eZ430-Chronos Software Projects
3.6.3 eZ430-Chronos Wireless Update Feature
The wireless update feature allows to perform a firmware update of the eZ430-Chronos wrist module
wirelessly, that is the Chronos module does not need to be opened. The wireless update software should
be seen as an application and not as an universal BSL. It can only be invoked by the main application,
which needs to be created in a certain way (see
). In addition it may must be modified to
comply local RF regulatory. The current consumption during the update process may be significant.
Considering the small battery capacity, the update software is intended to be used only occasionally.
NOTE:
References in the software projects and the menu items of the Chronos module refer to it as
"RF BSL" and "WBSL" for simplicity reasons.
Whenever the wireless update is activated on the Chronos module, it returns to the main
application with a reset, wether or not an update was performed. Time, data, alarm, and
other RAM-based data are lost.
3.6.3.1
Overview and Components of the Wireless Update Feature
As described in
, the wireless update feature allows wireless updates of the eZ430-Chronos
firmware. One of the requirements for the wireless update implementation is to use as little flash memory
as possible. Therefore, a lightweight radio protocol was developed, which resides in the BSL flash area of
the CC430. The software that handles the LCD progress information and the flash memory programming
is downloaded over the air and executed in RAM. Components of the wireless update software include:
•
Radio protocol in BSL memory area of the CC430 (eZ430-Chronos wrist module)
•
The "RAM-based update software" contains LCD and flash write routines (transferred from PC to RAM
of the wrist module)
•
Radio protocol stack of the wireless update on RF access point (CC1111 or MSP43 CC1101)
•
PC application supporting the update functionality
The update procedure works as follows:
1. Wireless update functionality is activated in the PC application, after a valid flash image is selected
2. RF access point is ready and awaits a request from a Chronos module
3. Wireless update is activated on the Chronos module
4. Chronos module downloads LCD and flash write routines (RAM-based update software) from the PC
into the RAM of the CC430. The Chronos module displays "rAN" (=RAM).
5. Chronos module executes the RAM-based update software. This starts the actual code (flash image)
download process. The LCD shows the progress.
6. A reset starts the new application on the Chronos module when the update is finished.
The FAQ in
also list common questions on the wireless update feature.
3.6.3.2
Detailed Description of the Wireless Update Feature
To invoke the wireless update procedure, the main application must call the start of the wireless update
software, which is located at address 0x1000. Therefore, the demo and data logger projects contain an
extra menu item called "rFbSL". When activated, it determines if the battery level of the Chronos module is
sufficient to start a wireless update and then calls address 0x1000. At this time, the user application is no
longer running.
NOTE:
Whenever the wireless update is activated on the Chronos module, it returns to the main
application with a reset, whether or not an update was performed. Time, data, alarm, and
other RAM-based data is lost.
43
SLAU292F – November 2009 – Revised October 2013
eZ430-Chronos Software
Copyright © 2009–2013, Texas Instruments Incorporated