is provided to remotely upgrade the firmware of the electronic device which is located at a distance place as having no communication means. An apparatus for remotely upgrading the firmware of an electronic device comprises the followings: the first data transceiver(440) which receives commands and messages from a management server or transmits them to the management server; a wireless data converting unit(420) which converts a part of commands and messages so as to be included in a short message; a memory(450) for storing a new firmware program received from the management server; the second data transceiver(410) which transmits or receives the commands and messages to or from the electronic device; and a central control part controlling the operation overall.

Description

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY UPGRADING THE FIRMWARE OF A DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a remote firmware upgrade apparatus, system and method, and more particularly, to a remote firmware upgrade apparatus, system and method for remotely upgrading the firmware of an electronic device that does not have a communication means.

Firmware generally refers to a micro program that controls hardware stored in a ROM. It is the same as software in terms of a program, but it is distinguished from general application software in that it is closely related to hardware. Thus, firmware has both characteristics of software and hardware.

For example, if you make hardware that functions, if you make all the circuits that control it only in hardware, the structure becomes very complicated and even difficult to express logically.

In such a case, a large part of the software is replaced, but the memory stored in the software is configured as a central part of the control circuit of the hardware, so that the problem can be solved very simply and at low cost. The hardware software created in this way is called firmware.

In this case, the hardware has a software characteristic because it does not have a separate logic circuit, but from the software perspective, it can be described as having a hardware characteristic because the micro program controls the hardware.

On the other hand, the firmware needs to be reinstalled as a new firmware program in order to improve the performance of the electronic device or to solve the error. This is commonly referred to as "firmware upgrade," which is to prepare a new firmware program, and then download and install the new firmware program in an appropriate manner to the corresponding electronic device.

At this time, in the case of an electronic device having a communication means capable of data communication, in order to perform the upgrade to a new firmware provided from a remote location, the electronic device provides new firmware such as a firmware transmission server at a remote location through a communication network. After downloading the firmware program by connecting the means, a number of methods for performing a firmware upgrade have been proposed.

On the other hand, in the case of an electronic device which is not equipped with a communication means, it is not easy to upgrade the firmware. As electronic devices become more advanced and more functional, there is an increasing need to upgrade the firmware program with microprocessors and for continuous performance improvement and error correction.

However, in the case of an electronic device having no communication means, there is a problem in that a procedure for downloading a new firmware program to the electronic device is not easy.

For example, in order to download a firmware program to the electronic device, a new firmware program is first prepared in a computer equipment such as a PC. Then, there is a method of performing a firmware upgrade by downloading a new firmware program to the electronic device by connecting the computer equipment and the electronic device through a serial port or a USB port.

However, when the firmware upgrade is performed in this manner, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform the firmware upgrade at a remote location away from the electronic device.

Therefore, there has been a steady request for the invention of a universal remote firmware upgrade apparatus and method for firmware upgrade of an electronic device which is not equipped with a communication means.

The present invention has been conceived to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for upgrading a remote firmware of an electronic device which is not provided with a communication means.

In order to achieve the above object, the remote firmware upgrade apparatus according to the present invention receives a new firmware program from a management server outside the remote firmware upgrade apparatus, and manages the commands and messages required for transmission and reception of the new firmware program. A first data transmission / reception unit received from a server or transmitted to the management server, a wireless data conversion unit converting a part of the command and the message transmitted to the management server to be included in a short message, and received from the management server. A storage unit for storing the new firmware program, transmitting the new firmware program to the electronic device, and transmitting or receiving the command and the message necessary for the transmission and reception of the new firmware program to the electronic device or from the electronic device. 2nd day Receives the transmitting and receiving unit and the new firmware program from the management server comprises a central control unit for controlling the overall operation required to transmit to the electronic device.

In addition, the remote firmware upgrade management server according to the present invention transmits a new firmware program to a remote firmware upgrade apparatus external to the remote firmware upgrade server connected through a mobile communication network, and transmits a command and a message necessary for transmitting and receiving the new firmware program. A wireless data transmission / reception unit to be transmitted to or received from a remote firmware upgrade device, a wireless data analysis unit to analyze the command and message received from the remote firmware upgrade device, and to be transmitted to the remote firmware upgrade device A data storage unit for storing at least one new firmware program for the electronic device and the new firmware program to the electronic device via the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; W includes a management controller for controlling the overall operation required.

In addition, the remote firmware upgrade system according to the present invention includes a remote firmware upgrade device having a mobile communication module, connected to a wireless network of a mobile communication network through the mobile communication module, and managed to be connected to a wired network of the mobile communication network. It includes a server, and transmits the new firmware program for the electronic device connected to the remote firmware upgrade device from the management server to the remote firmware upgrade device, and then to the electronic device again.

The remote firmware upgrade method according to the present invention includes receiving a new firmware program related to a specific electronic device from a management server through a mobile communication network, and transmitting the new firmware program to the electronic device.

In addition, the remote firmware upgrade method according to another aspect of the present invention, the management server to prepare for the transmission of the new firmware program for the electronic device to the remote firmware upgrade device, the management server through the mobile communication network And transmitting the new firmware program to a remote firmware upgrade apparatus.

By using the remote firmware upgrade system and method of the mobile communication repeater according to the present invention, even if the electronic device does not have a communication means to remotely upgrade the firmware of the electronic device without having to go directly to the site where the electronic device is installed Can be.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element in between. .

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding other components unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, the terms “… unit”, “… unit”, “module”, etc. described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. have.

In this specification, a mobile station (MS) is a terminal, a mobile terminal (MT), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station (PSS), a user equipment (User Equipment). It may also refer to a user equipment (UE), an access terminal (AT), and the like, and may include all or some functions of a mobile terminal, a subscriber station, a portable subscriber station, a user device, and the like.

In the present specification, a base station (BS) is an access point (AP), a radio access station (Radio Access Station, RAS), a Node B (Node B), a base transceiver station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS), MMR ( Mobile Multihop Relay) -BS and the like, and may include all or part of functions such as an access point, a radio access station, a Node B, a base transceiver station, and an MMR-BS.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding other components unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, the terms “… unit”, “… unit”, “module”, “block”, etc. described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. It can be implemented as.

Now, a remote firmware upgrade apparatus, system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a remote firmware upgrade system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the remote firmware upgrade system 1 includes a management server 50 for transmitting a stored new firmware program through the mobile communication network 30, and receives a new firmware program from the management server. It includes a firmware upgrade apparatus 10 for retransmitting to the device 20 and a mobile communication network 30 connecting them.

The procedure of upgrading the firmware of the electronic device 20 to the new firmware program will be described below.

The management server 50 stores a new firmware program to be applied to the electronic device 20. If a situation in which the firmware of the electronic device 20 needs to be upgraded occurs, a new firmware program stored in the management server 50 is transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus 10 through the mobile communication network 30.

The new firmware program is transmitted from the management server 50 to the firmware upgrade apparatus 10 and temporarily stored in the firmware upgrade apparatus 10, and then transmitted again from the firmware upgrade apparatus 10 to the electronic device 20.

At this time, the communication path 15 between the firmware upgrade apparatus 10 and the electronic device 20 is a communication path capable of transmitting and receiving a new firmware program and transmitting and receiving a control signal necessary for transmitting and receiving a new firmware program. It can cover a wide range of paths. For example, the firmware upgrade apparatus 10 and the electronic device 20 may be connected to each other by wired serial communication through two lines, and may be connected to wireless infrared communication, wireless Bluetooth communication, and various short-range wired / wireless communication paths. Can be connected by.

When the new firmware program is transmitted to the electronic device 20, the firmware upgrade is performed to the new firmware program according to the firmware upgrade rule of the electronic device 20.

By going through such a procedure, a new firmware program stored in a remote server is transmitted to an electronic device having no communication means, thereby enabling firmware upgrade of the electronic device.

