Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates
Keeping Your Product Running Smoothly and Securely
As devices get smarter and more regulated, it's becoming mandatory for manufacturers to deliver remote updates. Beyond satisfying legal requirements, regular remote updates also:
- Improve performance and user experience
- Fix bugs and vulnerabilities
- Add new features to extend product lifespan
Remote updates delivered over wireless networks like Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth® are called Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. In connected applications, OTA updates ensure that changes are applied in a timely manner, even if products are difficult to access.
Adding OTA updates requires careful design and deployment to ensure security and a seamless user experience. To assist you in setting up OTA updates, we provide a comprehensive suite of development tools and industry-leading customer support.
How OTA Works
While there are various methods to implement OTA updates in your design, they generally follow a similar process. The execution of this process is primarily determined by the host microcontroller (MCU) in your design.
MCUs with integrated connectivity provide an all-in-one solution, making them the most direct option. You download your updates and apply them without additional wireless components. MCUs without connectivity can still perform OTA updates with the addition of a wireless companion device. Though this approach requires two components, it offers maximum flexibility since it works with any MCU.
OTA updates can also vary depending on what you choose to update: your application, device firmware or both. Whatever approach you take, you need a wireless device that delivers reliable connectivity to enable seamless updates.
Use the tabs to learn more about our OTA solutions and explore the resources available for implementation.
Types of OTA Updates
- Wireless MCU
- Host MCU + Wireless
- Wireless Companion
Firmware Updates on a Wireless MCU
When it comes to OTA, using a wireless MCU as the primary processor in your design offers a complete solution. The MCU already has wireless connectivity, so you can easily download and apply updates.
Our newest wireless MCU families, the PIC32CX-BZ (Bluetooth and 802.15.4) and PIC32MZ-W1 (Wi-Fi), are designed to support OTA updates, ensuring that they are up-to-date and secure.
Firmware Updates to a Host MCU
For MCUs without integrated connectivity, we offer a wide range of OTA-ready wireless companion devices, available in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with various packages, to fit your design needs. Evaluate the OTA process in your design using our add-on development boards and easy-to-follow documentation.
Firmware Updates on a Wireless Companion Device
In addition to completing OTA updates on host MCUs, our companion devices can also be used to update themselves. We have a wide range of OTA-ready wireless companion devices, including our popular plug-and-play products, to meet your needs. Try out the OTA process for yourself using our easy-to-follow documentation.
