Client-side Challenges of M2M-enabled Updates for Mobile Embedded Systems

April 2013
9 pages

Client-side Challenges of M2M-enabled Updates for Mobile Embedded Systems

The number and diversity of current and possible M2M implementations in cars make them an excellent paradigms for examining issues of software and firmware upgrades to mobile and embedded platforms. All things being equal on the server side and with the network infrastructure (they are reliable and secure), M2M-enabled updates to automotive systems present three major client-side challenges: safety-related components, limited computing resources, and connectivity.

Contents

What is M2M? — A new market — M2M for remote updates — M2M in automotive — Client-side challenges — The head unit and the ECUs — Safety-related components — Limited resources — Connectivity — Help from the OS [+]

What is M2M?

According to Jürgen Hase, a vice president at Deutsche Telekom’s M2M Competence Center, M2M (machine-to-machine communication) will usher in a third industrial revolution. M2M is of course not a new concept. It has been in use at ...

A new market

Recent interest in M2M and the recent growth in implementations can be attributed to a number of factors, including: the extensive and reliable mobile coverage provided by mobile networks in the ...

M2M for remote updates

M2M communications is already in use for both software and firmware (FOTA, or firmware over the air) updates for a wide range of devices. M2M offers a considerable range of benefits, whose importance vary depending on the devices ...

M2M in automotive

The recent joint resolution by the European Parliament and the Internal Market and Transport Committees calling on EU legislators to mandate that by 2015 all new vehicles be equipped with eCall capabilities is just one example of the importance of ...

Client-side challenges

All things being equal on the server side and with the network infrastructure (they are reliable and secure), M2M-enabled updates to automotive systems present three major client-side challenges: safety-related components—most cars have both non-safety-related ...

The head unit and the ECUs

Modern vehicles contain a complex and sophisticated infotainment system in a head unit, and approximately 80 electronic control units (ECUs) for engine control, active suspension control, braking, and other functions. These components use firmware ...

Safety-related components

The first question that needs to be asked about any upgrade, regardless of whether it is an M2M-enabled upgrade or an upgrade by some other method, is whether the affected device or component is safety-related. This is particularly relevant for ECUs ...

Limited resources

In-vehicle embedded systems generally have limited capacities. These limitations are imposed by: the physical constraints of their environment—there is an upper bound on the power consumption, heat production and physical size of an ECU; cost—the large number ...

Connectivity

M2M-enabled updates to mobile platforms face a challenge that is for the most part irrelevant to stationary platforms and devices. The update procedure for sensors and actuators used in, say, a building management system or factory assembly line may ...

Help from the OS

If we summarize the challenges described above as isolation, footprint and time, we can formulate an approach to these challenges as follows. We need a system that can: a) maintain a demonstrable isolation of safety-related components from ...

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Author
Chris Ault
cault@qnx.com

Chris Ault

Chris Ault is the senior product manager responsible for QNX Software Systems’ medical software portfolio, including an Operating System compliant with the IEC 62304 standard. Recognized for his software expertise, Chris has written articles for Electronic Design, Embedded Intel Solutions, and Design & Elektronik and presented at events such as the Medical Devices Summit, mHealth, Embedded World, and the Embedded Systems Conference.

Before joining QNX, Chris was a senior product manager focused on virtualization technologies. He has held positions of increasing responsibility with hardware and software vendors, including Ciena, Nortel, Catena Networks, and Liquid Computing.

Chris holds degrees in computer science, electronics, and economics from Algonquin College and Carleton University.

Author
Tina Jeffrey
tjeffrey@qnx.com

Tina Jeffrey

In her role as automotive product marketing manager, Tina Jeffrey oversees the marketing efforts for several QNX automotive initiatives, including QNX Acoustics for Active Noise Control, and participates in industry standards groups, including the Automotive and Web Platform Business Group of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Tina has more than 17 years’ experience in the semiconductor and software industries. She has designed SoCs and ASICs, and has expertise in both marketing and engineering strategy. Prior to joining QNX Software Systems, Tina was responsible for technical marketing of multimedia and image processors for automotive and consumer market segments.

Tina has published papers on image cognition processors and intelligent imaging for automotive applications. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Ottawa.