The electronic device 20 shown in FIG. 1 covers a wide range of electronic devices having firmware but not having a separate communication means. For example, the electronic device of FIG. 1 may be a home appliance such as a refrigerator, a TV, a washing machine, which includes firmware but does not have a separate communication means, or may be a mobile communication repeater.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a remote firmware upgrade system of a mobile communication repeater according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 20 of FIG. 1 corresponds to the mobile communication repeater 20a of FIG. 2. Similarly, each of the components of the remote firmware upgrade system 1 of FIG. 1, the firmware upgrade apparatus 10, the mobile communication networks 30, 31, and 32, and the management server 50 are the remote firmware upgrade system 1a of FIG. 2. Corresponding to each of the components of the firmware upgrade apparatus 10a, mobile communication networks (30a, 31a, 32a) and the management server (50a).

When a mobile service provider provides a mobile communication service, the service provider considers the density of mobile communication traffic, the distribution of subscribers in the service area, and the quality of service required for the mobile communication network. A plurality of base stations 33a are installed at the positions.

Nevertheless, repeater 20a for re-amplifying the base station signal is further installed at the point where the electric field strength is insufficient in order to minimize the so-called shadow area in the service providing area and to provide more improved mobile communication service. do.

Currently, K-Phototel Co., Ltd. operates about 200,000 to 300,000 small and large repeaters such as RF (Radio Frequency) repeaters, ICS repeaters, optical repeaters, microwave (M / W) repeaters, and wave repeaters.

On the other hand, such a repeater 20a needs continuous management, maintenance and firmware (firmware) upgrade in order to continuously provide the optimum call quality to the subscriber in the mobile communication network.

In the beginning of the mobile communication business, the field operator visited the site where the repeater 20a was installed to check the condition of the repeater 20a and performed necessary work. However, as the number of repeaters 20a increases exponentially, there is a problem that the manpower, cost, and time required for managing the repeaters 20a become enormous.

In order to solve this problem, the firmware upgrade for the remote repeater 20a is performed as the remote firmware upgrade system 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2.

The remote upgrade system 1a of the mobile communication repeater according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a management server 50a and a firmware upgrade apparatus 10a that manage the repeater upgrade process in the mobile communication network 30a.

First, a new firmware program to be applied to the repeater 20a is stored in the management server 50. If a situation in which the firmware of the repeater 20a needs to be upgraded occurs, a new firmware program stored in the management server 50a is transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus 10a through the mobile communication network 30a.

The firmware upgrade apparatus 10a communicates with the management server 50a side using the mobile communication module provided. In addition, the firmware upgrade apparatus 10a is mounted inside or outside the repeater 20a and communicates with the repeater 20a side via wired or wirelessly via the predefined communication interface 15a.

When the new firmware program is transmitted to the repeater 20a, the firmware upgrade is performed to the new firmware program according to the own firmware upgrade rule of the repeater 20a.

3 is a block diagram illustrating components of the management server of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 300 includes a wireless data transmission / reception unit 310, a wireless data analysis unit 320, a data storage unit 330, and a management control unit 340.

The wireless data transmission / reception unit 310 transmits and receives wireless data through a TCP / IP access network which is concluded with a firmware upgrade apparatus through a mobile communication network.

The wireless data analyzer 320 analyzes wireless data received from the firmware upgrade apparatus, for example, various commands or messages, and transmits a response message accordingly.

The data storage unit 330 stores various new firmware programs according to the repeater manufacturer, the repeater model, the version, and the like. Therefore, the repeater requiring a firmware upgrade can transmit a new firmware program suitable for any model of any manufacturer.

The management controller 340 calculates the CRC value of the new firmware program and controls the overall operation of the management server 300 such as performing firmware retransmission in response to the firmware retransmission request message from the firmware upgrade apparatus.

4 is a block diagram illustrating components of the firmware upgrade apparatus of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the firmware upgrade apparatus 400 includes a second data transceiver 410, a wireless data converter 420, a central controller 430, a first data transceiver 440, and a storage device ( 450).

The second data transceiver 410 is a communication module that is responsible for the transmission and reception of various data such as messages and commands exchanged between the firmware upgrade apparatus 400 and the repeater.

In this embodiment, two lines are connected between the second data transceiver 410 and the repeater of the firmware upgrade apparatus 400, and thus, wired serial communication is performed through these lines. However, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, if the communication interface between the repeater and the firmware upgrade apparatus 400 is a communication path capable of transmitting and receiving a new firmware program and transmitting and receiving a control signal for transmitting and receiving a new firmware program, It can cover various communication paths such as wireless infrared communication and wireless Bluetooth communication.

Next, the wireless data converter 420 converts the data transmitted and received in the form of a short message (SMS) among the data, such as a message transmitted and received between the management server and the firmware upgrade apparatus 400, into a packet-type wireless data including a short message. Module to convert.

The central control unit 430 controls the overall operation performed by the firmware upgrade apparatus 400 for the new firmware upgrade.

The first data transmission / reception unit 440 is a communication interface module that is responsible for the transmission and reception of various data such as messages and commands to and from the management server. Since the first data transmission / reception unit 440 is a kind of mobile communication terminal, it has a unique telephone number and communicates with the management server side through the mobile communication network.

The storage unit 450 is a data storage module for storing a new firmware program received from the management server. The storage unit 450 may be a flash memory according to an embodiment. However, the storage unit 450 is not limited to the flash memory alone, and any storage device such as a hard disk drive may be used as long as the storage unit 450 can achieve the purpose of storing and transmitting a new firmware program to the repeater controller.

Meanwhile, the firmware upgrade apparatus may be installed inside or outside the repeater. For example, the firmware upgrade apparatus may be installed in the repeater enclosure. In addition, it is also possible to design to receive the power of the firmware upgrade apparatus from the repeater power supply.

Meanwhile, the firmware upgrade apparatus 400 may be reset by a reset signal input from the repeater through the second data transceiver 410.

5 is a block diagram showing the components of a repeater to which the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is applied.

The repeater 500 of FIG. 5 is a general type repeater that amplifies a base station signal, and includes a band separator 510 and 540, a wireless signal processor 520 and 530, a link antenna 550, a service antenna 560, and a repeater. Controller 570.

Each of the wireless signal processors 520 and 530 further includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) module 520a and 530a, an IF module 520b and 530b, and a high power amplifier (HPA) module 520c and 530c.

The band separators 510 and 540 are a processing path for outputting an RF signal of a base station input through the link antenna 550 to the service side through the service antenna 560, and an RF signal of the service side input through the service antenna 560. To separate the processing path for outputting to the base station through the link antenna 550.

The LNA modules 520a and 530a low noise amplify RF signals input through the link antenna 550 and the service antenna 160.

IF modules 520b and 530b adjust the gain for the signals amplified by the LNA modules 520 and 560 respectively, downconvert the frequency to convert it to an intermediate frequency, filter it, and then upconvert and amplify the frequency to produce the same signal. do.

The HPA modules 520c and 530c output the signals output from the IF modules 520b and 530b to the service antenna 560 and the link antenna 550, respectively.

The repeater controller 570 manages setting data inside the repeater 500 and controls the wireless signal processing units 520 and 530 inside the repeater 500.

In addition, the repeater controller 570 temporarily receives the new firmware program from the firmware upgrade apparatus.

In addition, the repeater controller 570 receives the new firmware program from the firmware upgrade apparatus and controls the overall operation of performing the repeater firmware upgrade.

Although the mobile communication repeater is described as an example of an electronic device whose firmware is upgraded in the present embodiment, even if the mobile communication repeater is not included, the second controller shown in FIG. 4 includes a microcontroller corresponding to the repeater controller 570. Of course, any electronic device that is connected to the transceiver and can communicate with the remote firmware upgrade apparatus can perform the remote firmware upgrade according to the present invention.

The following describes the commands and messages used between the management server of the remote firmware upgrade system and the firmware upgrade device and repeater controller.

Table 1 shows the commands and messages transmitted from the management server to the firmware upgrade device.

Abbreviation designation REP_FW_DLOAD_CMD (SMS) Firmware Upgrade Request Command TCP_MODEM_ID_REQ (TCP / IP) ID request command TCP_FW_SIZE_TX Firmware Specification Message TCP_FW_TX (N) Firmware Transfer Message (N is 0 or Natural Number) TCP_FW_CRC_REQ CRC calculation message TCP_END_REQ Exit message

Looking at each of them in more detail as follows.

