nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

RE: nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

Heidi — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 09:16:01 GMT

Hi, that should work.

The file you need is found in the modem FW zip that you can download from our website here, called "mfw_nrf9160_update_from_1.1.0_to_1.1.1".

Best regards,

Heidi

RE: nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

JVantol — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 20:06:22 GMT

Heidi,

Does the existing fota implementation work for modem fw? It would appear that it could, but from poking around, it's not clear that it does. We've gotten the AWS fota implementation working, and it works great for updating app firmware, but it's not clear that we could just make an aws job like so:

{
"operation": "modem_fw_update",
"fwversion": "v1.1.1",
"size": 298748,
"location": {
    "protocol": "http:",
    "host": "xxx.s3.amazonaws.com",
    "path": "modem_update.bin"
   }
}

Would this work? If so, can you supply the needed differential update file?

If not, I infer from your answer (c) above that you may be able to provide the needed code and information to make this work. We have a need, may we have access to the required info?

RE: nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

Heidi — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 09:57:14 GMT

Hi, I apologize for the delay. I hope we have answered your questions sufficiently. Let me know if you need more information or something is unclear.

1) Nordic's current nrF91 modem FOTA is designed to fix bugs and corrections to keep devices in the field running. These are differential updates that can update minor updates, i.e from 1.1.x to 1.1.x+1. It is correct that this will not cover major updates and feature additions, i.e transitions from 1.1.x to 1.2.x.

We intend to support all certified modem firmware for the lifetime of the product. This means that if a carrier mandates a firmware update Nordic will release a delta image and certify as needed. Delta images are small to limit the cost of updates

We do not have that today, but it is possible to change our FOTA to a serial DFU instead. Take a look at the DFU target library here. It would look something like this:

int img_type = dfu_target_img_type(serial_buffer, len);
dfu_target_init(img_type, file_size); 
while(serial_buffer != empty)

{ dfu_target_write(serial_buffer, len_available_bytes); }

dfu_target_done(true);

In practice, the carriers will not mandate sudden updates unless a bug or issue is discovered. It will first be a process between the end-customer (who is likely to experience the issue first) and Nordic. Then with the carrier in the end, if we conclude a new modem firmware is needed to fix the issue.

If we conclude new modem firmware is needed, we will develop, test and if needed also certify that with the carriers. Once done the delta image is made available to customers either as a mandatory update or not.

Deployment can happen in different ways:

a) Carriers can push the firmware through their device management system. Verizon has this capability

b) Some carriers demand that Nordic have a way to update devices. We are working to get such a solution in place both for specific carriers and as a generic service as different carriers now are forming their requirements

c) We provide it to customers who have their own update server/device management. This could be in networks where carriers do not have specific requirements or customers who want to use their own device management. We are looking into how to create an automated notification system that can also with directly with other device management system.

Again, this depends on the carrier's requirements and capabilities.

RE: nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

Heidi — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 11:56:53 GMT

Hi, I'm still gathering some answers with a deadline by the end of this week. Is that okay?

RE: nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

Jack Panetta — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 17:06:22 GMT

Any updates on this yet?

RE: nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

Jack Panetta — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 20:17:00 GMT

Great, thanks for the heads up!

RE: nRF9160 modem FW FOTA Updates

Heidi — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:36:00 GMT

Hi!

I'll need a few days to gather answers to all the questions as they touch on a lot of different areas of the company.

Best regards,

Heidi