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faq [2018/05/29 10:30]
voorburg
faq [2020/03/09 12:44]
voorburg
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 ====== Frequently Asked Questions ====== ====== Frequently Asked Questions ======
 +
 +**__What is the history of the OpenBLT bootloader project?​__** \\  ​
 +
 +The OpenBLT project started out as a hobby project that Frank Voorburg developed on the side in his spare time. Not long after publishing the project as open source at [[https://​sourceforge.net/​projects/​openblt/​|SourceForge]],​ companies contracted him to perform bootloader integrations and customizations for them. 
 +
 +Interest in the OpenBLT project grew consistently and continuously over the following years, resulting in a switch to a [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​openblt.php#​licensing|dual licensing model]] and Frank Voorburg reorganizing his company Feaser. Feaser is now fully dedicated to providing professional engineering services and commercial licenses around the OpenBLT bootloader. More details about the history of the OpenBLT project is available in [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=11|this blog article]].
 +
 +One of the main factors contributing to the success of the OpenBLT project is the synergy between the company Feaser on the one hand and the open source OpenBLT project on the other hand. The OpenBLT project generates income for Feaser, which makes it possible for Feaser to fully sponsor the development and maintenance efforts of the OpenBLT project. [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=256|This blog article]] contains more information about the relationship between Feaser and the OpenBLT project.
  
 **__Why should I use the OpenBLT bootloader?​__** \\  ​ **__Why should I use the OpenBLT bootloader?​__** \\  ​
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   * On-site integration   * On-site integration
   * Training   * Training
-  * Technical support by phone/e-mail+  * Technical support by e-mail
  
 Feel free to contact [[http://​www.feaser.com|Feaser]] to discuss your support needs. Feel free to contact [[http://​www.feaser.com|Feaser]] to discuss your support needs.
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 Bootloaders are quite tricky and are critical for the overal functioning and reliability of the system. If the bootloader is not running correctly, it could become impossible to update the user program or, even worse, no longer starts the actual user program once programmed. Bootloaders are quite tricky and are critical for the overal functioning and reliability of the system. If the bootloader is not running correctly, it could become impossible to update the user program or, even worse, no longer starts the actual user program once programmed.
  
-[[http://​www.feaser.com|Feaser]] offers professional engineering services to integrate, customize and port OpenBLT to your specific requirements. Feel free to contact Feaser to discuss details and possibilities.+[[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​services.php|Feaser]] offers professional engineering services to integrate, customize and port OpenBLT to your specific requirements. Feel free to contact Feaser to discuss details and possibilities. If you prefer to give it a try yourself, [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=352|this blog article]] contains detailed instructions on how to adjust the OpenBLT bootloader to your microcontroller system.
  
 **__What licensing options are available?​__** \\  ​ **__What licensing options are available?​__** \\  ​
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 **__How do I obtain a commercial license for the bootloader?​__** ​ \\  **__How do I obtain a commercial license for the bootloader?​__** ​ \\ 
  
-Contact ​[[http://​www.feaser.com|Feaser]] to request a quote for commercial license. ​Also let them know what type of microcontroller you intend to use, because ​ a commercial license ​is tied to specified microcontroller family (i.e. STM32F1).+Using the [[http://​www.feaser.com/​en/​quote.php|online quote generator]], you can obtain both pricing information and the actual ​quote for your OpenBLT ​commercial license. ​To obtain the commercial license, simply submit ​purchase order to Feaser using the instructions found on the quote.
  
 Note that all revenues generated from commercial licenses is invested back into keeping the OpenBLT project alive. It enables us to spend more time on development and maintenance. Note that all revenues generated from commercial licenses is invested back into keeping the OpenBLT project alive. It enables us to spend more time on development and maintenance.
 +
 +**__What do I receive after ordering the commercial license?​__** ​ \\ 
 +
 +After submitting your purchase order, Feaser prepares a bootloader package specifically for the microcontroller family that you ordered the commercial license for. It is based on the latest OpenBLT stable release, but all references to the GNU GPL are removed and your commercial license is added as a PDF file. 
 +
 +As an extra service, a demo bootloader and demo user program are added for a microcontroller similar to the one you plan on using. The demo programs can be built with the compiler toolchain that you specified and the demo bootloader is preconfigured for the same firmware update media that you plan on using. Additionally,​ a detailed getting started user manual is added to help you get the bootloader up and running as quickly as possible. The results of the bootloader integration are delivered to you electronically as a zip-archive.
 +
 +Note that Feaser also offers [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​services.php|services]] to perform this OpenBLT bootloader integration directly on your hardware.
  