First, the firmware upgrade request command is a command for requesting a firmware upgrade of the repeater from the management server to the firmware upgrade device side.

The management server sends a firmware upgrade request command using a short message (SMS), and in response, the firmware upgrade apparatus makes a connection to the management server by the TCP / IP protocol.

Table 1a below shows an example of the format of the firmware upgrade request command.

division IP1 IP2 IP3 IP4 PORT Byte (19) 3 3 3 3 5

As shown in Table 1A, the firmware upgrade request command has a length of 19 bytes.

Among them, IP1 to IP4 indicate the IP address of the download server, and one of the natural number values of 0 to 255 is stored in a space of 3 bytes.

The port indicates a port number of the download server, and one of natural values of 0 to 65535 is stored in 5 bytes of space.

Next, the ID request command is a command for requesting a phone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus. The firmware upgrade apparatus returns an ID response message to the management server side in response to the ID request command.

The ID request command is transmitted to the TCP / IP protocol through the TCP / IP connection path between the management server and the remote firmware upgrade device. This TCP / IP connection path is connected by the firmware upgrade apparatus in response to the firmware upgrade request command.

Table 1b is a table showing an example of the format of the ID request command.

division START CMD TAIL Byte (3) One One One

As shown in Table 1b, the ID request command has a length of 5 bytes, and the START, CMD, and TAIL fields each occupy 1 byte.

START is 0x00, CMD is 0x01, and TAIL is 0x7E. On the other hand, the CRC applies a 16-bit CRC, and calculates from START to the front of the CRC.

Next, the firmware specification message is a message in which the management server informs the firmware upgrade apparatus of the repeater's firmware size (SIZE) and name (FWNAME).

Table 1c is a table showing an example of the format of the firmware specification message.

division CMD SIZE Firmware Name (FWNAME) CRC TAIL Byte (15) One 6 5 2 One

As shown in Table 1c, the firmware specification message is 15 bytes long.

Where START is 0x00 and CMD is 0x02.

The SIZE field indicating the size of the firmware file is a six-digit integer and includes a file size value expressed in bytes.

On the other hand, the firmware name (FWNAME) field is composed of 5 bytes, and further includes the information of Table 1d below.

Repeater Code (RCODE) Repeater manufacturers Controller manufacturer Version Information 2 bytes 1 byte 1 byte 1 byte

The repeater code (RCODE) field contains a unique code assigned to each repeater's model to identify the repeater's model. Repeaters of the same model are assigned the same repeater coder. The repeater manufacturer code field contains a unique code that is assigned to each manufacturer that manufactured the repeater. The controller manufacturer field contains a unique code that is assigned to each manufacturer that manufactures the repeater's controller. The version information field includes a value regarding the version of the firmware.

In addition, the CRC field includes a 16-bit CRC value and is used to check CRC errors for the entire firmware program.

Also, TAIL is 0x7E.

Next, the firmware transmission message is a message including a new firmware program transmitted from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus.

The new firmware program to be upgraded is transmitted in a series of firmware transmission messages divided into, for example, 4096 bytes.

Table 1e is a table regarding an example of a firmware transmission message format.

division START CMD INDEX DATA CRC TAIL Bytes (4096) One One 3 4088 2 One

As shown in Table 1e, the size of the actual firmware data block included in one firmware transmission message and transmitted is 4,088 bytes except for the overhead.

Each field of overhead data is as follows.

The START field is one byte of 0x00, the CMD is one byte of 0x03, and INDEX is a three-digit integer data field that stores an index of a data block currently transmitted when the firmware program is divided into 4,088 bytes. In addition, the CRC field includes a 16-bit CRC value and calculates from START to the front of the CRC field. TAIL is one byte of 0x7E.

The firmware upgrade apparatus does not transmit the reception of each block of the firmware transmission message one by one, but instead requests retransmission from the corresponding index only when the index is lost.

The CRC calculated value message is a message for the management server to transmit the calculated value of checking the CRC error of the entire firmware to the firmware upgrade apparatus.

The firmware upgrade apparatus checks the CRC error by calculating the CRC value independently for the entire firmware received from the management server and comparing it with the calculated value of the CRC calculated value message.

Table 1f is a table showing an example of the CRC calculated value message format.

division START CMD RESULT FCRC CRC TAIL Byte (8) One One One 2 2 One

At this time, the START field is 1 byte of 0x00, CMD is 1 byte of 0x05, and RESULT is information on whether the CRC calculation value of the management server matches the CRC calculation value of the firmware upgrade apparatus. For example, 0x00 can be a match, and 0x01 can be a mismatch. FCRC includes the CRC calculated by the monitoring module. In addition, the CRC field includes a 16-bit CRC value and calculates from START to the front of the CRC field. TAIL is one byte of 0x7E.

Next, the end message is a command for terminating the TCP / IP network connection between the management server and the firmware upgrade apparatus.

The management server sends this command when the transmission of new firmware is completed or when the transmission is terminated due to an error or the like.

Table 1g is a table showing an example of an end message format.

division START CMD FLAG CRC TAIL Byte (6) One One One 2 One

The flag bit for the START field is 0x00 and the flag bit for the CMD field is 0x06.

The flag bit for the FLAG field can be set to the FLAG = 0x00 flag when the new firmware has been transferred, or to the FLAG = 0x01 flag when the error is terminated due to an error.

In addition, the CRC field includes a 16-bit CRC value and calculates from START to the front of the CRC field. TAIL is one byte of 0x7E.

Table 2 summarizes signals transmitted by the firmware upgrade apparatus to the management server.

Abbreviation designation TCP_MODEM_ID_RES ID response message TCP_FW_SIZE_RX Firmware Specification Response Message TCP_FW_RT_REQ (N) Firmware Resend Request Message TCP_FW_CRC_RES CRC comparison result response message TCP_END_RES Exit response message REP_FW_DLOAD_RES Firmware download result message

Looking at each of them in more detail as follows.

First, the ID response message is a message for responding to the management server side the phone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus.

Table 2a shows an example of an ID response message format.

division START CMD ID CRC TAIL Byte (16) One One 11 2 One

As shown in the above table, the telephone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus is included in the ID field and transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the management server in the ID response message, and all 11-digit telephone numbers are transmitted.

Since the first data transmission / reception unit 440 of FIG. 4 included in the firmware upgrade apparatus is a kind of mobile communication terminal, it has been described above with reference to FIG. 4.

The START field is 1 byte, the flag bit is 0x00, the CMD field is 1 byte, the flag bit is 0x01, the TAIL field is 1 byte, and the flag bit is 0x7E. The CRC field contains a 16-bit CRC value and calculates from START to the front of the CRC.

Next, the firmware specification response message is a message returned by the firmware upgrade apparatus in response to the firmware specification message transmitted from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus.

Table 2b is a table showing an example of a firmware specification response message format.

division START CMD CRC TAIL Byte (5) One One 2 One

As shown in the table above, the firmware specification response message consists of four fields: START, CMD, CRC, and TAIL. The START field contains 1 byte of 0x00 flag bits, CMD has 1 byte of 0x02 flag bits, and TAIL contains 1 byte of 0x7E flag bits.The CRC field contains a 16-bit CRC value and calculates from START to the front of the CRC. .

Next, the firmware retransmission request message receives a firmware program in units of 4096 bytes (4088 bytes) through a firmware transmission message transmitted from the management server, and requests to resend the message about the index when the index is lost. to be.

When the firmware retransmission request message is received from the firmware upgrade apparatus, the management server retransmits from the firmware transmission message regarding the corresponding index.

Table 2c shows an example of a firmware retransmission request message format.

division START CMD INDEX CRC TAIL Byte (8) One One 3 2 One

As shown in Table 2c, the index field stores a 3-digit integer value for the index to request retransmission. In addition, the START field has one byte of 0x00 flag bits, CMD has one byte of 0x04 flag bits, and TAIL has one byte of 0x7E flag bits.The CRC field contains a 16-bit CRC value, which is calculated from START to the front of the CRC. Do it.

