Field-programmability: Difference between revisions

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{{onesource|date=September 2022}}<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Netgear mr814v2 upgrade screen.png|thumb|right|The [[Netgear]] MR814 [[wi-fi|wireless]] [[home gateway]] can be '''field-programmed''' from a web interface; its firmware consists of [[eCos]] operating system images stored in NAND flash.]] -->

An [[Electronics|electronic]] device or [[embedded system]] is said to be '''field-programmable''' or '''in-place programmable''' if its [[firmware]] (usually stored in [[non-volatile memory]], such as [[Read-only memory|ROM]]) can be modified "in the field,", without disassembling the device or returning it to its manufacturer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Josh |date=2024-06-03 |title=Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) vs. microcontrollers: What's the difference? |url=https://www.ibm.com/blog/fpga-vs-microcontroller/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=IBM Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>

This is often an extremely desirable feature, as it can reduce the cost and turnaround time for replacement of [[computer bug|buggy]] or obsolete firmware. For example, [[as of 2007]], a [[digital camera]] vendor could distribute firmware supporting a new image [[file format]] by instructing consumers to [[download]] a new firmware [[ROM image|image]] to the camera via a [[USB]] cable.

== Motivation ==

This is often an extremely desirable feature, as it can reduce the cost and turnaround time for replacement of [[computer bug|buggy]] or obsolete firmware. For example, [[as of 2007]], a [[digital camera]] vendor could distribute firmware supporting a new image format by instructing consumers to [[download]] a new firmware [[ROM image|image]] to the camera via a [[USB]] cable.

== History ==

When a device's firmware is stored in [[mask ROM]] or [[one-time programmable]] PROM, it cannot be modified without physically replacing the [[integrated circuit]], so such a device cannot be field-programmable in the modern sense. [[EPROM|Erasable PROM]]-based firmware can be erased and reprogrammed, but only after lengthy exposure to a high-intensity ultraviolet light source.

Thus, field-programmable devices were not practical until the invention of [[EEPROM]] and [[flash memory]] in the 1980s. Early EEPROMs could only be reprogrammed with expensive, dedicated [[programmer (hardware)|programmer hardware]], since they required high voltages (10-20&nbsp;[[Volt|V]], compared to typical 3-5&nbsp;V [[logic level]]s) and there was no standard programming [[protocolCommunication (computing)protocol|protocol]]; as a result, field-programming was mostly performed by professional technicians and service engineers. However, as of the early 2000s, many devices were expressly designed to be field-programmed by ordinary consumers. Several developments have made this possible:

* Modern [[EEPROM]] and [[Flash memory|flash]] devices contain internal [[charge pump]]s which eliminate the need for high voltages.

* Most consumers have access to [[personal computer]]s, which can perform arbitrary programming protocols.

* Ubiquitous [[Internet]] [[Internet access|access]] provides a convenient means to rapidly distribute firmware images.

Standard protocols for programming non-volatile memory devices have emerged. For example, [[JTAG]] may be used to read and program the EEPROM and Flash chips in many [[consumer electronicelectronics]]s devices. Many such devices include JTAG [[JTAG header]]s internally for factory programming and [[quality control|factory testing]], even though no external [[electrical connector|connector]] is exposed in the finished product.

== Programmable logic ==

The 1980s saw the introduction of '''[[programmable logic]] devices''' (PLDs) such as [[Programmable Array Logic|PALs]], [[programmable logic array|PLA]]s, and [[Complex programmable logic device|CPLDs]]. These are [[integrated circuit]]s which can implement nearly arbitrary [[digital logic]] functions based on firmware-like information stored in non-volatile memory.

Thus, devices containing PLDs may be considered as field-programmable ''hardware'', while EEPROM and flash memory act as storage for field-programmable ''software''.

[[Field-programmable gate array]]s (FPGAs) were invented in 1984, and are the most advanced kind of programmable logic available today. These high-capacity devices may implement extremely complex logic, such as [[microprocessor]]s or [[digital signal processor]]s. Today, they are a great aid in the development and rapid deployment of digital electronic devices. FPGAs are often used for [[FPGA prototyping|prototyping hardware designs]] and [[hardware acceleration]].

== Hobbyist opportunities ==

[[As of 2007]], manyMany consumer electronic devices (including [[MP3 player]]s, [[broadband router]]s, [[cell phone]]s, and digital cameras) contain embedded systems based on [[general-purpose computer|general-purpose]] [[microprocessor]]s and [[microcontroller]]s. Most of these devices contain field-programmable components which can be located and accessed by knowledgeable [[hardware hacker]]s. Field-programming allows hobbyists to replace a device's firmware with new code that can modify or extend its capabilities.

Numerous online communities have sprung up around devices found to be particularly conducive to such modification. For example, the [[iPodLinux]] and OpenWRT[[OpenWrt]] projects have enabled users to run full-featured Linux distributions on their MP3 players and wireless routers, respectively.

While hobbyist field-programming is theoretically possible in practically any embedded system today, in practice efforts to modify consumer devices are often hampered by lack of [[documentation]] for the [[Electronic hardware|hardware]].

== See also ==

Numerous online communities have sprung up around devices found to be particularly conducive to such modification. For example, the iPodLinux and OpenWRT projects have enabled users to run full-featured Linux distributions on their MP3 players and wireless routers, respectively.

* [[Firmware]]

* [[JTAG]]

*[[Field-programmable gate array]] (FPGA)

*[[Field-programmable analog array]] (FPAA) - like FPGA but with [[Analog signal|analog signals]]

** [[Field-programmable RF|Field-programmable radio frequency]] devices

==References==

While hobbyist field-programming is theoretically possible in practically any embedded system today, in practice efforts to modify consumer devices are often hampered by lack of [[documentation]] for the [[hardware]].

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/usb.audio UsbAudioHowTo]: a guide to converting a [[wireless router]] into an [[Internet radio]] player, from the [http://www.openwrt.org OpenWrt] project

[[Category:Digital electronics]]

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