 **__What are the restrictions of the commercial license?​__** ​ \\  **__What are the restrictions of the commercial license?​__** ​ \\ 
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 More details about the release schedule and bootloader version numbers can be found in [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=81|this blog article]]. More details about the release schedule and bootloader version numbers can be found in [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=81|this blog article]].
 +
 +**__What security options are available in the bootloader?​__** ​ \\ 
 +
 +From the context of a bootloader, security options are meant to prevent unwanted third parties from
 +
 +  * Making firmware updates on your product.
 +  * Capturing your firmware data while it is communicated to your product during a firmware update.
 +  * Reading out your firmware data after it was programmed onto your product.
 +
 +The OpenBLT bootloader already has several security options build-in that can be easily enabled. Together with readily available add-on modules and a few extra configuration steps, your system can be fully secured. Have a look at [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=245|this blog article]], which lists the available security options and explains in detail how to enable them.
  
 **__What is the ROM footprint of the bootloader?​__** ​ \\  **__What is the ROM footprint of the bootloader?​__** ​ \\ 
  
-The typical ​ROM size of OpenBLT is between 4 and 8 kilobyte. ​OpenBLT supports more than just one microcontroller family and compiler toolset, and allows compile-time configurationTherefore it is not possible ​to give an exact number for the ROM footprint. Have a look at the MAP-file of the demo program for a more exact statistic regarding the ROM size.+The ROM size of the OpenBLT ​bootloader ​is mostly dependent on the communication media you intend to enable for firmware updates. It is typically somewhere in the range of 5 to 20 kilobyte. ​We dedicated an entire [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=235|blog article]] to this topic to give you more details.
  
 Tips and tricks on further reducing the ROM footprint of the bootloader can be found in [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=174|this blog article]]. Tips and tricks on further reducing the ROM footprint of the bootloader can be found in [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=174|this blog article]].
 +
 +**__What are the ROM footprints of the OpenBLT add-on modules??​__** ​ \\ 
 +
 +The [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​addons.php#​encryption|firmware encryption]] module requires about 1800 bytes, the [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​addons.php#​checksum|improved checksum]] module about 700 bytes and the [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​addons.php#​gateway|master/​slave gateway]] module about 900 bytes. We dedicated an entire [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=347|blog article]] to this topic to give you more details.
 +
 +**__What communication protocol is used during firmware updates?​__** ​ \\ 
 +
 +The OpenBLT bootloader utilizes the standardized XCP protocol to communicate with the microcontroller target during the firmware update procedure. The XCP protocol is maintained and published by the The Association for Standardization of Automation and Measuring systems ([[https://​www.asam.net/​|ASAM]]).
 +
 +The XCP protocol, officially called [[https://​www.asam.net/​standards/​detail/​mcd-1-xcp/​|ASAM MCD-1 XCP]], is a universal measurement and calibration protocol. It is a master-slave communication protocol to connect a microcontroller (slave) with a calibration and data acquisition system (master). Since the protocol contains features for non-volatile memory erasure and programming,​ it is quite suitable for the purpose of firmware updates as well. 
 +
 +The XCP protocol was selected because it contains everything you could wish for in a communication protocol for a bootloader:
 +  * It includes features for non-volatile memory programming.
 +  * It supports multiple transport layers such as RS232, CAN, USB, TCP/IP and be easily be embedded inside other transport layers.
 +  * It features a build-in seed/key security mechanism for restricting access.
 +  * The protocol distinguishes between mandatory commands and optional commands. This allows the implementation to have a low ROM footprint by stripping out those optional commands that are not needed for the purpose of a firmware update. ​
 +
 +For more details you can download a copy of the {{:​manual:​xcp_1_0_specification.zip|XCP 1.0 protocol specification}} and you can have a look at the bootloader’s [[manual:​design#​communication_sequence|communication sequence]] chart.
 +
 +Although we highly recommend the XCP protocol, it is definitely possible to replace it with another communication protocol, thanks to the bootloader’s [[manual:​design#​modules|modular architecture]].
 +
 +**__Can I exchange data between the bootloader and my firmware?​__** ​ \\ 
 +
 +The bootloader and your firmware are two separate programs in flash memory that never run at the same time. It is possible to exchange data between the two programs by means of a shared RAM section. Feaser developed and presented a free-to-use “shared parameter” module in a [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=216|blog article]] for exactly this purpose.
 +
 +Such a data exchange is especially useful in a situation where you want to change the configuration and behavior of the bootloader in a way that was not yet known at the time that the bootloader was programmed into flash memory. For example to change the CAN identifiers the bootloader uses during a firmware update, based on a node-address that was dynamically assigned in your user program. Another example is to pass the IP-address on to the bootloader, which was assigned in your user program via DHCP.
  