Next, the CRC comparison result response message is a message for notifying the management server of the result of comparing the CRC calculation value included in the CRC calculation value message received from the management server with the CRC value directly calculated by the firmware upgrade apparatus.

If the two calculated values are inconsistent, a CRC error occurs, and if the error is transmitted to the management server through the CRC calculated value message, the management server retransmits the firmware program from the beginning. If an error occurs again after performing a single retransmission, the retransmission may not be attempted any more. In this case, an effect of preventing an overload of the system due to the retransmission may be expected.

Table 2d is a table showing an example of a CRC comparison result response message format.

division START CMD RESULT FCRC CRC TAIL Byte (8) One One One 2 2 One

As shown in Table 2d, the CRC comparison value is stored in the RESULT field with a size of 1 byte. If a CRC error does not occur, that is, a flag bit indicating success is 0x00, or a CRC error occurs. The flag bit indicating failure is 0x01.

The FCRC field stores the CRC calculation value for the entire firmware program calculated by the firmware upgrade apparatus as 2 bytes.

In addition, the START field has one byte of 0x00 flag bits, CMD has one byte of 0x05 flag bits, and TAIL has one byte of 0x7E flag bits.The CRC field contains a 16-bit CRC value. Do it.

Next, the termination response message is a response message to the termination message sent from the management server.

Table 2e is a table showing an example of an end response message format.

division START CMD FLAG CRC TAIL Byte (6) One One One 2 One

As shown in Table 2e, one-byte data is stored in the FLAG field, which is one of a flag bit (0x00) indicating a success of a new firmware program transmission and a flag bit (0x01) indicating a failure.

If FLAG = 0x00, the firmware upgrade device should notify the repeater controller that there is a firmware download event.

In addition, if FLAG = 0x01, it sends a response message to the management server side, terminates the TCP / IP connection, and returns to the standby state.

In addition, the START field has one byte of 0x00 flag bits, CMD has one byte of 0x06 flag bits, and TAIL has one byte of 0x7E flag bits.The CRC field contains a 16-bit CRC value. Do it.

Next, the firmware download result message is a message in which the firmware upgrade apparatus transmits the firmware program to the relay side and then transmits the transmission result to the management server side.

Table 2f is a table showing an example of the firmware download result message format.

division CMD SEQ # RESULT Byte (7) 2 4 One

As shown in Table 2f, the sequence number (SEQ #) is a serial number for estimating packet loss, and specifies a serial number of at least 0000 up to 9999.

RESULT classifies the firmware download result into several types and assigns each byte a 1-byte numeric code. The firmware upgrade apparatus stores the firmware download result value in the RESULT field of the firmware download result message which is transmitted to the management server. The result of the firmware download can be considered as eight types as shown in Table 2-7 below.

RESULT Explanation 0 Firmware download success One Repeater not responding (no response for $ FWLOAD) 2 Firmware Name Error 3 Total CRC Fail 4 Firmware Write Fail 5 Timeout Error 6 Block CRC Fail 7 Wrong Firmware

Table 3 summarizes the signals transmitted by the firmware upgrade apparatus to the repeater controller.

Abbreviation designation $ FWDLOAD Firmware download command

Looking at this in more detail as follows.

The firmware download command is a command for instructing the download of the firmware program to the management server in order to transmit the new firmware program from the management server to the relay side after receiving the new firmware program.

The firmware upgrade apparatus transmits this command to the repeater controller after a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has passed after the transmission of the new firmware program from the management server.

The repeater controller responds to this command with a firmware specification check command (AT $ FWINFO?) Before a predetermined timeout time elapses (eg within 3 seconds). If there is no response until the predetermined timeout time elapses from the repeater controller, the download result message is transmitted to the management server. In this case, as shown in Table 2g, the RESULT field value is set to 1 to report that the firmware download has failed.

On the other hand, OK0D0A is not output for firmware download.

Table 3a shows an example of a firmware download command format.

Command $ FWDLOAD0D0A

Table 4 summarizes the signals that the repeater controller sends to the firmware upgrade device.

Abbreviation designation AT $ FWINFO? Firmware Specification Check Command AT $ FWEND = N Firmware Split Transfer Command AT $ FWRD = N Firmware download exit command

Looking at each of them in more detail as follows.

First, the firmware specification check command is a command transmitted from the repeater controller to the firmware upgrade device side in response to the firmware download command from the firmware upgrade device.

As mentioned in the foregoing description of the firmware download command, the repeater controller transmits a firmware specification check command to the firmware upgrade device side after a predetermined time elapses after receiving the firmware download command.

Table 4a shows an example of a firmware specification check command and response format.

Command AT $ FWINFO? 0D0A answer $ FWINFO: FWNAME, SIZE, TOTALCRC0D0A

The firmware upgrade apparatus returns the specification information of the firmware in response to the firmware specification check command from the repeater controller side.

The specification information of the firmware includes a repeater code (RCODE) of 2 bytes, a repeater manufacturer code, a controller manufacturer code, and version information each having a size of 1 byte, as described above with reference to Table 1c.

In addition, the size information of the firmware specification information includes the size information of the firmware program as a 6-digit integer in byte units.

The TOTALCRC item also contains a 16-bit CRC value for the entire firmware program.

 Next, the firmware divided transfer command is a command that the repeater controller requests the firmware upgrade apparatus to divide and transmit the firmware program into blocks of 512 byte units.

In each block divided into 512 byte units, the actual firmware program data excluding the overhead is 496 bytes.

The overhead includes four bytes of $ FWRD, four bytes of index (INDEX), four bytes of CRC value, and two bytes of 0D0A value.

The firmware upgrade apparatus converts all values of the data field and the CRC field into 2-digit ASCII Hex Codes and transmits them. At this time, since the data field is divided into two digits and transmitted, the actual firmware program data becomes 248 bytes, which is half of 496 bytes.

The number N of all blocks is calculated as in Equation 1 below.

N = (size of firmware program / 248)

At this time, the total number of times of receiving the divided firmware program block is ( N + 1) times.

On the other hand, in the N- th block, nothing is filled in the remaining bytes after the last part of the firmware program, and is immediately transmitted with 0D0A attached.

Each time the repeater controller receives one firmware program block, the repeater controller calculates a CRC value of the corresponding block and compares the CRC value transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus. If the two CRC values are the same, there is no transmission error. If the two CRC values are different, the block is requested to be retransmitted up to 3 times. If the CRC values are different from the third time, a code indicating that a CRC error has occurred in the corresponding block is used in the firmware download end command described later (AT $ FWEND = 6) Indicates that the firmware download failed.

When receiving the first block of the new firmware program, the repeater compares the current firmware program and the boot area of the new firmware program to determine whether the firmware program is correct. If the firmware programs do not match, the firmware download fails by using a code indicating wrong firmware (AT $ FWEND = 7) in the firmware download end command described later.

Table 4b is a table showing an example of a firmware split transfer command and its response format.

Command AT $ FWRD = INDEX0D0A answer $ FWRD: INDEXDATACRC0D0A

Here, the index INDEX is an index of four digit integers for the corresponding block of the new firmware program.

When the firmware split transfer command of the repeater controller for the corresponding index is transmitted, in response, the firmware upgrade apparatus transmits the index, the data block for the corresponding index of the new firmware program, and the CRC.

Data is the actual data of the corresponding block of the new firmware program. The data size is 496/2 = 248 bytes because it is divided into 2-digits because it is transmitted in 2-digit ASCII hex code. Has been described above.

Similarly, since the CRC value is transmitted as a 2-digit ASCII hex code, it is divided into 2-digits and thus has a size of 4 bytes.

Next, the firmware download end command is a command that the repeater controller requests the firmware upgrade device to end the download of the firmware program.

Table 4c is a table showing an example of the firmware download end command and its response format.

