Bootloaders are used to upgrade firmware on a target device without using an external programmer or debugger. Commonly used with microcontrollers (MCUs), a bootloader contains code that loads and executes an application program. Bootloaders can also perform additional tasks such as validating the code integrity and authenticity.
As embedded devices evolve in both capability and connectivity, designers must enable remote application updates. Embedded connectivity, which is not limited to a single communications protocol, is essential in growing markets such as the Internet of Things (IoT). Remote firmware updates allow for efficient upgrades to existing applications while increasing a product’s useful life. The remote addition of new features to a product can be used to maintain a competitive advantage against new market offerings or unlock existing fee-based premium content. Software updates should also be quickly propagated to ensure reliable system operation.
To take advantage of this capability, bootloader firmware must reside within memory to provide self-programming capability to the MCU. Since developing custom bootloader code can be a complex and time-consuming process, we provide tools that will generate bootloader firmware for your application.