 **__How fast is the bootloader?​__** ​ \\  **__How fast is the bootloader?​__** ​ \\ 
  
-When configured to use UART wtih 57600 bits per second as the communication speed then the programming rate of the bootloader is typically around 3 to 3.5 kilobyte per second. The flash driver tasked with erasing and programming the flash EEPROM is optimized for run-time efficiency, however flash EEPROM operations do take time.+When configured to use RS232 wtih 57600 bits per second as the communication speed then the programming rate of the bootloader is typically around 3 to 3.5 kilobyte per second. The flash driver tasked with erasing and programming the flash EEPROM is optimized for run-time efficiency, however flash EEPROM operations do take time.
  
 **__How does the bootloader know if a valid user program is present?​__** ​ \\  **__How does the bootloader know if a valid user program is present?​__** ​ \\ 
  
 At the end of a programming session, the bootloader stores a program specific 32-bit checksum in non-volatile memory. When the bootloader is about to start the user program, this checksum is first verified and based on the results of this verification,​ the bootloader determines if it's safe to start the user program. At the end of a programming session, the bootloader stores a program specific 32-bit checksum in non-volatile memory. When the bootloader is about to start the user program, this checksum is first verified and based on the results of this verification,​ the bootloader determines if it's safe to start the user program.
 +
 +Note that this 32-bit checksum is calculated over only a small portion of your software program, typically a part of the interrupt vector table. It is meant as a signature that helps the bootloader to determine if a software program is present or not. To have a checksum verification over the entire contents of your software program, Feaser offers the [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​addons.php#​checksum|improved checksum]] add-on module.
  
 **__How do I debug my own firmware, when the bootloader is also present in flash?​__** ​ \\  **__How do I debug my own firmware, when the bootloader is also present in flash?​__** ​ \\ 
  
-If your embedded system makes use of the OpenBLT bootloader, then essentially you have two software programs present in flash memory: your own firmware and the OpenBLT bootloader. This added complexity can cause a problem when trying to debug your firmware. With a few small workarounds,​ you can get full debug functionality back for your firmware. A detailed explanation on how to accomplish this can be found on the [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=35|developer blog]].+If your embedded system makes use of the OpenBLT bootloader, then essentially you have two software programs present in flash memory: your own firmware and the OpenBLT bootloader. This added complexity can cause a problem when trying to debug your firmware.  
 + 
 +The OpenBLT bootloader writes a 32-bit checksum to flash memory at the end of the firmware update. It is used as a signature to determine if firmware is present or not. When programming your firmware with the debugger instead, this checksum value does not get written, resulting in the bootloader not starting your firmware during a debug session. 
 + 
 +A simple workaround is to program your firmware with the OpenBLT bootloader, so using the MicroBoot and/or BootCommander PC tool. Then in your integrated development environment you can configure your debugger session such that it does not flash code, but only loads debugger symbols. 
 + 
 +The downside of this approach is that there is an extra step involved each time you start a debug session. Additionally,​ flashing your firmware with the debugger is typically quicker that using a bootloader. With a few small workarounds,​ you can get full debug functionality back for your firmware. A detailed explanation on how to accomplish this can be found on the [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=35|developer blog]].
  