Command AT $ FWEND = CODE answer OK0D0A or ERROR0D0A

The repeater controller transmits a 1 byte code indicating the cause of the termination in the firmware download termination command. The firmware upgrade apparatus returns an OK or ERROR in response to the firmware download end command.

Table 4d is a table listing 1-byte codes indicating the cause of firmware download termination. Each code value of Table 4d corresponds to the download result RESULT described with reference to Table 2g above.

CODE Explanation 0 Firmware download success One Repeater not responding (no response for $ FWLOAD) 2 Firmware Name Error 3 Total CRC Fail 4 Firmware Write Fail 5 Timeout Error 6 Block CRC Fail 7 Wrong Firmware

6 is a diagram showing the flow of repeater firmware upgrade according to the remote firmware upgrade method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 6, the remote firmware upgrade method of the repeater is a step of transmitting a new firmware program from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus (S100), and the step of transmitting the new firmware program from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the repeater controller ( S200) is made.

On the other hand, the new firmware program is transmitted to the repeater controller, and comprises the step of installing the new firmware according to the firmware upgrade algorithm of the repeater controller (S300).

7 is a flow diagram illustrating FIG. 6 in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 7, the step of transmitting the new firmware program from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus includes preparing a new firmware program transmission step (S110 ˜ S131) between the management server and the firmware upgrade apparatus, and from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus. It further comprises a new firmware program transmission step (S140 ~ S161).

The new firmware program transmission preparation step (S110 ~ S131) between the management server and the firmware upgrade device is a step (S110) where a communication network connection request is made from the management server to the firmware upgrade device side again, and the communication network connection between the firmware upgrade device and the management server. The fastening step (S111) and the modem ID identification step (S120 ~ S121) further comprises.

First, the communication network connection request (S110) from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus side is made by transmitting the firmware upgrade request command (REP_FW_DLOAD_CMD) shown in Table 1 by the management server. The firmware upgrade request command is transmitted using a short message (SMS).

When the firmware upgrade apparatus receives the firmware upgrade request command, the firmware upgrade apparatus immediately connects to the communication network without a response such as an OK / ERROR for the command (S111). The connection of the communication network can be made by the TCP / IP protocol. In this case, network information (IP address and port number, etc.) included in the firmware upgrade request command of Table 1a is used.

When the TCP / IP connection is concluded, the management server requests the phone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus by the ID request command (TCP_MODEM_ID_REQ) of Table 1 to identify the firmware upgrade apparatus (S120).

When the firmware upgrade apparatus receives the ID request command, the firmware upgrade apparatus returns to the management server including the telephone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus in the ID response message (TCP_MODEM_ID_RES) (S121).

After receiving the ID response message, the management server determines whether the telephone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus included in the message matches the telephone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus stored in the management server.

If the phone number of the firmware upgrade apparatus stored in the management server and the telephone number transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus match, the management server transmits the name and size information of the new firmware to be transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus (S130). These information are included in the firmware specification message (TCP_FW_SIZE_TX) as described in Table 1c above.

Upon receiving the firmware specification message from the management server, the firmware upgrade apparatus returns the firmware specification response message described in Table 2b to the management server, and stores the firmware name included in the message (S131).

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow in a case where telephone numbers relating to remote firmware upgrade apparatuses do not match.

The management server determines whether the telephone number of the stored firmware upgrade apparatus and the telephone number transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus match (S122). If the two telephone numbers do not match, the management server issues a TCP / IP termination command by transmitting the termination message of Table 1g to the firmware upgrade apparatus (S123). Upon receiving the termination message, the firmware upgrade apparatus terminates the TCP / IP connection between the management server, and transmits the termination response message of Table 2e to the management server and returns to the idle state (S124).

7 again, the detailed flow of the step of transmitting a new firmware program from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus is as follows.

When the firmware upgrade apparatus returns a firmware specification response message (S131), the management server divides the new firmware program into blocks of 4096-byte units and displays each block with an index (INDEX) for each block in the firmware transfer message (TCP_FW_TX ( N )) and transmit (S140, 141, 142, 143, 144).

At this time, if the total number of blocks is N , the number of transfers necessary for the transfer of the new firmware program is ( N +1) times.

The firmware upgrade apparatus does not return the response to the management server for each firmware transmission message received, and determines whether the indexes are sequentially received.

When the transmission of all blocks of the new firmware program is completed, the management server transmits a CRC value for the entire firmware program by sending a CRC calculation value message (TCP_FW_CRC_REQ) to the firmware upgrade apparatus.

The firmware upgrade apparatus calculates a CRC value for all of the received new firmware programs by itself and compares the CRC calculation value included in the received CRC calculation message. The comparison result is also transmitted to the management server side as a CRC comparison result response message (TCP_FW_CRC_RES).

If the two CRC calculations match, the new firmware program is considered to have been transmitted without error, and the management server sends an end message (TCP_END_REQ) instructing to terminate the TCP / IP connection, and the firmware upgrade device receives the received termination. In response to the message, the terminal sends an end response message (TCP_END_RES) to the management server and enters an idle state.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a case where transmission of a data block for a specific index is missing or a transmission failure occurs.

If data regarding a specific index (here index = 2) is not sequentially received (S145), the management server requests to retransmit from the firmware transmission message regarding the index (S146). This request is performed by sending a firmware retransmission request message to the management server side.

When the management server receives the firmware retransmission request message, the management server transmits again from the firmware transmission message for the index (S147, 148, 144).

11 is a diagram of a flow when the CRC calculated values at step S150 are inconsistent.

For convenience, the process before step S144 is omitted.

If the two CRC calculation values do not match (S152), the CRC comparison result response message includes information indicating that the calculation values do not match and transmits (S151). In this case, retransmission of the new firmware program is made from the management server (S170 to S174). The firmware upgrade apparatus also resets all progresses up to that time, deletes all received firmware blocks, and then receives the first firmware transmission message transmitted from the management server again. Processes after the retransmission of the new firmware program (S180 ~ S161) is the same as described above with reference to FIG.

If a sudden call drop occurs during the transmission of the new firmware program, the management server detects the occurrence of the call disconnection, resets all progress until then, and attempts to retransmit the new firmware program from the beginning. Can be. In addition, in order to prevent such retransmissions from repeating infinitely due to disconnection, retransmissions may be limited to a predetermined number of times.

Through this process, a new firmware program is transmitted from the management server to the firmware upgrade apparatus for firmware upgrade of the repeater.

In the following, the process in which the repeater firmware upgrade is performed after the new firmware program is transferred back from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the repeater controller side will be described.

8 is another flowchart illustrating FIG. 6 in more detail.

In particular, FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail an example of a step of transmitting a new firmware program from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the repeater controller in the remote firmware upgrade method of the mobile communication repeater according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the step of transferring the new firmware program from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the repeater controller includes preparing a new firmware program transmission step (S210 ˜ S221) between the firmware upgrade apparatus and the repeater controller and from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the repeater controller side. It further comprises a new firmware program transmission step (S230 ~ S251).

In the above-described process, when the firmware upgrade apparatus completes the download of the new firmware program from the management server, the firmware upgrade apparatus instructs the relay controller side to download the new firmware after a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses (S210). ). This is done through the firmware download command ($ FWDLOAD) in Table 3a.

When the repeater controller receives the firmware download command, the repeater controller inquires the firmware information before a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses (S220). The inquiry of the firmware information is performed by transmitting the firmware specification check command (AT $ FWINFO?) Shown in Table 4a to the firmware upgrade apparatus. In response to the firmware specification check command, the firmware upgrade apparatus checks firmware information (relay firmware name, repeater name, controller manufacturer code and version information, etc.) regarding the new firmware program (S221).

When the correct firmware name for the repeater is transmitted, the repeater controller sequentially transmits the firmware split transfer command to the firmware upgrade device from the initial index (Firmware Index = 0) (S230, 232, 234, 236), and the small unit (for example, The firmware program block divided into 512 bytes is sequentially transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus (S231, 233, 235, 237).

The number M of the entire firmware program blocks is shown in Equation 2.

M = int {(firmware size) / 248}

Therefore, to read the whole new firmware program, it is necessary to read ( M +1) blocks.

