Remote System Update for System on Programmable Chip Based on Controller Area Network

In some application domains, using a download cable to update the system on a programmable chip (SoPC) is infeasible, which reduces the maintainability and flexibility of the system. Hence the remote system update (RSU) scheme is being studied. In this scheme, the serial configuration (EPCS) device involves a factory mode configuration image, which acts as the baseline, and an application mode configuration image, which is used for some specific functions. Specifically, a new application mode image is delivered through the controller area network (CAN) with the improved application layer protocol. Besides, the data flow and data check for transmitting a new image are constructed to combine the transmission reliability with efficiency. The boot sequence copying hardware configuration code and software configuration code is analyzed, and the advanced boot loader is carried out to specify boot address of the application mode image manually. Experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of updating and running a new application mode image, as well as rolling back into the factory mode image when no application mode image is available. This scheme applies a single CAN bus, which makes the system easy to construct and suitable for the field distributed control system