Field-programmability: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:26, 31 October 2008

Revision as of 20:57, 21 November 2008

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An [[Electronics|electronic]] device or [[embedded system]] is said to be '''field-programmable''' or '''in-place programmable''' if its [[firmware]] (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.

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{{As of |2007]]|lc=on}}, 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.

== History ==

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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 [[as{{As of |2007]]|lc=on}}. 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.

== Hobbyist opportunities ==

[[{{As of |2007]]}}, many 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]] projects have enabled users to run full-featured Linux distributions on their MP3 players and wireless routers, respectively.