If the valid data of the firmware program block is smaller than 496 bytes in the case of (INDEX = M ), the remaining part after the end of the program is filled with nothing, and 0D0A is transmitted at the end of the valid data. M inblocks can be less than 512 bytes)

When the repeater controller receives the first block of the new firmware program, it compares the boot area of the new firmware program with the boot area of the current firmware program, and determines whether the new firmware program is compatible with the current firmware program. If it is determined to be compatible, the next block download continues.

Meanwhile, the repeater controller calculates a CRC value for each block each time the firmware program block is received, and then compares the CRC value transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus. If the two CRC values coincide, the block is considered to have been successfully transmitted and then proceeds to the next block.

When the repeater controller receives all of the new firmware programs, it calculates a TOTAL CRC value for the whole new firmware program, and determines whether the TOTAL CRC value matches the CRC value transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus (S240).

If the two CRC values match, the repeater controller writes the firmware to storage (eg flash memory).

When the writing of the firmware is completed, a firmware download end command including a code indicating a firmware download success is transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus (S250). Referring to Tables 4c and 4-4, the corresponding firmware download end command is (AT $ FWEND = 0).

When the firmware upgrade device receives the firmware download end command (AT $ FWEND = 0) from the relay controller, the firmware upgrade device sends a firmware download result message of (RESULT = 0) to the management server, thereby reporting that the new firmware program has been successfully downloaded. (S251). For this purpose, a short message (SMS) transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the management server may be used.

The repeater controller performs a firmware upgrade process by using an upgrade algorithm built in the repeater controller after a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) (S300).

12 is a flowchart illustrating a case in which the relay controller does not return a response to the command even after a predetermined timeout elapses after receiving the firmware download command from the firmware upgrade apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 12, when it is determined that there is no response from the repeater controller until the timeout (for example, 3 seconds) elapses (S211), the firmware upgrade apparatus transmits a firmware download result message to the management server (S212). ). Referring to Table 2g, the code value at this time includes RESULT = 1, which means "no repeater response."

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a case where the firmware name included in the firmware specification check response from the firmware upgrade apparatus is inconsistent with the name of the repeater.

The repeater controller checks whether the repeater manufacturer code included in the firmware specification check response matches the manufacturer code for the repeater (S222).

If there is a mismatch, a firmware download end command including a code value indicating a firmware name error is transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus (S223). Referring to Table 4d, (AT $ FWEND = 2) is the firmware download end command in this case.

In addition, the repeater controller in this case initializes the firmware upgrade process by simultaneously resetting the repeater itself and the firmware upgrade apparatus after a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed.

In addition, when receiving the firmware download end command from the repeater controller, the firmware upgrade apparatus transmits a firmware download result message (REP_FW_DLOAD_RES) to the management server (S224). Referring to Table 2g, the result type of the firmware download result message corresponding to this case is (RESULT = 2).

14 is a diagram showing a flow in the case where the CRC calculation values for each data block of the new firmware program do not match.

As shown in FIG. 14, if the CRC calculation value of the corresponding data block included in the firmware split transmission response and the CRC calculation value of the corresponding data block directly calculated by the repeater controller do not match (S232a), a CRC error is considered to have occurred. The relay controller transmits a firmware split transfer command having an index of the corresponding block, thereby requesting the firmware upgrade apparatus to retransmit the same block (S232b).

The firmware upgrade apparatus retransmits the data block in which the CRC error has occurred again in response to the firmware split transfer command (S233a).

Meanwhile, in order to prevent the problem of infinite repetition, the repeater controller may request retransmission up to a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), and then terminate the firmware download when a CRC error exceeding the predetermined number of times occurs. In this case, the repeater controller transmits a firmware download termination command to the firmware upgrade apparatus. In this case, referring to Table 4c, the repeater controller is a download termination command according to the block CRC error (AT $ FWEND = 6). Becomes

When the firmware upgrade device receives the (AT $ FWEND = 6) command, it sends a firmware download result message of (RESULT = 6) to the management server, and reports that the firmware download to the repeater controller has failed due to a block CRC error. do.

The repeater controller initializes the firmware upgrade process by simultaneously resetting the repeater itself and the firmware upgrade apparatus after a predetermined time (for example, one minute) elapses.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a case where it is determined that there is incompatibility as a result of determining whether the current firmware program and the new firmware program are compatible based on the boot area included in the first received data block.

As shown in FIG. 15, if it is determined that there is incompatibility (S238), a firmware download end command including a code indicating a non-compliant firmware program is transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus (S239). Referring to Tables 4c and 4-4, the corresponding firmware download end command is (AT $ FWEND = 7).

In addition, the repeater controller initializes the firmware upgrade process by simultaneously resetting the repeater itself and the firmware upgrade apparatus after a predetermined time (for example, one minute) elapses.

When the firmware upgrade device receives the firmware download end command (AT $ FWEND = 7) from the repeater controller side, the firmware upgrade device transmits a firmware download result message of (RESULT = 7) to the management server. It reports that the firmware download to the side has failed (S239a).

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a flow when an error occurs in the CRC calculated value for the whole new firmware program downloaded by the repeater controller.

As shown in FIG. 16, if there is a mismatch between the TOTAL CRC value and the CRC value transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus (S2241), a firmware download end command including a code representing an entire CRC error is transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus side ( S252). Referring to Tables 4c and 4-4, the corresponding firmware download end command is (AT $ FWEND = 3).

The repeater controller initializes the firmware upgrade process by simultaneously resetting the repeater itself and the firmware upgrade apparatus after a predetermined time (for example, one minute) elapses.

In addition, when the firmware upgrade device receives the firmware download end command (AT $ FWEND = 3) from the repeater controller, the firmware upgrade device sends a firmware download result message of (RESULT = 3) to the management server. Report that the firmware download to the controller has failed (S253). For this purpose, a short message (SMS) transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the management server may be used.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a case where a firmware split transmission command is not input until a predetermined timeout elapses after a firmware specification check command is input.

There may be a case where the firmware split transfer command for the first block of the new firmware program (INDEX = 0) is not input to the firmware upgrade apparatus within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) after the firmware specification check command is input ( S254). In this case, the firmware upgrade apparatus reports to the management server that the firmware download to the relay controller side has failed due to timeout (S255). Referring to Table 2g, the result of the firmware download result message corresponding to the timeout is (RESULT = 5).

After the firmware upgrade apparatus transmits the firmware download result message to the management server, the firmware upgrade apparatus transmits a repeater reset command ($ 16160200006E60) to the repeater controller.

If an error occurs during firmware writing, a firmware download termination command including a code indicating a firmware writing failure is transmitted to the firmware upgrade apparatus. Referring to Tables 4c and 4-4, the corresponding firmware download end command is (AT $ FWEND = 4). The repeater controller initializes the firmware upgrade process by simultaneously resetting the repeater itself and the firmware upgrade apparatus after a predetermined time (for example, one minute) elapses.

When the firmware upgrade device receives the firmware download end command (AT $ FWEND = 4) from the repeater controller side, the firmware upgrade device sends a firmware download result message with (RESULT = 4) to the management server. Report that the firmware download failed. For this purpose, a short message (SMS) transmitted from the firmware upgrade apparatus to the management server may be used.

On the other hand, when the firmware upgrade apparatus receives an AT command from the repeater controller, 0D0A must be attached to the end of all AT commands.

In addition, the firmware upgrade apparatus should return a response signal as described in Tables 4a to 4-3 with respect to all input AT commands. In addition, after returning the response signal, OK0D0A must be transmitted.

The repeater controller must execute the command only after receiving the response signal for the AT command and the subsequent OK0D0A from the firmware upgrade apparatus.

However, OK0D0A is not transmitted to the AT command that the monitoring module sends without a repeater command. For example, a firmware download command ($ FWDLOAD) or a repeater reset command ($ 16160200006E60) belongs to this case.

The condition of TCP / IP communication between the firmware upgrade device and the repeater controller is preferably set as shown in Table 5 below.

