In an automotive ECU, Bootloader is a standalone program that starts executing on power-up. This downloads an application software onto the ECU through a diagnostic communication link. The download feature is essential to reprogram the ECU during development, production, and service.

AGNOSAR Bootloader software is modular and flexible enough that it can be configured to support CAN(CAN-FD) or Ethernet communication bus based on end-user requirement.

AVIN Bootloader software can be preconfigured to support two types of Bootloader architectural requirement-

• PBL and SBL (Type 1 Bootloader) – This Bootloader concept is based on a Primary Bootloader (PBL) and a Secondary Bootloader (SBL). PBL is fixed in the ECU and executes always during power-on before the application is started and is responsible to download SBL onto RAM. SBL includes a flash driver and downloads the application executables parts and configuration files onto the ECU’s flash memory.
• FBL and FLD (Type 2 Bootloader) – The Flash Bootloader (FBL) is permanently placed in a protected boot sector and will execute directly after reset and implements communication stack, UDS, and core engine for flash programming. Flash driver (FLD) will be downloaded by the tester tool before downloading application executables software parts. Optionally it can be copied from encrypted ROM before executing flashing related operations.

Salient Features

• Based on ISO14229-1 UDS and ISO15765-2 Transport Protocols for CAN (CAN-FD) communication
• Based on ISO 14229-1, ISO 14229-2, ISO14229-5 and ISO13400-2 for Ethernet communication
• Easy to integrate with AUTOSAR or Non-AUTOSAR ECU applications
• Reduced download time using pipelined programming, data compression, pipelined verification of downloaded data, and Optimized erasing / flashing process
• Small footprint- 32Kbytes for CAN (CAN-FD), 96Kbytes for Ethernet
• Preconfigured at AVIN for ECU specific use to reduce integration time
• Modular design for easy adaptation to bootloader specifications of various OEMs
• CAN ports – SPC57XX – NXP; RH850 – Renesas; TC27X – Infineon etc.
• Ethernet ports – SPC57XX, S32K – NXP; RH850 – Renesas; TC2XX/TC3XX – Infineon; BCM89103 – Broadcom
• Bootloader programming performance – 25KBPS for CAN communication; 66KBPS for Ethernet communication

The ECU Reprogrammer Tool (ERT) enables the user to update or flash new application on an ECU via the communication channel. It provides a user-friendly UI which facilitates selection of one or more programmable micro-controller specific binary files and transferring them to the Bootloader. The Bootloader software will write them into the intended Physical Memory.

ERT allows users to flash ECUs via the GUI as well as automated flashing over command line in the laboratory, at programming stations, or in the vehicle very efficiently.

• Graphical User Interface backed by configuration file management to store user settings.
• Template based configuration and flashing specifications (protocols and flash sequences) to support multiple OEM Bootloader Specification.
• Live UI and file logging and status tracking of flashing process
• Communication Protocols Supported: CAN, CAN-FD, TCP/IP-DoIP
• The UI provides interface to provide binary S-record files, Configuration of parameters to be used during flashing sequence, security settings and logging.
• The core engine of the UDS Flash Programmer tool ensures the core operation and serves as a back-end to the UI. It also includes encapsulating settings and inputs provided by the User and providing them to the dependent service.
• The Sequencer shall take support of the sequence DLL/JAVA-binary given as input and invoke the steps of the flashing sequence one-by-one.
• Communication Component provides an interface to the Sequencer to send commands and receive responses over UDS.