 **__What is the backdoor entry?​__** ​ \\  **__What is the backdoor entry?​__** ​ \\ 
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 **__How do I change the communication interface?​__** ​ \\  **__How do I change the communication interface?​__** ​ \\ 
  
-The configuration interface used by OpenBLT is configured in file blt_conf.h through the configurables BOOT_COM_XXX_ENABLE,​ where XXX specifies the communication interface, such as UART or CAN.+The configuration interface used by OpenBLT is configured in file blt_conf.h through the configurables BOOT_COM_XXX_ENABLE,​ where XXX specifies the communication interface, such as RS232 or CAN.
  
 Thanks to OpenBLT'​s flexible architecture,​ new communication interfaces can be added. [[http://​www.feaser.com|Feaser]] offers engineering services to add functionality to support any communication interface you desire. For example USB or TCP/IP. It is even possible for OpenBLT to load the new user program image from an SD-card. ​ Thanks to OpenBLT'​s flexible architecture,​ new communication interfaces can be added. [[http://​www.feaser.com|Feaser]] offers engineering services to add functionality to support any communication interface you desire. For example USB or TCP/IP. It is even possible for OpenBLT to load the new user program image from an SD-card. ​
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 An added benefit of disabling the assertions, is that it lowers the ROM footprint of the bootloader. So if you are trying to squeeze the bootloader in as little ROM as possible, then disabling the assertions is a good approach, when you create the release version of your bootloader. An added benefit of disabling the assertions, is that it lowers the ROM footprint of the bootloader. So if you are trying to squeeze the bootloader in as little ROM as possible, then disabling the assertions is a good approach, when you create the release version of your bootloader.
 +
 +**__Can I use the bootloader on multiple nodes in a network?​__** ​ \\ 
 +
 +Internally, the OpenBLT bootloader is based on the XCP communication protocol. XCP is a point-to-point protocol for establishing a connection between a host PC and a microcontroller. It is possible to use the bootloader in a network with multiple nodes. You just need to make a minor configuration change to make each node individually addressable. This is explained in detail in [[https://​www.feaser.com/​en/​blog/?​p=193|this blog article]].
  
 **__How can I use 29-bit extended CAN identifiers instead of 11-bit standard?​__** ​ \\  **__How can I use 29-bit extended CAN identifiers instead of 11-bit standard?​__** ​ \\ 
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 **__During a firmware update, is the firmware first downloaded to RAM?​__** ​ \\  **__During a firmware update, is the firmware first downloaded to RAM?​__** ​ \\ 
  
-Short answer: No. The new firmware is communicated to the bootloader and programmed into flash memory in small chunks of data. Typically 7 to 64 bytes, depending on the used communication interface (CAN, UART, USB, etc). Thanks to this feature, the bootloader can also run on low-end microcontrollers with limited RAM.+Short answer: No. The new firmware is communicated to the bootloader and programmed into flash memory in small chunks of data. Typically 7 to 64 bytes, depending on the used communication interface (CAN, RS232, USB, etc). Thanks to this feature, the bootloader can also run on low-end microcontrollers with limited RAM.
  
 **__How does a firmware update work?​__** ​ \\  **__How does a firmware update work?​__** ​ \\ 
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   - The flash memory, which is to be rewritten, is erased.   - The flash memory, which is to be rewritten, is erased.
-  - The new firmware is communicated to the bootloader and programmed into flash memory in small chunks of data. Typically 7 - 64 bytes, depending on the used communication interface (CAN, UART, USB etc).+  - The new firmware is communicated to the bootloader and programmed into flash memory in small chunks of data. Typically 7 - 64 bytes, depending on the used communication interface (CAN, RS232, USB etc).
   - As the last programming step, a checksum value is programmed into flash memory at a fixed location. This is not a checksum of the entire firmware, but typically just a checksum of the vector table. It serves as a marker to determine if the firmware was completely programmed or not.   - As the last programming step, a checksum value is programmed into flash memory at a fixed location. This is not a checksum of the entire firmware, but typically just a checksum of the vector table. It serves as a marker to determine if the firmware was completely programmed or not.
   - Once done, the new software program is started after performing a checksum verification.   - Once done, the new software program is started after performing a checksum verification.
faq.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/15 14:43 by voorburg