Baud Rate 38,400 bps Stop bit 1 bit Data bit 8 bit Parity none

 It is also desirable to not use echo for all AT commands.

On the other hand, the repeater reset command should be executable in any case. If you were receiving a new firmware program, you must delete all the received data by performing a reset. In no case shall the repeater be put into an inoperable state.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only through the apparatus and the method, but may be implemented through a program for realizing a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Such an implementation can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art from the description of the embodiments described above.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a remote firmware upgrade system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a remote firmware upgrade system of a mobile communication repeater according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing components of the management server of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing the components of the firmware upgrade apparatus of FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing the components of a repeater to which the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is applied;

6 is a diagram showing the flow of repeater firmware upgrade according to the remote firmware upgrade method according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flow diagram illustrating FIG. 6 in more detail;

8 is another flowchart illustrating FIG. 6 in more detail;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a case where a telephone number of a remote firmware upgrade apparatus is inconsistent; FIG.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a case in which transmission of a data block for a specific index is missing or a transmission failure occurs;

11 is a diagram relating to a flow when a CRC calculated value in step S150 is inconsistent;

12 is a flowchart of a case in which the relay controller does not return a response to the command even after a predetermined timeout has elapsed after receiving the firmware download command from the firmware upgrade apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a case where the firmware name included in the firmware specification check response from the firmware upgrade apparatus is inconsistent with the name of the repeater. FIG.

14 is a view showing a flow in the case where the CRC calculation values for the respective data blocks of the new firmware program are inconsistent;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a case where it is determined that there is incompatibility as a result of determining whether the current firmware program is compatible with the new firmware program based on the boot area included in the first received data block. FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a case where an error occurs in the CRC calculated value for the whole new firmware program downloaded by the repeater controller; FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a case where a firmware split transmission command is not input until a predetermined timeout elapses after a firmware specification check command is input.

Claims (64)

