RemoteFlash
- Remote Update of Electronic Control Units
applying Wireless Technologies
The interconnection and interaction of electronic
control units builds a complex network. The
cooperating controllers meter, control, diagnose and
manage a total system status, and for that purpose
they exchange data with eachother. Even software
that is positively proven to be error-free can be
the source of misbehaviours in other controllers or
may become instable itself when it is applied in
such a conjunct real-time networking environment.
Manufacturers of complex systems that combine
interactive controllers have to look for new methods
and technologies for handling software
misbehaviours, updates, upgrades and monitorings
more efficiently. The complexity of the controllers'
software is increasing permanently.
Up to now the standard approach to software updates
in controllers is either a call-back, service
engineers being sent on-site or postponing updates
until the next scheduled maintenance.
RemoteFlash enables mobile software
distribution to real-time controller networks by
means of a special and secure wireless data
transmission mechanism. Concurrent and "silent"
software updates can be run and controlled by a
central backoffice update unit for all concerned
controller devices. No technical service is required
on-site any more. The delivery of the software
updates is carried out via some available wide-area
network, e.g. available cable networks and/or mobile
and wireless networks like WiFi, WiMAX, UMTS/HSDPA,
GPRS, CDMA2000 or GSM. The design of this
innovative remote maintenance solution based on
mobile networks covers all specific requirements
from highly secured data transfer up to real-time
flash updates and roll-back to earlier software
releases in case of errors during automatic system
checks. Optimize your maintenance activities and
profit from significant cost reductions.
RemoteFlash provides a promissing alternative to the
cost-intensive exchange of controller units in the
field. Within automotive controller maintenance cost
savings can go up to 95%.
The time the maintenance process takes will be
reduced noticeably. Save the time for reaching the
installation sites (including transportation costs)
plus time for individual on-site controller
programming, software installation and adjacent
functionality checks.
In addition, the risk of potential image loss due to
call-backs is minimized as well.
Of course, a precondition to use RemoteFlash is that
the targeted controller units allow software
flashing.
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Within a cooperative
project CarMediaLab
and adisoft have developed a
prototype for software updates via mobile networks
for the automotive industry. The development time
took about two years. This project,
"car-flash", has been supported by the German
Ministry for Commerce and Technology based on a
decision of the German Bundestag.
Modern cars emphasize security and comfort. By today
up to 70 electronic control units are integrated in
such a car. All these controllers fulfill different
tasks, and they communicate with eachother in order
to generate the overall convenience of the driver
and passengers. Subject to the project promoted by
the German Ministry for Commerce and
Technology has been to enable remote software
updates to these controllers via a central update
unit in the backoffice. According to analysis by the
AUTOSAR Initiative already a few cents cost
reduction per controller will easily sum up to a 6
six-digit amount in savings.
The technology competence derived from the given
R&D project is now applicable in various
environments and manifold ways.
Updates of networked electronic
control unit via mobile and wireless data networks
promise remarkable cost savings in applications
that consider
- faster reaction
times,
- higher first shot
problem soultion rates and
- minimization
of on-site technical services
to be keywords to their process
optimizations, e.g. in
Tell us how we can assist and support your plans.
There is no difference whether we talk about
long-term future ideas and currently executed
projects. We would be happy to answer your enquiries.
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