Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates for Your Car: Keeping Your Ride Up-to-Date
JamesFeb 23, 2024, 09:25 PM
Over-the-Air Technology (OTA), is a technology that uses the air interface of mobile communications to remotely manage data on mobile terminal devices and SIM cards. After years of application and development in the public network, it has become very mature. Network operators use OTA technology to remotely manage SIM cards and provide new mobile business download functions.
Brief Introduction
OTA (Over-the-Air-Technology) refers to the technology of downloading updates and automatic upgrades via network. The application of OTA technology allows mobile communications to not only provide voice and data services, but also download new services. It is a faster wireless technology. It mainly solves a space distance problem, that is, users no longer need to drive to the 4S store and can solve some problems anywhere with a network.
Normally, the content of the OTA update has to be packaged after repeated testing by the manufacturer. The cloud server establishes a connection with the vehicle through the cellular network and transmits the files. The OTA Manager on the vehicle is responsible for managing these update files, confirms when to distribute them to the ECU control units responsible for each module, and feeds back to the server after the update is completed.
Currently, the common OTA upgrades are mainly for multimedia systems, such as navigation, entertainment, comfort configuration etc. Only a few manufacturers like Tesla will upgrade driving assistance, power unit control, and so on.
Principle
To implement OTA functionality, at least two devices are needed, namely the server and the client. There is only one server, and there can be multiple clients. The server is connected to the PC through the serial port, and the image file that needs to be downloaded is stored on the PC. The command executor provides the server with commands and image files. Firstly, the command executor controls the server to broadcast the currently available image file information, and the client compares them after receiving the information. If there is an image that matches with itself, it requests data from the server. After receiving the request, the server demands a fixed size block from the command executor and transmits it to the client on a point-to-point basis. After the transfer of the image is completed, the client checks it and then sends a termination signal after completion.
Difference between SOTA and FOTA
Car FOTA can use the network to update the vehicle's firmware system, which includes but is not limited to the control system of core components such as engines, motors, transmissions, chassis suspension and more. The "f" in FOTA stands for Firmware. Based on SOTA, it updates the firmware system through the network. In fact, OTA upgrades are indeed divided into FOTA and SOTA. FOTA refers to a full car upgrade, which means all systems of the car including the core system can be upgraded. SOTA refers to software upgrade, which means all the systems of the vehicle except the core system can be upgraded!
The essence of FOTA is firmware upgrade, including the upgrading of drivers, systems, functions, applications and so on, which is not directly related to hardware. The applicable terminal range is very wide, it can basically provide upgrade services for all the terminals on the market. Both for telecom operators and terminal equipment manufacturers, large amounts of terminal upgrade demand can be dealt with at the same time by using cluster applications, grid technology and distributed service side. The relationship between FOTA and OS is closely related.
Different OS versions require the development of different FOTA adaptation versions. At the same time, the system upgrade package downloaded by the FOTA module also needs to match closely with the OS. Not only do the hardware drives need debugging, but also version compatibility testing is required. Normally, such an upgrade package is provided by the terminal manufacturer. FOTA primarily ensures that the upgrade package is downloaded and installed to the terminal. In the intelligent era, FOTA cloud upgrades will become a standard configuration for smart terminals.
FOTA can bring a system-level upgrade to the whole vehicle system, which is a car machine software update function higher than OTA. FOTA generally refers to remote vehicle software upgrade, and is an important index to judge smart electric vehicles. Vehicles with FOTA capabilities will be able to: upgrade the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU), car machine system firmware etc.; Users do not need to go to the offline service center or connect external devices; They can get the upgrade package and update via the cloud, achieve rapid iteration of functions, and continuously optimize the vehicle usage experience and driving experience.
If any infringement occurs, please contact us for deletion
![BYD Seal 06 GT is about to debut: a cruising range of 600km and a new pure electric GT choice](https://img4.pcauto.com.cn/pcauto/images/auto_cms/20240823/22032860_800x600.jpg)
BYD Seal 06 GT is about to debut: a cruising range of 600km and a new pure electric GT choice
On August 23, BYD Ocean Network officially announced that its brand new pure electric mid-size sedan is named BYD Seal 06 GT, which will debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in China on August 30. The new car is built on the BYD e 3.0 Evo platform, adopts a new ocean aesthetic design language, and is aimed at the mainstream pure electric mid-size sedan market.The official statement, BYD Seal 06 GT will become the first GT created by the BYD Ocean Network, promoting the development of the seal series i
![605 km range: 2025 BYD Song Plus EV debuts with upgraded smart cabin](https://img4.pcauto.com.cn/pcauto/images/auto_cms/20240819/21961987_800x600.png)
605 km range: 2025 BYD Song Plus EV debuts with upgraded smart cabin
On August 19th, it was learned from BYD official that the 2025 BYD SONG PLUS EV officially went on sale. The new vehicle has launched three configuration models with a price range of 149,800 - 175,800 RMB. As a revised model, the new car has been upgraded in detail, intelligence, and three major aspects of configuration, adding 19-inch two-color wheel hubs, new Xuantian color / sandy rice interior color matching, equipped with intelligent cockpit high-end version -DiLink100 and standard 16 core
![BYD Yangwang U9 officially delivered: 0-100 km/h in 2.36 seconds, top speed of 300 km/h](https://img4.pcauto.com.cn/pcauto/images/auto_cms/20240819/21958101_800x600.jpg)
BYD Yangwang U9 officially delivered: 0-100 km/h in 2.36 seconds, top speed of 300 km/h
On August 16th, we learned from the official of Yangwang Auto that the first car of its second model, Yangwang U9, officially came off the assembly line and is about to start delivery. The new car was launched on February 25th at a price of 1.68 million yuan. Yangwang U9 is positioned as a pure electric sports car with easy four-way platform technology and Yun-N-X intelligent body control system, accelerates from 0-100km/h in 2.36 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 300km/h.On the exterior, th
![Official interior pictures of BYD SEAL 06GT release, the first GT for young people has arrived](https://img4.pcauto.com.cn/pcauto/images/auto_cms/20240828/22099724_800x600.png)
Official interior pictures of BYD SEAL 06GT release, the first GT for young people has arrived
On August 26, BYD officially released the BYD SEAL 06GT interior official map.BYD SEAL 06GT is acclaimed as "the first GT for young people", and is expected to make its official debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in China.As can be seen from the official image, the interior design of the BYD SEAL 06GT still adopts the latest family design style, with a floating-style center control screen, all-LCD meter, three-spoke steering wheel, and electronic gear lever, similar to that on the BYD SEAL 06 DM-i.
![Proton S70 four models configuration comparison: RM 73,800 to RM 94,800, what is the difference?](https://img4.pcauto.com.cn/pcauto/images/auto_cms/20240820/21978669_800x600.jpg)
Proton S70 four models configuration comparison: RM 73,800 to RM 94,800, what is the difference?
Proton S70 is a compact car that was officially launched in November 2023. It was produced at the Proton's Tanjung Malim factory and offers four configurations: Executive, Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X with prices ranging from RM 73,800 to RM 94,800. So what is the specific price difference between these four models? This article will analyze the differences based on hardware configurations to provide you with purchase guidance.2024 Proton S70 1.5T Executive: RM 73,8002024 Proton S70 1.5T Pr
Popular Cars
Car Compare