 A device for remotely upgrading the firmware of an electronic device,  A first data transmission / reception unit configured to receive a new firmware program from a management server outside the remote firmware upgrade apparatus, and to receive or transmit a command and a message necessary for transmitting and receiving the new firmware program from the management server or to the management server;  A wireless data conversion unit for converting a part of the command and the message transmitted to the management server to be included in a short message; A storage unit for storing the new firmware program received from the management server; A second data transmission / reception unit configured to transmit the new firmware program to the electronic device, and to transmit or receive the command and the message necessary for the transmission and reception of the new firmware program to or from the electronic device; And a central control unit for controlling overall operations necessary for receiving the new firmware program from the management server and transmitting it to the electronic device.       The method of claim 1,       And the first data transmission / reception unit has a unique first telephone number identifying the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. The method of claim 2, And the command received from the management server includes a firmware upgrade request command for requesting the remote firmware upgrade device to perform a firmware upgrade of the electronic device.       The method of claim 3,       The command received from the management server further comprises an ID request command for querying the first telephone number.       The method of claim 4, wherein       And the message received from the management server includes a firmware specification message including size and name information of the new firmware program.       The method of claim 5,       And the message received from the management server further includes a firmware transmission message including a data block constituting the new firmware program.       The method of claim 6,       The message received from the management server, the remote firmware upgrade device further comprising a termination message for instructing to terminate the TCP / IP network connection to the management server.       The method of claim 7, wherein       And the message received from the management server further includes a CRC calculation value message including a first CRC calculation value obtained by the management server calculating a CRC value for the new firmware program.       The method of claim 8,       And the message sent to the management server comprises an ID response message including the first telephone number.       The method of claim 9,       The message sent to the management server, the remote firmware upgrade device further comprises a firmware specification response message in response to the firmware specification message.       The method of claim 10,       The message transmitted to the management server, the remote firmware upgrade device further comprises a firmware retransmission request message for requesting to retransmit from a specific firmware transmission message of the series of firmware transmission messages transmitted from the management server.       The method of claim 11,       The message transmitted to the management server is a CRC indicating whether or not the second CRC calculation value, which is a CRC value calculated by the remote firmware upgrade apparatus, and the first CRC calculation value correspond to the new program received from the management server. Remote firmware upgrade device further comprising a response message of the comparison result.       The method of claim 12,       The message transmitted to the management server, the remote firmware upgrade device further comprises a termination response message containing information on whether or not the reception of the new firmware program from the management server.       The method of claim 13,       The message transmitted to the management server, the remote firmware upgrade device further comprises a firmware download result message including information on whether the transmission of the new firmware program to the electronic device.       The method of claim 14,       And the command to be sent to the electronic device includes a firmware download command instructing the electronic device to start downloading the new firmware program. The method of claim 15, The command received from the electronic device, remote firmware upgrade apparatus including a firmware specification check command for requesting the specification information of the new firmware program. The method of claim 16, The command received from the electronic device further comprises a firmware split transmission command for requesting to sequentially transmit the new firmware program divided into a data block of the first size. The method of claim 17, And the command received from the electronic device further includes a firmware download termination command including a code indicating a cause of downloading termination of the new firmware program. The method of claim 2, And the second data transceiver is a serial communication interface module connected to the electronic device. As a management server for remotely upgrading the firmware of the electronic device, Sends a new firmware program to a remote firmware upgrade apparatus external to the remote firmware upgrade server connected through a mobile communication network, and transmits a command and a message necessary for transmitting and receiving the new firmware program to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus or from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. Receiving wireless data transmission and reception unit, A wireless data analyzer analyzing the command and the message received from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; A data storage unit for storing at least one new firmware program for the electronic device to be transmitted to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; And a management controller for controlling overall operations required for transmitting the new firmware program to the electronic device via the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. The method of claim 20, The data storage unit, the remote firmware upgrade management server further comprises a telephone number list storing at least one phone number specified in the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. The method of claim 21, The wireless data transmission and reception unit, a remote firmware upgrade management server connected to the wired network of the mobile communication network. delete As a system to remotely upgrade the firmware of the electronic device, A first data transmission / reception unit configured to receive the new firmware program from the management server, receive a command and a message necessary for transmission and reception of the new firmware program from the management server, or transmit the command to the management server; A wireless data conversion unit for converting a portion of the command and the message to be included in a short message, a storage unit for storing the new firmware program received from the management server, and a serial communication interface module connected to the electronic device, A second data transceiver and the new firmware program for transmitting the new firmware program to the electronic device and transmitting or receiving the command and the message necessary for the transmission and reception of the new firmware program to or from the electronic device. Management Server And received from a remote firmware upgrades device including a central control unit for controlling the overall operation required to transmit to the electronic device, and connected to the radio network of a mobile communication network by way of a first data transmission and reception, It includes a management server connected to the wired network of the mobile communication network, Remote firmware upgrade system for transmitting a new firmware program for the electronic device connected to the remote firmware upgrade device from the management server to the remote firmware upgrade device, and then to the electronic device. The method of claim 24, The management server, A wireless data transmission / reception unit configured to transmit the new firmware program to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus, and to transmit or receive a command and a message necessary for the transmission and reception of the new firmware program to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus, and from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; A wireless data analyzer analyzing the command and the message received from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; A data storage unit for storing at least one new firmware program for the electronic device to be transmitted to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; And a management controller for controlling the overall operation required to transmit the new firmware program to the electronic device via the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. delete delete In the remote firmware upgrade method of the device, Preparing to receive the new firmware program; Receiving a new firmware program for a specific electronic device from a management server through a mobile communication network, Transmitting the new firmware program to the electronic device, Preparing to receive the new firmware program, Receiving a firmware upgrade request command from the management server; And establishing a data communication connection to the management server using the network information of the management server included in the firmware upgrade request command. The method of claim 28, Preparing the remote firmware upgrade device to receive the new firmware program, Receiving an ID request command for requesting a first telephone number of the remote firmware upgrade apparatus from the management server; And in response to the ID request command, sending an ID request response message including the first telephone number to the management server. The method of claim 29, Receiving a firmware specification message including specification information of the new firmware program from the management server when the second telephone number and the first telephone number of the remote firmware upgrade apparatus held by the management server match; Sending a firmware specification response message to the management server as a response to the firmware specification message. The method of claim 30, And storing the specification information of the new firmware program included in the firmware specification message in a storage device provided by the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. In the remote firmware upgrade method of the device, Preparing to receive the new firmware program; Receiving a new firmware program for a specific electronic device from a management server through a mobile communication network, Receiving, by the management server, a series of firmware transmission messages including at least one first data block obtained by dividing the new firmware program and first index information corresponding to the first data block; Transmitting the new firmware program to the electronic device. 33. The method of claim 32, And determining, by the remote firmware upgrade apparatus, whether the series of firmware transmission messages are sequentially received in the ascending order of the first index. The method of claim 33, wherein If the series of firmware transmission messages are not sequentially received in the ascending order of the first index, the management of the firmware retransmission request message requesting to retransmit from the firmware transmission message for the missing first index of the first index Remote firmware upgrade method further comprising the step of sending to the server. The method of claim 34, wherein And after receiving the firmware retransmission request message, continuing from the firmware transmission message regarding the missing first index from the management server. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein And receiving a first CRC value for the entire new firmware program from the management server. The method of claim 36, Calculating a second CRC value for the entire new firmware program received from the management server; Determining whether the first CRC value matches the second CRC value; and And transmitting a CRC comparison result response message including the content of the match to the management server. The method of claim 37 Receiving a second termination message indicating to terminate the data communication connection from the management server when the first CRC value and the second CRC value match; Sending a second termination response message to the management server as a response to the second termination message; Terminating the data communication connection. The method of claim 38, If the first CRC value and the second CRC value are inconsistent, re-receiving all of the series of firmware transmission messages from the management server. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein Re-receiving all of the series of firmware transmission messages from the management server if the data communication connection is terminated before completing the series of firmware transmission messages. 41. The method of claim 39 or 40, Deleting the already received firmware transfer message before re-receiving all of the series of firmware transfer messages from the management server. In the remote firmware upgrade method of the device, Preparing to receive the new firmware program; Receiving a new firmware program for a specific electronic device from a management server through a mobile communication network, Transmitting a firmware download command to the electronic device instructing to receive the new firmware program; Transmitting the new firmware program to the electronic device. The method of claim 42, wherein Receiving a firmware specification checking command from the electronic device requesting inquiry of firmware information of the new firmware program before a first timeout elapses after transmitting the firmware download command; And transmitting a firmware specification check response including the specification information stored in the storage device of the remote firmware upgrade apparatus to the electronic device as a response to the firmware specification check command. The method of claim 43, A first code value including a first code value indicating a firmware name error from the electronic device when the first firmware name of the electronic device held by the electronic device is inconsistent with the second firmware name included in the specification information; Receiving a firmware download end command, Transmitting a first firmware download result message including the first code value to the management server; and And resetting the remote firmware upgrade apparatus after a second timeout elapses after receiving the first firmware download end command. The method of claim 44, The remote firmware upgrade apparatus is to transmit the new firmware program to the electronic device, Dividing the new firmware program into at least one second data block; And sequentially assigning a second index corresponding to each of the divided second data blocks. The method of claim 45, Receiving a series of firmware divided transfer instructions including the second index from the electronic device; In response to the series of firmware split transfer instructions, transmitting the second data block corresponding to the second index and a third CRC value for the second data block to the electronic device. How to upgrade. 47. The method of claim 46 wherein If the third CRC value for a particular second data block of the series of second data blocks is inconsistent with a fourth CRC value for the particular second data block calculated by the electronic device, the first from the electronic device; Re-receiving the firmware divided transfer command including a specific second index of the second indexes of the two data blocks; Retransmitting the second data block corresponding to the specific second index to the electronic device. The method of claim 47, When the transmission of the series of second data blocks is completed, receiving a second firmware download termination command from the electronic device including a second code value indicating a firmware download success; Transmitting a second firmware download result message including the second code value to the management server; and And resetting the remote firmware upgrade apparatus after a third timeout elapses after receiving the second firmware download end command. The method of claim 48, Receiving a third firmware download termination command from the electronic device, the third firmware download end command including a third code value indicating a block CRC error, when the resending exceeds a first retransmission number; Transmitting a third firmware download result message including the third code value to the management server; and And resetting the remote firmware upgrade apparatus after a fourth timeout after receiving the third firmware download termination command. The method of claim 49, If the new firmware program is not suitable for the electronic device, receiving a fourth firmware download end instruction including a fourth code value indicating that the new firmware program is not suitable for the electronic device; Transmitting a fourth firmware download result message including the fourth code value to the management server; and And resetting the remote firmware upgrade apparatus after a fifth timeout has passed after receiving the fourth firmware download end command. 51. The method of claim 50, If the fifth CRC value for the whole new firmware program calculated by the electronic device is inconsistent with the second CRC value, the fifth code value means a CRC error for the whole new firmware program from the electronic device. Receiving a fifth firmware download end command; Transmitting a fifth firmware download result message including the fifth code value to the management server; and And resetting the remote firmware upgrade apparatus after a sixth timeout elapses after receiving the fifth firmware download end command. The method of claim 51, If the electronic device fails to store the new firmware program, receiving a sixth firmware download termination command including a sixth code value indicating a firmware write failure; Transmitting a sixth firmware download result message including the sixth code value to the management server; and And resetting the remote firmware upgrade apparatus after a seventh timeout elapses after receiving the sixth firmware download termination command. The method of claim 42, wherein After transmitting the firmware download command to the electronic device, if the firmware specification check command is not received until the eighth timeout elapses, the management server includes a seventh code value indicating a timeout error. And transmitting a seventh firmware download result message. delete As a way to remotely upgrade the firmware of electronic devices Preparing a transmission of a new firmware program for the electronic device to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus by the management server; Transmitting, by the management server, the new firmware program to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus through a mobile communication network, Preparing the transmission of the new firmware program to the remote firmware upgrade device by the management server, Transmitting a firmware upgrade request command to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; Remote data upgrade method further comprises the step of establishing a data communication connection from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus using the network information of the management server included in the firmware upgrade request command. The method of claim 55, Preparing the transmission of the new firmware program to the remote firmware upgrade device by the management server, Transmitting an ID request command for requesting a first telephone number of the remote firmware upgrade apparatus to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; Receiving an ID request response message including the first telephone number from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus in response to the ID request command; And determining whether the second telephone number held by the management server matches the first telephone number with respect to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. The method of claim 56, wherein If the first telephone number and the second telephone number match, transmitting a firmware specification message including specification information of the new firmware program to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; Receiving a firmware specification response message from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus as a response to the firmware specification message. The method of claim 57, If the first telephone number and the second telephone number do not match, sending a first end message to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus to instruct to terminate the data communication connection; Receiving a first termination response message from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus as a response to the first termination message. The method of claim 55, The management server transmitting a new firmware program for a specific electronic device to the remote firmware upgrade device via the mobile communication network, Dividing the new firmware program into at least one first data block, and sequentially assigning a corresponding first index to each of the first data blocks; And transmitting a series of firmware transmission messages including the first data block and the first index information to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus. The method of claim 59, Resending the firmware retransmission request message for the specific first index from the first index to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus sequentially from the firmware transmission message for the specific first index; Remote firmware upgrade method further comprising. The method of claim 60, Calculating a first CRC value for the entire new firmware program; Transmitting a CRC calculated value message including the first CRC value to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus; Receiving a CRC comparison result response message including information on whether the second CRC value and the first CRC value for the entire new firmware program calculated by the remote firmware upgrade apparatus from the remote firmware upgrade apparatus further comprising: Including remote firmware upgrade method. 62. The method of claim 61 If the first CRC value and the second CRC value match, transmitting the second end message to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus to instruct to terminate the data communication connection. The method of claim 62, And retransmitting all of the series of firmware transmission messages to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus when the first CRC value and the second CRC value do not match. The method of claim 63, wherein Retransmitting all of the series of firmware transmission messages to the remote firmware upgrade apparatus when the data communication connection is terminated before completing the reception of the series of firmware transmission messages.

Images