Industry 4.0
Vol. 9 (2024), Issue 3, pg(s) 105-109

DOMINANT TECHNOLOGIES IN “INDUSTRY 4.0”

Preparation and Deployment of Secure Over-The-Air Updates for Embedded Devices: Challenges and Solutions

  • 1 Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the preparation and deployment of secure Over-The-Air (OTA) updates for embedded devices. In the era of intelligent devices, the need for remotely updating software and firmware has become increasingly prevalent. This paper discusses the principles of OTA updates, focusing on the various types used in the field of embedded devices and the complications that need to be resolved for a successful process. Furthermore, it delves into the theoretical description of OTA updates, security mechanisms, and practical implementation. The paper also highlights the main benefits of OTA updates, such as convenience, security, scalability, reduced maintenance costs, and improved performance. Additionally, it addresses the challenges and issues associated with OTA updates, including update reliability, security risks, compatibility, network propagation, and integrity and warranty implications. Overall, this paper serves as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities and importance of OTA updates in the realm of embedded devices.

Keywords

References

  1. K. G. Crowther, R. Upadrashta, and G. Ramachandra, “Securing over-the-air firmware updates (fota) for industrial internet of things (iiot) devices,” in 2022 IEEE International Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST), 2022, pp. 1–8.
  2. J. Bauwens, P. Ruckebusch, S. Giannoulis, I. Moerman, and E. D. Poorter, “Over-the-air software updates in the internet of things: An overview of key principles,” IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 35–41, 2020.
  3. V. Nikic, D. Bortnik, M. Lukic, D. Danilovic, and I. Mezei, “Comparisons of firmware delta updates over the air using wlan and lpwan technologies,” in 2022 30th Telecommunications Forum (TELFOR), 2022, pp. 1–4.
  4. I. Benjamin Bucklin Brown Analog Devices, “Over-the-air (ota) updates in embedded microcontroller applications: Design trade-offs and lessons learned,” online. [Online]. Available: https://www.analog.com/en/analog-dialogue/articles/over-the-air-ota-updates-in-embedded-microcontroller-applications.html
  5. S. Laboratories, “Kba bt 0804: Secure ota dfu,” online. [Online]. Available: https://community.silabs.com/s/article/kba-bt-0804-secure-ota-dfu?language=en_US
  6. S. Schmidt, “Secure firmware updates in the iot,” online, University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna, Tech. Rep., 2023. [Online]. Available: https://sec4dev.io/assets/uploads/slides/Secure-Firmware- Updates-OTA-in-the-IoT_2.pdf
  7. N. Lethaby, “A more secure and reliable ota update architecture for iot devices,” online, Texas Instruments, Tech. Rep., 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.ti.com/lit/wp/sway021/sway021.pdf
  8. T. Authors, “Documentation: Over-the-air firmware and software updates,” online. [Online]. Available: https://thingsboard.io/docs/user-guide/ota-updates
  9. M. T. Inc., “Over-the-air updates,” online. [Online]. Available: https://www.microchip.com/en-us/products/wireless-connectivity/over-the-air-updates
  10. E. S. Company, “Esp32,” online. [Online]. Available: https://www.espressif.com/en/products/socs/esp32
  11. “Esp-idf programming guide,” online. [Online]. Available: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/
  12. “Esp-tls,” online. [Online]. Available: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/api-reference/protocols/esp_tls.html
  13. “Esp-https-ota,” online. [Online]. Available: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/api-reference/system/esp_https_ota.html
  14. “Over the air updates (ota),” online. [Online]. Available: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/api-reference/system/ota.html

Article full text

Download PDF