Efficient Runtime Firmware Update Mechanism for LoRaWAN Class A Devices

This paper presents an efficient and secure method for updating firmware in IoT devices using LoRaWAN network resources and communication protocols. The proposed method involves dividing the firmware into fragments, storing them in the application server’s database, and transmitting them to remote IoT devices via downlink messages, without necessitating any changes to the device’s class. This approach can be replicated across any IoT LoRaWAN device, offering a robust and scalable solution for large-scale firmware updates while ensuring data security and integrity. The proposed method significantly reduces the downtime of IoT devices and enhances the energy efficiency of the update process. The method was validated by updating a block in the program memory, associated to a specific functionality of the IoT end device. The associated Intel Hex file was segmented into 17 LoRaWAN downlink frames with an average size of 46 bytes. Upon receiving the complete firmware update, the microcontroller employs self-programming techniques that restrict the update process to specific rows of the program memory, avoiding interruptions or reboots. The update process was successfully completed in 51.33 ms, resulting in a downtime of 16.88 ms. This method demonstrates improved energy efficiency compared to existing solutions while preserving the communication network’s capacity, making it an adequate solution for remote devices in LoRaWAN networks.